ng the camp of the Trojans; or
did some god, meeting, supply you with them? They are very like unto the
rays of the sun. I indeed always mingle with the Trojans, nor can I say
that I remain at the ships, although being an old warrior: yet have I
never beheld nor remarked such horses, but I think that some god,
meeting you, hath given them. For cloud-compelling Jove loves you both,
and the daughter of aegis-bearing Jove, azure-eyed Minerva."

But him crafty Ulysses answering addressed: "O Nestor, offspring of
Neleus, great glory of the Greeks, a god indeed, if willing, could
easily have given better horses even than these, since they (the gods)
are much more powerful. But those steeds about which thou inquirest, old
man, are Thracian, lately arrived, and valiant Diomede slew their lord,
and beside him twelve companions, all of the bravest. The thirteenth, a
spy, we killed, near the ships, whom Hector sent forth, and the other
illustrious Trojans, to be a spy, forsooth, [of our army]."

Thus saying, he drove the solid-hoofed steeds across the ditch,
exulting, and with him went the other Greeks rejoicing. But when they
came to the well-constructed tent of Diomede, they tied the steeds by
the skilfully-cut reins to the horses' stall, where stood the
swift-footed steeds of Diomede, eating sweet corn. In the stern of his
vessel Ulysses laid the bloody spoils of Dolon, until they could present
them as a sacred gift to Minerva. Then having gone into the sea, they
washed off the abundant sweat from around their legs, their neck, and
thighs. But when the wave of the sea had washed away the abundant sweat
from their bodies, and they were refreshed in their dear heart, entering
the well-polished baths, they bathed. But having bathed and anointed
themselves with rich oil, they sat down to a repast; and drawing forth
sweet wine from a full bowl, they poured it out in libation to Minerva.

BOOK THE ELEVENTH.

ARGUMENT.

Agamemnon distinguishes himself, but, being wounded, retires from the
field. Diomede is wounded by Paris: Ulysses by Socus. Ajax and Menelaus
then go to the relief of Ajax, and Eurypylus, who had joined them, is
shot in the thigh by Paris, who also wounds Machaon. Nestor conveys
Machaon from the field. Achilles sends Patroclus to the tent of Nestor,
who exhorts Patroclus to engage in battle, assuming the armour of
Achilles.

But Aurora was rising