d heretofore,
Now aid me also. Bring within the reach 140
Of my swift spear, Oh grant me to strike through
The warrior who hath check'd my course, and boasts
The sun's bright beams for ever quench'd to me![8]
He prayed, and Pallas heard; she braced his limbs,
She wing'd him with alacrity divine, 145
And, standing at his side, him thus bespake.
Now Diomede, be bold! Fight now with Troy.
To thee, thy father's spirit I impart
Fearless; shield-shaking Tydeus felt the same.
I also from thine eye the darkness purge 150
Which dimm'd thy sight[9] before, that thou may'st know
Both Gods and men; should, therefore, other God
Approach to try thee, fight not with the powers
Immortal; but if foam-born Venus come,
Her spare not. Wound her with thy glittering spear. 155
So spake the blue-eyed Deity, and went,
Then with the champions in the van again
Tydides mingled; hot before, he fights
With threefold fury now, nor less enraged
Than some gaunt lion whom o'erleaping light 160
The fold, a shepherd hath but gall'd, not kill'd,
Him irritating more; thenceforth the swain
Lurks unresisting; flies the abandon'd flock;
Heaps slain on heaps he leaves, and with a bound
Surmounting all impediment, escapes; 165
Such seem'd the valiant Diomede incensed
To fury, mingling with the host of Troy.
Astynoues and Hypenor first he slew;
One with his brazen lance above the pap
He pierced, and one with his huge falchion smote 170
Fast by the key-bone,[10] from the neck and spine
His parted shoulder driving at a blow.
Them leaving, Polyides next he sought
And Abas, sons of a dream-dealing seer,
Eurydamas; their hoary father's dreams 175
Or not interpreted, or kept concealed,
Them saved not, for by Diomede they died.
Xanthus and Thoeon he encounter'd next,
Both sons of Phaenops, sons of his old age,
Who other heir had none of all his wealth, 180
Nor hoped another, worn with many years.
Tydides slew them both; nor aught remain'd
To the old man but sorrow for his sons
For ever lost, and strangers were his heirs.
Two sons of Priam in one chariot borne 185
Echemon next, and Chromius felt his hand
Resistless. As a lion on the herd
Leaping,