By those steeds drawn, save Dolon; on my oath 390
I make them thine; enjoy them evermore. 

    He said, and falsely sware, yet him assured. 

Then Dolon, instant, o’er his shoulder slung
His bow elastic, wrapp’d himself around
With a grey wolf-skin, to his head a casque 395
Adjusted, coated o’er with ferret’s felt,
And seizing his sharp javelin, from the host
Turn’d right toward the fleet, but was ordain’d
To disappoint his sender, and to bring
No tidings thence.  The throng of Trojan steeds 400
And warriors left, with brisker pace he moved,
When brave Ulysses his approach perceived,
And thus to Diomede his speech address’d. 

    Tydides! yonder man is from the host;

Either a spy he comes, or with intent 405
To spoil the dead.  First, freely let him pass
Few paces, then pursuing him with speed,
Seize on him suddenly; but should he prove
The nimbler of the three, with threatening spear
Enforce him from his camp toward the fleet, 410
Lest he elude us, and escape to Troy. 

    So they; then, turning from the road oblique,

Among the carcases each laid him down. 
Dolon, suspecting nought, ran swiftly by.
[15]But when such space was interposed as mules 415
Plow in a day (for mules the ox surpass
Through fallows deep drawing the ponderous plow)
Both ran toward him.  Dolon at the sound
Stood; for he hoped some Trojan friends at hand
From Hector sent to bid him back again. 420
But when within spear’s cast, or less they came,
Knowing them enemies he turn’d to flight
Incontinent, whom they as swift pursued. 
As two fleet hounds sharp fang’d, train’d to the chase,
Hang on the rear of flying hind or hare, 425
And drive her, never swerving from the track,
Through copses close; she screaming scuds before;
So Diomede and dread Ulysses him
Chased constant, intercepting his return. 
And now, fast-fleeting to the ships, he soon 430
Had reach’d the guard, but Pallas with new force
Inspired Tydides, lest a meaner Greek
Should boast that he had smitten Dolon first,
And Diomede win only second praise. 
He poised his lifted spear, and thus exclaim’d. 435

    Stand! or my spear shall stop thee.  Death impends

At every step; thou canst not ’scape me long. 

    He said, and threw his spear, but by design,

Err’d from the man.  The polish’d weapon swift
O’er-glancing his right shoulder, in the soil 440
Stood fixt, beyond him.  Terrified he stood,
Stammering, and sounding through his lips the clash
Of chattering teeth, with visage deadly wan. 
They panting rush’d on him, and both his hands
Seized fast; he wept, and suppliant them bespake.