But here you could be well content to stand
Spectators only, while ten Grecian troops
Should wage before you the wide-wasting war. 410
To whom Ulysses, with resentful tone
Dark-frowning, thus replied.  What words are these
Which have escaped thy lips; and for what cause,
Atrides, hast thou call’d me slow to fight? 
When we of Greece shall in sharp contest clash 415
With you steed-tamer Trojans, mark me then;
Then thou shalt see (if the concerns of war
So nearly touch thee, and thou so incline)
The father of Telemachus, engaged
Among the foremost Trojans.  But thy speech 420
Was light as is the wind, and rashly made. 
When him thus moved he saw, the monarch smiled
Complacent, and in gentler terms replied. 
Laertes’ noble son, for wiles renown’d! 
Short reprimand and exhortation short 425
Suffice for thee, nor did I purpose more. 
For I have known thee long, that thou art one
Of kindest nature, and so much my friend
That we have both one heart.  Go therefore thou,
Lead on, and if a word have fallen amiss, 430
We will hereafter mend it, and may heaven
Obliterate in thine heart its whole effect! 
He ceased, and ranging still along the line,
The son of Tydeus, Diomede, perceived,
Heroic Chief, by chariots all around 435
Environ’d, and by steeds, at side of whom
Stood Sthenelus, the son of Capaneus. 
Him also, Agamemnon, King of men,
In accents of asperity reproved. 
Ah, son of Tydeus, Chief of dauntless heart 440
And of equestrian fame! why standest thou
Appall’d, and peering through the walks of war? 
So did not Tydeus.  In the foremost fight
His favorite station was, as they affirm
Who witness’d his exploits; I never saw 445
Or met him, but by popular report
He was the bravest warrior of his day. 
Yet came he once, but not in hostile sort,
To fair Mycenae, by the godlike prince
Attended, Polynices, at what time 450
The host was called together, and the siege
Was purposed of the sacred city Thebes. 
Earnest they sued for an auxiliar band,
Which we had gladly granted, but that Jove
By unpropitious tokens interfered. 455
So forth they went, and on the reedy banks
Arriving of Asopus, there thy sire
By designation of the Greeks was sent
Ambassador, and enter’d Thebes.  He found
In Eteocles’ palace numerous guests, 460
The sons of Cadmus feasting, among whom,
Although a solitary stranger, stood
Thy father without fear, and challenged forth
Their best to cope with him in manly games. 
Them Tydeus vanquish’d easily, such aid 465
Pallas vouchsafed him.  Then the spur-arm’d