Against Tydides.  Them the noble son 280
Of Capaneus observed, and turning quick
His speech to Diomede, him thus address’d. 

    Tydides, Diomede, my heart’s delight! 

Two warriors of immeasurable force
In battle, ardent to contend with thee, 285
Come rattling on.  Lycaon’s offspring one,
Bow-practised Pandarus; with whom appears
AEneas; he who calls the mighty Chief
Anchises father, and whom Venus bore. 
Mount—­drive we swift away—­lest borne so far 290
Beyond the foremost battle, thou be slain. 

    To whom, dark-frowning, Diomede replied

Speak not of flight to me, who am disposed
To no such course.  I am ashamed to fly
Or tremble, and my strength is still entire; 295
I cannot mount.  No.  Rather thus, on foot,
I will advance against them.  Fear and dread
Are not for me; Pallas forbids the thought. 
One falls, be sure; swift as they are, the steeds
That whirl them on, shall never rescue both. 300
But hear my bidding, and hold fast the word. 
Should all-wise Pallas grant me my desire
To slay them both, drive not my coursers hence,
But hook the reins, and seizing quick the pair
That draw AEneas, urge them from the powers 305
Of Troy away into the host of Greece. 
For they are sprung from those which Jove to Tros
In compensation gave for Ganymede;
The Sun himself sees not their like below. 
Anchises, King of men, clandestine them 310
Obtain’d, his mares submitting to the steeds
Of King Laomedon.  Six brought him foals;
Four to himself reserving, in his stalls
He fed them sleek, and two he gave his son: 
These, might we win them, were a noble prize. 315

    Thus mutual they conferr’d; those Chiefs, the while,

With swiftest pace approach’d, and first his speech
To Diomede Lycaon’s son address’d. 

    Heroic offspring of a noble sire,

Brave son of Tydeus! false to my intent 320
My shaft hath harm’d thee little.  I will now
Make trial with my spear, if that may speed. 

    He said, and shaking his long-shadow’d spear,

Dismiss’d it.  Forceful on the shield it struck
Of Diomede, transpierced it, and approach’d 325
With threatening point the hauberk on his breast. 
Loud shouted Pandarus—­Ah nobly thrown! 
Home to thy bowels.  Die, for die thou must,
And all the glory of thy death is mine. 

    Then answer thus brave Diomede return’d 330

Undaunted.  I am whole.  Thy cast was short. 
But ye desist not, as I plain perceive,
Till one at least extended on the plain
Shall sate the God of battles with his blood. 

    He said and threw.  Pallas the spear herself 335