HECTOR True to his name in sooth, his country's friend is Dolon.
Thy father's house was famed of yore, but thou hast made it doubly
so.
DOLON So must I toil, but for my pains a meet reward should I receive.
For set a price on any deed, and then and there it gives to it a double
grace.
HECTOR Yea, that is but fair; I cannot gainsay it. Name any prize
for thyself save the sway I bear.
DOLON I covet not thy toilsome sovereignty.
HECTOR Well then, marry a daughter of Priam and become my good brother.
DOLON Nay, I care not to wed amongst those beyond my station.
HECTOR There's gold, if this thou'lt claim as thy guerdon.
DOLON Gold have I in my home; no sustenance lack I.
HECTOR What then is thy desire of all that Ilium stores within her?
DOLON Promise me my gift when thou dost conquer the Achaeans.
HECTOR I will give it thee; do thou ask anything except the captains
of the fleet.
DOLON Slay them; I do not ask thee to keep thy hand off Menelaus.
HECTOR Is it the son of Oileus thou wouldst ask me for?
DOLON Ill hands to dig and delve are those mid luxury nursed.
HECTOR Whom then of the Acheans wilt thou have alive to hold to ransom?
DOLON I told thee before, my house is stored with gold.
HECTOR Why then, thou shalt come and with thine own hands choose
out some spoil.
DOLON Nail up the spoils for the gods on their temple walls.
HECTOR Prithee, what higher prize than these wilt ask me for?
DOLON Achilles' coursers. Needs must the prize be worth the toil
when one stakes one's life on Fortune's die.
HECTOR Ah! but thy wishes clash with mine anent those steeds; for
of immortal stock, they and their sires before them, are those horses
that bear the son of Peleus on his headlong course. Them did king
Poseidon, ocean's god, break and give to Peleus, so runs the legend-yet,
for I did urge thee on, I will not break my word; to thee will I give
Achilles' team, to add a splendour to thy house.
DOLON I thank thee; in receiving them I avow I am taking a fairer
gift than any other Phrygian for my bravery. Yet thee it needs not
to be envious; countless joys besides this will glad thy heart in
thy kingship o'er this land. (Exit HECTOR.)
CHORUS Great the enterprise, and great the boon thou designest to
receive. Happy, ay, happy wilt thou be, if thou succeed; fair the
fame thy toil shall win. Yet to wed with a prince's sister were a
distinction high. On Heaven's decrees let Justice keep her eye! what
man can give thou hast, it seems, in full.
DOLON Now will I set forth, and going within my house will don such
garb as suits, and then will hasten to the Argive fleet.
CHORUS Why, what dress in place of this wilt thou assume?
DOLON Such as suits my task and furtive steps.
CHORUS One should ever learn wisdom from the wise; tell me wherewith
thou wilt drape thy body.
DOLON I will fasten a wolf skin about my back, and o'er my head put
the brute's gaping jaws; then fitting its fore-feet to my hands and
its hind-feet to my legs I will go on all-fours in imitation of its
gait to puzzle the enemy when I approach their trenches and barriers
round the ships. But whenever I come to a deserted spot, on two feet
will I walk; such is the ruse I have decided on.
CHORUS May Hermes, Maia's child, escort thee safely there and back,
prince of tricksters as he is! Thou knowest what thou hast to do;
good luck is all thou needest now.
DOLON I shall return in safety, and bring to thee the head of Odysseus
when I have slain him, or maybe the son of Tydeus, and with this clear
proof before thee thou shalt avow that Dolon went unto the Argive
fleet; for, ere the dawn appear, I will win back home with bloodstained
hand. (Exit DOLON.)
CHORUS O Apollo, blest godhead, lord of Thymbra and of Delos, who