1. Forgive me, for my ransom is abundant gold
Steel forged and crucified

2. While my father secures your wealth,
Know that I still live aboard the fleet

3. So Odysseus wisely answered:
Stay calm and fear no harm

4. Tell me truthfully, have you come alone
While all others slept and darkness veiled the night?

5. Did you hope to plunder or did Hector send you
To watch our camp, a prisoner of war?

6. Or did you come, by chance, searching blindly
So he answered, lowly and distressed:

7. Nay, but Hector tempted me and left me to my plight
Preparing gifts to bring back secrets, should I spy

8. The horses of Achilles and his chariot, made
Of solid, gleaming steel, assembled with great skill

9. To go, and in the gloomy night make hurried pace
To watch the enemy’s position and bring back news:

10. Have your ships been well protected as before
Or did misfortune make your spirits bend and break?

11. Has sickness kept you idle, avoiding the clash
Relying on escape and fleeing for relief?

12. So Odysseus smiled and said yes, for you hoped
For gifts to ease your spying trouble

13. But this, alas, no mortal man
Could overpower those steeds except

14. Brave Achilles, born of goddess fair
Now speak the truth and tell me where lies Hector

15. His weapons and his horses and the troops
Of Troy, did you observe them lying close at hand

16. Standing to arms, alert for coming strife
Or are they headed home since they have wrought

17. Their blades among us, sharp like flowing flames?
Then Dolon spoke: I will report correctly

18. All that you asked, and more, to ease your mind
Hector, from battle-lust, withdrew, apart

19. With chosen captains, and procession made
There, in assembly sat the men of council

20. Around the tomb of godlike Ilos, blessed
No sentries stood around them unafraid

21. But still their watchful army kept aloof
And he placed a line of guards to stay awake

22. Stay vigilant and eager for the fight
Behind them were no wives or little ones

23. To care for, so they left them safe at home
And Troy assumed the burden of patrol

24. While friends enjoyed their watch, at pleasant ease
Then Odysseus asked: Were they together

25. Or each tribe apart, at their post to stand?
And after lots were cast, this he divulged

26. In cliffside camp dwell the Karians, tired but tucked
There too the Pheonian archers, with Phalasgian foot

27. And Kaukones, together resting in repose
The Lykians then and Mysians, while upon the hill

28. Pitches Thymbrean cavalry to lie atop the copse
The Maeion horsemen of Mionessus settled there

29. Amid the thickets dwell famed Mysian troops
But why this questioning, unless you wish

30. To infiltrate their posts, do not let greed misguide
Lies nearest to the wall in place well fit

31. And Rhesus is their king. I cooled his steeds
As white as snow, as rushing storms sea foam!

32. With splendid chariot shining round the car
Swifter than winds no mortal could e’er own

33. It should adorn a god, majestic, bright!
Now let me bind you, go and see yourselves

34. The ships, and find if lies were told or truth
Then Diomedes shouted: Let him not escape!

35. Through him our glory comes, do not allow retreat
If you report to us the perfect spot, well and good

36. Then live in freedom or accept some worthy price
But if you play us false then we shall take

37. Your life amid the rout, to swing and strike the blade