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The English Works of Thomas Hobbes of Malmesbury; Now First Collected and Edited by Sir William Molesworth, Bart., (London: Bohn, 1839-45). 11 vols. Vol. 10.

Author: Homer
Translator: Thomas Hobbes
Editor: Sir William Molesworth

Part of: The English Works of Thomas Hobbes, 11 vols.

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LIB. X.

Encounter of the scouts by night.
All night the princes of the Argives slept,
Save Agamemnon, who could take no rest,
But with unquiet thoughts was waking kept,
And casting for his safety what was best.
5And frequent as the lightning flashes are

When Jove is making rain or hail i’ th’ skies,
Or somewhere punishing the proud by war;
So frequent then were Agamemnon’s sighs.
And when the fires he saw upon the plain
10Made by the foe, and th’ acclamation

And shouts he heard, he wondered. But again
When he his ships and people look’d upon,
Then by the roots he pluck’d off from his head
Handfuls of hair, and sigh’d and groaned more;
15And thought it best then to be counselled

By Nestor how he might himself restore.
And rising up, his coat he first puts on,
And to his smooth white feet his shoes he tied;
And then, above his coat, he cast upon
20His back a great and tawny lion’s hide.

And Menelaus, too, that waking lay
And trembling in his bed all night, for fear
The Greeks that for his sake were come to Troy
Should fall into some great disaster there,
25Rose up and to his brother’s tent went in.

A spear he had in’s hand, and armed was,
Having upon his back a leopard’s skin,
And on his head a helmet good of brass.
And said to Agamemnon, Brother, why
30So early up? Have you a mind to send

Into the army of the foe some spy?
I fear you will not find so bold a friend
As thither dares to go i’ th’ night alone.
Brother, said Agamemnon, you and I
35Must better counsel take than we have done,

Since Jove now favoureth the enemy,
And takes in Hector’s sacrifice delight.
For so much harm so soon was never done,
As he to us has done in one day’s fight;
40Yet nor of God nor Goddess is the son.

His this day’s acts the Greeks will ne’er forget.
But go you to the princes quickly. Run.
Call up Idomeneus the King of Crete,
And the great Ajax son of Telamon,
45While I call Nestor up and bring him to

The place which is appointed for the guard,
T’ instruct the men with what they have to do,
Because his counsel they will most regard.
For by his son the watch commanded is,
50And with him we Meriones have join’d.

Then Menelaus farther ask’d him this,
That he might fully understand his mind,
When they are call’d, what next is to be done?
Must I stay here till you come back again,
55Or after you about the army run?

No, no, said he, where you are now, remain.
But going call upon each one aloud,
And by the name he from his father takes,
And praise them all, let them not think you proud;
60Pain is no shame when ’tis for our own sakes.

This said, they part, and Agamemnon went
To seek out Nestor; whom he found a-bed,
And all his armour by him in his tent,
His shield, two spears, and helmet for his head,
65And belt of many colours finely wrought,

Which always he was wont in war to use
When he his people unto battle brought.
No labour would he on his age excuse.
Now raised on his elbow, Who, said he,
70Are you that walk abroad when others sleep?

Stay there, I say, and come no nearer me;
Until your name you tell, at distance keep.
Seek you some officer or camerade?
I Agamemnon am, said he, your friend,
75Whom Jove to bear such miseries hath made,

As while I live will never have an end;
And in my bed no sleep at all I take
For fear of some unfortunate event.
Unsettled is my heart, my limbs all shake,
80And in this plight I wand’red to your tent:

And now, I pray you, since you waking lie
Come with me to the watch; for since the foe
Unto our wall encamped is so nigh,
They charge us may by night for aught we know.
85To this old Nestor answer made and said,

Think not, Atrides, Jove will all things do
As they are now in Hector’s fancy laid?
For harder work he would be put unto
If we Achilles can but once appease.
90But go, I’ll follow you, and call upon

Tydides and Ulysses if you please,
Ajax the less, and Meges Phyleus’ son.
I wish some other man of nimbler feet
Were to great Ajax sent to make him rise,
95And to Idomeneus the King of Crete,

Whose quarter from this place a great way lies.
But Menelaus I intend to chide,
That sleeps and leaves the work to you alone.
’Tis no fit time within his tent t’ abide,
100But to the princes should himself have gone.

To Nestor Agamemnon then replied,
O Nestor, he is often negligent,
And often I have pray’d you him to chide.
Yet ’tis not sloth; but my commandement
105He always looks for, though there be no cause.

And yet tonight he has prevented me.
For up and arm’d before me now he was;
And when he came I sent him presently
To call up Ajax and the King of Crete.
110And at the watch we both of them shall see,

Where I appointed have the rest to meet.
Nestor again replied. ’Tis well, said he,
The Greeks will of him have a better thought,
And readier obedience he will find.
115This said, he put himself into his coat,

And tied his shoes on, and his cloak well lined,
And took his spear in hand. Then on they went
Among the Argive ships upon the sand.
And when they came unto Ulysses’ tent,
120To call and waken him, they made a stand.

And Nestor, with his voice stretch’d to the height,
Call’d to him by his name. Ulysses straight
Came forth and said, Why come you in the night?
Your bus’ness sure must be of mighty weight.
125O Laërtiades, said Nestor then,

Take it not ill. Such is our misery.
But come with us to call up other men,
That we may counsel take to fight or fly.
Ulysses then return’d into his tent,
130And on his shoulders hung his painted shield;

And with them first to Diomed he went,
Whom they found armed in the open field,
His soldiers sleeping lay about him round,
And on his buckler each one had his head,
135The butt-ends of their spears fix’d in the ground,

Whereof the points like lightning glittered.
But he himself slept on a good cow-hide,
His head upon a gaudy carpet laid.
Then Nestor came and standing at his side
140Awak’d him with his foot, and to him said,

Awake, Tydides, hear you not how nigh
The Trojans are encamped to the fleet?
This said, Tydides leap’d up suddenly,
And when he raised was upon his feet,
145Nestor, said he, unhappy restless man,

That aged as you are take not your ease,
When younger men there are that better can
Call up the Argive princes if they please.
’Tis true, said Nestor, I have at my tent
150Sons of my own, and others can command,

Who might upon such errands have been sent,
But that upon the very brink we stand
Of life and death. And since you pity me,
Call little Ajax up, and Phyleus’ son.
155For young you are, and can do’t easily.

Tydides then a lion’s skin puts on
Tawny and reaching to his heels, and then
Into his hand he took a heavy spear,
And out he went and called up those men.
160When to the watch they come together were,

The captains of the watch were not asleep,
But all were sitting at their arms awake.
As dogs that guarding are a fold of sheep
Hearing the noise the hounds and hunters make,
165When in the woods they chase some savage beast,

And nearer still and nearer hear the cries,
They doubt the worst, and cannot take their rest,
But list’ning stand and sleep forsakes their eyes;
So watchfully spent they the tedious night,
170And ever when of feet they heard the tread

’Twixt them and Troy, that way they turn’d their sight;
So much they Hector’s coming on did dread.
When Nestor coming by, observ’d them had,
So, so, said he, brave lads, continue so,
175And give no cause to Hector to be glad.

He and the princes then together go
(All that to counsel had been made to rise,
Except Meriones and Nestor’s son,
Whom they thought worthy with them to advise)
180And part the ditch, and sitting down upon

The place to which they were pursued before
By Hector, who retiring thence, left clear
The ground from dead men’s carcasses and gore,
Of what they next should do consulted there.
185First Nestor spake. Who dares (said he) to go

Unto the Trojan camp that lies so near,
And kill, or bring thence some outlying foe?
Or what they shall resolve upon to hear?
Whether (since they have worsted us) to stay
190So near us, or retire into the town.

If this he do and safely come away,
He to himself acquire will great renown,
And by each one that has of ships command,
He for his service shall be well requited.
195Each one an ewe and lamb shall give him, and

He to our public feastings be invited.
This said, they paus’d awhile, but by and by
Tydides rising spake. Nestor, said he,
To go into the Trojan camp dare I.
200But ’twould be best some other went with me,

More hope and courage is where there are two;
What one observeth not the other may.
A man alone can little see or do,
And single judgments see but little way;
205At these words many with him would have gone,

Ajaxes, both the greater and the less,
And stout Antilochus, old Nestor’s son,
And Menelaus and Meriones.
But most of all Ulysses long’d to see
210What projects in the Trojan camp were laid.

For none adventure farther durst than he.
Then to Tydides Agamemnon said,
Tydides, whom I love, now choose your man;
Regard not birth nor sceptres, but the cause.
215Take him that you think best assist you can,

And this he said in fear for Menelaus.
To this Tydides answer made again,
Since of my fellows I the choice must make,
Ulysses I prefer before all men,
220And him for my assistant I will take;

So much in diligence he doth excel,
And so much care Athena of him has,
That I believe we both should come off well
Though through a flaming fire we were to pass.
225Then, said Ulysses, Speak no more of me,

Nor good nor ill. The Argives know me well.
Let’s go. Two-thirds o’ th’ night are spent, you see,
As any man that sees the stars can tell.
Then put they on their arms. And Thrasymed
230Gave Diomed a sword (who had forgot

To bring his own), and to defend his head
A leather cap without crest, call’d a pot.
Meriones unto Ulysses gave
His bow and quiver, sword and dogskin cap,
235Pleated with thongs within, his head to save

If need should be in combat, from mishap.
For ’twixt the leathers tough inserted were
Guards of thick felt; of boar’s teeth was the brim.
Eleon was the first that did it wear,
240But taken by Autolycus from him,

And given ’twas unto Amphidamus,
Which he to Molon gave that was his guest,
And to Meriones then left it was,
And now upon Ulysses’ head did rest.
245And being both thus armed, forth they went

And by the way a heron dexter flew,
A lucky sign, and by Athena sent,
As by the sound made by her wings they knew.
Ulysses then unto the Goddess pray’d,
250Hail virgin daughter of almighty Jove,

That all my labour seest, and giv’st me aid,
Now more than ever let me find your love.
Grant me that I some good exploit may do
To vex the Trojans, and come safe from thence.
255And then Tydides pray’d unto her too.

Celestial maid, that with my father went’st
When he ambassador to Thebes was sent
With words of peace, and coming back achieved
By your assistance and encouragement
260Such noble acts as scarce will be believed,

If you will aid me as you aided him,
O Goddess, I will to you sacrifice
A heifer, and with gold her horns I’ll trim.
This said, their suit the Goddess not denies.
265When their devotion now was at an end,

Away they went, ’mongst carcases and blood,
Like lions that on slaughter love t ’attend.
Nor Hector and the Trojans idle stood,
But call’d a council of the chiefs, and said,
270Who’s he will undertake what I’ll propound,

And for his pains be honourably paid,
And for his valour far and near renown’d?
I give him will two horses and a coach,
The best that shall be taken from the foe,
275That will unto the Argive fleet approach,

And bring me word what they intend to do;
Whether their ships they guard as heretofore,
Or mean to quit the siege at Ilium.
And beaten thus, haul down their ships from shore,
280And ere their work be finished, go home.

This said, they silent sat. But one there was,
Dolon by name, the squire Eumedes’ son,
That master was of store of gold and brass,
A sorry fellow, but that well could run.
285Hector, said he, I’ll to the fleet approach.

Swear now by Jove, and hold your sceptre high,
I shall Achilles’ horses have and coach,
And I for you will be a faithful spy.
For down to Agamemnon’s tent I’ll go,
290Where they consult whether to fight or fly:

For there their resolution I shall know.
Then Hector held his sceptre up on high.
O Jove, betwixt us witness bear, said he,
No Trojan shall these horses have but you,
295And yours they shall perpetually be.

Thus Hector swore, although it prov’d not true.
Upon his shoulder then his bow he hung.
His cap of cat, a wolf’s skin was his coat.
And when he gotten clear was from the throng,
300With spear in hand he fell into his trot.

And first Ulysses heard the sound of feet.
I hear one come, said he to Diomed,
Perhaps a spy that sent is to our fleet,
Or one that has a mind to strip the dead.
305’Tis best t’ avoid him till he past us be,

And then to follow him and drive him on.
But lest he swifter be of foot than we,
And to the city back again should run,
Rise and be sure to turn him with your spear.
310And when he was a land’s length past them gone

They follow’d him. And he their feet did hear,
And thought some Trojans had been coming on
By Hector sent to call him back again.
But when they from him were scarce a spear’s cast,
315He knew then they were Agamemnon’s men,

And frighted was; and then his feet mov’d fast.
As two hounds in a wood obscure and dim
Pursue a fearful doe or hare, just so
Tydides and Ulysses hunted him,
320When back into the herd he could not go.

When Dolon to the watch was very near,
Athena puts into Tydides’ head,
That some man else might at him throw a spear,
And be thereby before him honoured.
325To Dolon then Tydides spake, and said,

Stay, or my spear shall make you stay; for long
I am assur’d you cannot death avoid.
And as he spake the word, his spear he flung,
And miss’d on purpose, but it lighted near.
330Dolon affrighted, pale and trembling stands,

And in his head chatter’d his teeth with fear.
Then in they came and seiz’d on both his hands;
And Dolon weeping, then for quarter pray’d,
Great ransom for me will my father give,
335For gold he has enough; and will, he said,

Give any price, when here he knows I live.
Then to him said Ulysses, Do not fear,
Nor think of death. But see you tell me true
Upon what weighty bus’ness you are here,
340When others sleep, and at a time undue.

Meant you to rifle any of the dead?
Or were you sent by Hector as a spy,
Or undertook the same of your own head?
T’ Ulysses Dolon then did thus reply:
345I was by Hector’s promises set on,

And should have had Achilles’ chariot
And horses, if I to the fleet had gone.
And good intelligence to Hector brought,
Whether the ships be guarded as before,
350Or that the Greeks now beaten mean to fly,

And weary of their labour, watch no more.
To this again Ulysses made reply,
And smiling said, It was no small reward
You aimed at. Achilles’ horse, ye say?
355To rule them for a mortal man ’tis hard.

The Goddess Thetis’ son they’ll scarce obey.
But tell me further; when you came away,
Where you left Hector, where his horses are,
And where his arms; where other Trojans stay
360To sleep or watch, and whether they prepare

To go into the town, or mean t’ abide
Always so near our ships as they are now.
T’ Ulysses Dolon then again replied,
This also I will let you truly know.
365I Hector left at Ilus’ sepulchre

With other lords in consultation,
The rest about the bonfires waking were.
But certain watch appointed there was none;
But those confederates that came from far
370Slept at their ease all night and watched not;

For that they trusted to the Trojans’ care,
Having no wives nor children with them brought.
Ulysses then examin’d him again,
How lie the strangers? mix’d with those of Troy,
375Or by themselves? Inform me and be plain.

Nothing, said Dolon, but the truth I’ll say.
Pæans, Pelasgians, Caucons, Leleges,
And Cars lie by the sea-side on the sands,
The rest near Thymbra quarter, and are these;
380The Mæons, Mysians, Lycians, Phrygians.

But there’s no need to tell you ev’ry thing;
For if upon our quarters you would fall,
There lie the Thracians new come, and their king,
Rhesus by name, and utmost lies of all.
385Such horses yet I never did behold,

Swift as the wind, and than the snow more white,
With silver cover’d is his car, and gold;
Gold are his arms, and make a gallant sight,
And fitter for a God than man to wear.
390But try now whether I say true or no,

And send me to the ships, or bind me here.
Then said Tydides with a frowning brow,
Think not to ’scape, though all you say be true;
For if I let you loose, for aught I know,
395You may return again to fight or view;

But hurt us cannot if I kill you now.
As Dolon then beginning was to pray,
Tydides’ sword lighted on’s neck so just,
That from his shoulders fell his head away
400As he was speaking, and lay in the dust.

And from him then they took his cap of cat,
His spear, and wolf’s skin coat, and bow unbent,
And in his hands Ulysses took all that,
And to Minerva up his prayer sent.
405Hail Pallas, whom we pray’d to for success

Before all other Gods, receive these gifts,
And us unto the Thracian tents address.
This said, the spoils of Dolon up he lifts,
And lays them in a tree; and for a mark,
410They near the way laid store of boughs and reeds

To find them coming back, because ’twas dark.
Then with Tydides onward he proceeds,
The surprise of Rhesus.
And ev’ry step on arms or blood they tread,
And soon amongst the Thracians they were,
415That sleeping lay, as if they had been dead,

And by each one his buckler and his spear.
Their horses to the chariot seats were tied.
Thus in three rows the Thracians were laid,
Rhesus i’ th’ midst; which first Ulysses spied,
420And to Tydides speaking softly, said,

See there the horses, and see there the man
Rhesus, of whom we were by Dolon told.
Untie the horses; or kill all you can,
And I upon the horses will lay hold.
425Tydides then, made by Minerva bold,

Amongst them killing went, and never staid
(Like lion fierce in a neglected fold)
Till he a dozen of them dead had laid.
And whomsoever Diomedes slew,
430Ulysses following took him by the foot,

And from the place a little way him drew,
For fear the steeds, not yet accustom’d to’t,
Should boggle, tremble, and refuse to pass.
To Rhesus last of all went Diomed,
435And kill’d him too. So he the thirteenth was.

And panted as he slept; for at his head
He dreamt Tydides all night standing was.
Ulysses to the horses went; and now
Seiz’d, and their heads together tied has:
440But for a whip he made use of his bow.

And gotten forth, whistled to Diomed
To come away, who gave no ear thereto,
But staying with himself, considered
What further hurt he might the Trojans do.
445To draw away the chariot by the pole,

Wherein the golden arms of Rhesus lay,
Or thence upon his shoulders bear the whole;
Or whether he more Thracians should destroy.
While thus he studied, Pallas by him stood.
450Contented be, said she, with what is done.

To go unto the ships I think it good,
For fear you thither should be forc’d to run.
Some other God awake the Trojans may.
This said, that Pallas to him spake he thought,
455And from the Thracian quarter came away,

And on one of the horses’ backs he got,
And tow’rds the ships at full speed then they ride,
Ulysses with his bow still switching on;
But Phœbus with Tydides Pallas spy’d,
460And angrily call’d up Hippocoon;

Who, when he came and empty saw the ground
Where th’ horses stood, and dy’d with blood the field,
And sprawling in their blood the Thracians found,
Ay me, said he, they have my uncle kill’d.
465The Trojans then in haste and frighted rise,

And at the place in great disorder meet,
And gaze upon the mischief with their eyes,
But they that did it fled were to the fleet.
When flying they were at the tree, where lay
470The spoils of Dolon, there awhile they tarry,

Until Tydides fetch’d them had away,
And to Ulysses given them to carry,
And mounted was upon his horse again.
Again Ulysses switch’d them tow’rds the fleet;
475And when they near it were, old Nestor then,

Who was the first that heard the horses’ feet,
Cried out, The sound of horses’ feet I hear;
I wish Ulysses ’twere and Diomed.
But somewhat else and worse it is, I fear;
480So many sad mishaps run in my head.

He scarce had spoken this but they came in.
When they alighted were and welcomed
With hands and speeches of their friends had been,
Then Nestor thus Ulysses questioned:
485Ulysses, glory of the Greeks, said he,

Whence are these horses, beauteous as the sun?
Won from the Trojans? But that cannot be;
For such amongst the Trojans I saw none,
Though I amongst them were in ev’ry fight.
490Or given by the Gods? which may be true;

For both of you are gracious in their sight,
And Jove and Pallas have a care of you.
O noble Nestor, said Ulysses then,
Gods can give better horses if they please;
495For richer much are they than mortal men.

Tydides from a king of Thrace took these,
Who was come newly to the Trojans’ aid;
And slain him has, besides a dozen more,
And besides these a spy that them betray’d,
500By Hector sent your purpose to explore.

This said, Ulysses with much people went
Triumphing, and the milk-white horses drove
Over the trenches to Tydides’ tent.
There sets them up, and wheat unto them gave;
505But Dolon’s spoils astern his ship he plac’d,

Preparing for Athena’s sacrifice.
And then into the sea they went and wash’d
The sweat from off their shoulders, legs, and thighs,
And after bathe, and ’noint themselves with oil;
510That done, they sit down to their meat and dine;

And being thus refreshed from their toil,
Unto the Goddess Pallas offer wine.

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LIB. X. - Homer, The English Works, vol. X (Iliad and Odyssey) [1839]

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LIB. X.