on which you may wreak vengeance on them, gripping your lance in your death-dealing hand!RhesusSuch exploits am I ready to achieve to atone for my long absence; (with due submission to Nemesis I say this); then when we have cleared this city of its foes and you have chosen out first-fruits for the gods, I wish to march with you against the Argives’ country and at my coming lay Hellas waste with war, that they in turn may know the taste of ill.HectorIf I could rid the city of this present curse and restore it to its old security, I should indeed feel deep gratitude towards the gods. But, as for sacking Argos and the pasture-lands of Hellas with the spear, it is no such easy task as you say.RhesusDo they not say that here came the greatest chiefs of Hellas?HectorYes, and I do not scorn them; I have enough to do in driving them away.RhesusWell, when we slay these, is our task not fully done?HectorDo not leave the present need to look to distant schemes.RhesusYou are, it seems, content to suffer and make no return.HectorYes, for I rule a great empire, even though I am here. But on the left wing or the right or in the centre of the allies you may plant your shield and marshal your troops.RhesusAlone I will face the foe, Hector. But if you are ashamed, after all your previous toil, to have no share in firing their ships’ prows, place me face to face with Achilles and his army.HectorAgainst that man you cannot range your eager spear.RhesusWhy, it was surely said he sailed to Ilium.HectorHe sailed and he is here; but he is angry and takes no part with the other chieftains in the battle.RhesusWho next to him has won a name in their army?HectorAias and the son of Tydeus are, I take it, in no way his inferiors; there is Odysseus, a wheedling rascal, but bold enough indeed,