Rhesus
Euripides
Euripides. The Plays of Euripides, Translated into English Prose from the Text of Paley. Vol. I. Coleridge, Edward P., translator. London: George Bell and Sons, 1906.
- Here lies he close at hand, not marshalled with the other troops, but outside the ranks Hector has given him quarters,
- till night gives place to day. And near him his white horses are tethered to his Thracian chariot, easy to see in the darkness; they shine like the plumage of a river swan. Slay their master and bear them off
- home, glorious spoils; for nowhere else in all the world is such a team to be found.
- Diomedes, either you slay the Thracian folk, or leave that to me, while your care must be the horses.
- I will do the killing, and you master the horses.
- For you are well versed in clever tricks, and have a ready wit. And it is right to station a man where he may best serve.
- Look! there I see Paris coming towards us; perhaps he has heard from the guard a vague rumor that foes are near.
- Are others with him or does he come alone?
- Alone; to Hector’s couch he seems to wend his way, to announce to him that spies are in the camp.
- Ought he not head the list of slain?
- You can not overreach destiny.
- It is not decreed that he should fall by your hand. But hasten on your mission of fore-ordained slaughter, while I, feigning to be Cypris, his ally, and to aid him in his efforts, will answer the foe with unsound words.
- I tell you this; but the fated victim does not know, nor has he heard, for all he is so near. Exeunt Odysseus and Diomedes.
- To you I call, general and brother, Hector, are you asleep? Should you not awake? Some enemy draws near our army,