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Enter Diomedes and Odysseus cautiously with drawn swords.

Odysseus
[565] Did you not hear, Diomedes, the clash of arms or is it an idle noise that rings in my ears?

Diomedes
No, it is the rattle of steel harness on the chariot rails; I, too, was afraid, till I perceived it was the clang of horses' chains.

Odysseus
[570] Beware lest you stumble upon the guard in the darkness.

Diomedes
I will take good care how I advance even in the gloom.

Odysseus
If however you should rouse them, do you know their password?

Diomedes
Yes, it is “Phoebus”; I heard Dolon use it.

Odysseus
Ah! I see the enemy have left this bivouac.

Diomedes
[575] Yet Dolon surely said that here was Hector's couch, against whom this sword of mine is drawn.

Odysseus
What can it mean? Has his company withdrawn elsewhere?

Diomedes
Perhaps to form some stratagem against us.

Odysseus
Yes, for Hector is bold now, by reason of his victory, bold.

Diomedes
[580] What then are we to do, Odysseus? We have not found the man asleep; our hopes are dashed.

Odysseus
Let us go to the fleet with what speed we may. Some god, whichever it be that gives him his good luck, is preserving him; against fate we must not strive.

Diomedes
[585] Then should we two not go against Aeneas or Paris, most hateful of Phrygians, and with our swords cut off their heads?

Odysseus
Well, how in the darkness can you find them among a hostile army, and slay them without risk?

Diomedes
Yet it would be shameful to go to the Argive ships [590] if we have done the enemy no harm.

Odysseus
What! no harm! Have we not slain Dolon who spied upon the anchored fleet, and have we not his spoils safe here? Or do you expect to sack the entire camp?

Diomedes
I agree, let us return; and good luck go with us!

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