Gave me to know it, when immediately
I darted on the trail, and here in part
I find some trace to guide me, but in part
I halt, amazed, and know not where to look.
Thou com’st full timely. For my venturous course,
Past or to come, is governed by thy will.
Ath. I knew thy doubts, Odysseus, and came forth
Zealous to guard thy perilous hunting-path.
Od. Dear Queen! and am I labouring to an end?
Ath. Thou schem’st not idly. This is Aias’ deed.
Od. What can have roused him to a work so wild?
Ath. His grievous anger for Achilles’ arms.
Od, But wherefore on the flock this violent raid?
Ath. He thought to imbrue his hands with your heart’s blood.
Od. What? Was this planned against the Argives, then?
Ath. Planned, and performed, had I kept careless guard.
Od. What daring spirit, what hardihood, was here!
Ath. Alone by night in craft he sought your tents.
Od. How? Came he near them? Won he to his goal?
Ath. He stood in darkness at the generals’ gates.
Od. What then restrained his eager hand from murder?
Ath. I turned him backward from his baleful joy,
And overswayed him with blind phantasies,
To swerve against the flocks and well-watched herd
Not yet divided from the public booty.
There plunging in he hewed the horned throng,
And with him Havoc ranged: while now he thought
To kill the Atreidae with hot hand, now this
Now that commander, as the fancy grew.
I, joining with the tumult of his mind,
Flung the wild victim on the fatal net.
Anon, this toil being overpast, he draws
The living oxen and the panting sheep
With cords to his home, not as a horned prey,
But as in triumph marshalhng his foes:
Whom now he tortures in their bonds within.
