This night he hath done to us a thing which passes thought,—if he is indeed the doer; for we know nothing certain, but drift in doubt; and I took upon me the burden of this search. We have lately found the cattle, our spoil, dead—yea, slaughtered by human hand—and dead, beside them, the guardians of the flock.
Now, all men lay this crime to him. And a scout who had descried him30 bounding alone over the plain with reeking sword brought me tidings, and declared the matter. Then straightway I rushed upon his track; and sometimes I recognise the footprints as his, but sometimes I am bewildered, and cannot read whose they are. Thy succour is timely; thine is the hand that ever guides my course,—as in the past, so for the days to come.
Ath. I know it, Odysseus, and came early on the path, a watcher friendly to thy chase.
Od. Dear mistress, do I toil to purpose?
Ath. Know that yon man is the doer of these deeds.
Od. And why was his insensate hand put forth so fiercely?40
Ath. In bitter wrath touching the arms of Achilles.
Od. Why, then, this furious onslaught upon the flocks?
Ath. 'Twas in your blood, as he deemed, that he was dyeing his hand.
Od. What? Was this design aimed against the Greeks?
Ath. He would have accomplished it, too, had I been careless.
