Iliad by Homer - Join iZDOT

Homer’s Iliad
that can be found at the ships of the Achaeans, if he will dare this
thing; and he will win infinite honour to boot; he must go to the
ships and find out whether they are still guarded as heretofore, or
whether now that we have beaten them the Achaeans design to fly,
and through sheer exhaustion are neglecting to keep their
watches.”
They all held their peace; but there was among the Trojans a certain
man named Dolon, son of Eumedes, the famous herald- a man rich
in gold and bronze. He was ill-favoured, but a good runner, and
was an only son among five sisters. He it was that now addressed
the Trojans. “I, Hector,” said he, “Will to the ships and will exploit
them. But first hold up your sceptre and swear that you will give
me the chariot, bedight with bronze, and the horses that now carry
the noble son of Peleus. I will make you a good scout, and will not
fail you. I will go through the host from one end to the other till I
come to the ship of Agamemnon, where I take it the princes of the
Achaeans are now consulting whether they shall fight or fly.”
When he had done speaking Hector held up his sceptre, and swore
him his oath saying, “May Jove the thundering husband of Juno
bear witness that no other Trojan but yourself shall mount those
steeds, and that you shall have your will with them for ever.”
The oath he swore was bootless, but it made Dolon more keen on
going. He hung his bow over his shoulder, and as an overall he
wore the skin of a grey wolf, while on his head he set a cap of ferret
skin. Then he took a pointed javelin, and left the camp for the
ships, but he was not to return with any news for Hector. When he
had left the horses and the troops behind him, he made all speed
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