Book X

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The terrified Dolon, hoping to move the Greeks to mercy, told even more than he was asked to tell. There was a Thracian king, he said, who had that very day arrived with a troop of soldiers to help the Trojans. Rheʹsus was his name. He had steeds beautiful to behold, and fleet as the wind, his chariot shone with gold and silver, and the armor he wore was all of gold.

"Even now," said Dolon, "Rhesus and his followers are in a camp by themselves separated from the others, and it will be easy to take them by surprise as they lie asleep, and carry off the rich things they possess."

This news was joyfully received by the Greek heroes. They had heard of an oracle which declared that Troy could never be captured if these same horses of Rhesus should once drink of the water of Xanthus or feed on the grass of the Trojan plain. They therefore resolved to rob Rhesus of his magnificent steeds. But first they killed the unhappy Dolon, paying no heed to his prayers for mercy. Then they hurried on to the Thracian camp, where they found the warriors sunk in deep repose, after the fatigues of the day's journey.

There slept the warriors, overpowered with toil; Their glittering arms were near them, fairly ranged In triple rows, and by each suit of arms Two coursers. Rhesus slumbered in the midst. Near him were his fleet horses, which were made Fast to the chariot's border by the reins.

BRYANT, _Iliad_,