Presently he saw the son of Tydeus, noble Diomed, standing by his chariot and horses, with Sthenelus the son of Capaneus beside him; whereon he began to upbraid him.

"Son of Tydeus," he said, "why stand you cowering here upon the brink of battle?
Tydeus did not shrink thus, but was ever ahead of his men when leading them on against the foe--so, at least, say they that saw him in battle, for I never set eyes upon him myself.

They say that there was no man like him.

He came once to Mycenae, not as an enemy but as a guest, in company with Polynices to recruit his forces, for they were levying war against the strong city of Thebes, and prayed our people for a body of picked men to help them.

The men of Mycenae were willing to let them have one, but Jove dissuaded them by showing them unfavourable omens.