The Iliad 10.372–377

stammering and pale with fear, and the teeth clattered in his mouth; and the twain panting for breath came upon him, and seized his hands; and he with a burst of tears spake to them, saying: Take me alive, and I will ransom myself; for at home have I store of bronze and gold and iron, wrought with toil;thereof would my father grant you ransom past counting, should he hear that I am alive at the ships of the Achaeans. Then in answer to him spake Odysseus of many wiles: Be of good cheer, and let not death be in thy thoughts. But come, tell me this, and declare it truly.Whither dost thou fare thus alone to the ships from the host in the darkness of night, when other mortals are sleeping? Is it with intent to strip one or another of the corpses of the dead? Did Hector send thee forth to the hollow ships to spy out all, or did thine own heart bid thee?