Diomedes said he would go gladly if another man came with him. Two men see better than one; one notices what is useful while the other may miss it. Many volunteered: the two Aiantes, Meriones, Thrasymedes, Menelaus, Odysseus, and others. Agamemnon told Diomedes to choose the best and not be ruled by rank or shame.
Diomedes chose Odysseus, saying that with him beside him they might come back even through burning fire, for Odysseus knew how to think. Odysseus told him not to praise or blame too much among Argives who knew both men. The night was far gone; two parts had passed, and the third remained.
They armed themselves.
Thrasymedes gave Diomedes a two-edged sword and a bull-hide shield, and set on his head a helmet without crest or plume. Meriones gave Odysseus bow, quiver, sword, and a leather helmet lined with straps and set outside with white boar's teeth, a famous helmet once stolen from Amyntor and passed through many hands to Meriones.
They prayed to Athena. Odysseus begged the daughter of Zeus to be near him as always, and promised a yearling heifer.
Diomedes promised a broad-browed heifer, unbroken, whose horns he would gild with gold. Pallas Athena heard them, and they set out through the black night, like two lions through corpses, armor, dark blood, and dead men.
Hector also would not let the Trojans sleep. He gathered their best men and asked who would dare go near the swift ships to learn whether the Achaeans guarded them or planned flight. The reward would be the finest horses and chariot by the Achaean ships.
Dolon son of Eumedes rose, rich in gold and bronze, ugly but swift-footed. He asked Hector to swear he would give him the horses and bronze chariot of Achilles. Hector swore by Zeus that no other Trojan would mount them. The oath was empty, but it stirred Dolon's heart.