Ἰλιάδος Γ

But when each contingent was marshaled with its leaders,

the Trojans advanced with clamor and shouting, like birds,

as when the clamor of cranes rises before the sky;

when they have fled the winter storm and boundless rain,

with clamor they fly over the streams of Ocean,

bringing slaughter and death to the men of the Pygmies;

and high in the air they carry cruel strife before them.

But the Achaeans advanced in silence, breathing fury,

eager at heart to defend one another.

As when the South Wind pours mist over the mountain peaks,

no friend to shepherds, but better than night for a thief,

and a man sees no farther than he can throw a stone;

so beneath their feet a whirling dust cloud rose

as they went; and very swiftly they crossed the plain.

Now when they had come near, advancing on one another,

godlike Paris strode out as champion for the Trojans,

wearing a panther's skin upon his shoulders, and a curved bow,

and a sword; and brandishing two spears tipped with bronze

he challenged all the best of the Argives

to fight him man to man in the dread strife of war.

But when Menelaus, dear to Ares, marked him

coming out before the throng with long strides,

As a lion rejoices when it comes upon a great carcass,

finding either a horned stag or a wild goat,

being hungry; for it devours it greedily, even if

swift dogs and vigorous young men set upon it;

so Menelaus rejoiced when his eyes fell upon

godlike Paris; for he thought to punish the transgressor;

and at once he leapt to the ground from his chariot in his armor.

But when godlike Paris marked him

appearing among the champions, his heart was struck with terror,

and he shrank back into the throng of his comrades, avoiding death.

And as one who has seen a serpent starts back

in a mountain glen, and trembling seizes his limbs,

and he retreats again, and paleness takes hold of his cheeks,

so back into the throng of the lordly Trojans

godlike Paris shrank, in fear of the son of Atreus.

Then Hector saw him, and rebuked him with shameful words:

"Evil Paris, best in looks, woman-mad, deceiver,

would that you had never been born, or had died unwed;

that indeed I would wish, and it would have been far better,

than to be thus a disgrace and a thing others look at askance.

Surely the long-haired Achaeans laugh aloud,

thinking you the best man among our champions, because your form

is fair, but there is no strength in your heart, nor any courage.

Was it being such a man that, in your sea-faring ships,

you sailed the sea, gathering trusted comrades,

and mingling with men of a foreign land, carried off a fair woman

from a distant land, the bride of spear-wielding men,

a great sorrow to your father, and to your city, and to all your people,

a joy to your enemies, but shame to yourself?

Will you then not stand and face Menelaus, dear to Ares?

You would learn what manner of man's blooming wife you hold;

your lyre would not help you then, nor the gifts of Aphrodite,

nor your hair, nor your beauty, once you lay mingled with the dust.

But the Trojans are altogether too fearful; surely by now

you would have worn a tunic of stone for the wrongs you have done."

Then godlike Paris answered him:

"Hector, since you have rebuked me justly, and not beyond what is just —

always your heart is like an axe, unwearied,

that goes through a timber in a man's hands, who by his craft

hews out a ship's beam, and adds force to the man's stroke;

so within your breast your mind is undaunted.

Do not throw in my face the lovely gifts of golden Aphrodite;

not to be cast away are the glorious gifts of the gods,

whatever they themselves give, and no man could take them by choosing.

But now, if you wish me to war and to fight,

seat the other Trojans and all the Achaeans down,

and set me in the middle, and Menelaus, dear to Ares,

to fight for Helen and all her possessions;

and whichever of us wins and proves the stronger,

let him take all the goods fairly and lead the woman home;

and let the rest, cutting friendship and trusted oaths,

dwell, you Trojans, in deep-soiled Troy, and let the others go home

to horse-pasturing Argos, and Achaea, land of fair women."

So he spoke, and Hector rejoiced greatly, hearing his words,

and going into the middle he held back the ranks of the Trojans,

taking hold of his spear at the middle; and they all sat down.

But the long-haired Achaeans aimed their bows at him,

taking aim with arrows, and cast stones at him too;

but Agamemnon, lord of men, cried out loudly:

"Hold, Argives; do not shoot, you sons of the Achaeans;

for Hector of the flashing helm intends to speak a word."

So he spoke, and they held back from battle and fell silent

at once; and Hector spoke among both armies:

"Hear me, you Trojans and well-greaved Achaeans,

the word of Paris, for whose sake this quarrel has arisen.

He bids the other Trojans and all the Achaeans

lay their fine armor down upon the all-nurturing earth,

while he himself, in the middle, and Menelaus, dear to Ares,

fight alone for Helen and all her possessions.

And whichever of them wins and proves the stronger,

let him take all the goods fairly and lead the woman home;

and let the rest of us cut friendship and trusted oaths."

So he spoke, and they all fell hushed in silence;

and among them Menelaus, good at the war-cry, spoke in turn:

"Hear now from me as well; for grief comes most of all

upon my heart, and I think it is time at last that

Argives and Trojans should be parted, since you have suffered many evils

on account of my quarrel and the wrong Paris began;

and for whichever of us death and fate are appointed,

let him die; and let the rest of you part most quickly.

Bring two lambs, one white, one black,

for Earth and the Sun; and we ourselves will bring another for Zeus.

And bring the mighty Priam himself, that he may cut the oaths

in person, since his sons are overweening and untrustworthy,

lest someone by transgression violate the oaths of Zeus.

The minds of younger men are always fickle as air;

but where an old man is present, he looks at once before and after,