The Story of Troy

walls, began to advance towards each other. The Trojans moved along wit

an host

clang of arms,

n the air, tha

d its mighty b

ir way o

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other hand, advan

ently t

breathing valo

other in the

th wind shrouds

awake the she

t for the thi

m one can on

l a stone,-suc

om the warriors

rapid march and

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. In appearance he was beautiful as a god. Over his shoulders he wore a panther's skin. His weapons were a bow, a sword, and two spears tipped with brass, which he brandished in his hands. The chal

ry lion w

e large beast

oat-rejoices,

gh swift hounds

flank, so M

Paris, of the

ht, for now he

n the guilty o

car to earth w

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to fight him, he was seized with a great fear, a

ets within a

rts aside with

ckward way with

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made him a coward for the moment, and so he fled from before the face of the enraged king of Sparta. The noble H

upposed to be a hero, possess neither spirit nor courage. You have brought evil on your father, your city, and your people, by carrying away a beautiful woman from h

w declared that he was willing to meet Menelaus in single co

Trojans and

attle, while, b

arlike Mene

ht for Helen

prevail and

rrior, let hi

and the woman

other Trojan

ague of amity

tile plain, an

n to

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e between the two armies, he spoke in a loud voice to the Greeks and Trojans, telling them of the propo

also,-me whos

t keenly. I p

Trojans separ

ave ye suffer

rrel, and the

homsoever f

t him die; bu

oment reconcil

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ir approval of the proposed conditions, and pledge themselves in the presence of both armies to abide by the result of the combat between the two heroes. Just then the Trojan monarch was sea

ers, appeared to Helen in her chamber. There she was busy at her loom, making in golden tapestry a representation of some of the great events of the war. In those days, as we read in many parts of Homer, the noblest ladies, even queens

n of

by Lord

were compelled to admire her wondrous beauty. "Fair as the immortal goddesses she is," said they; "yet much better would it be if she would retu

ne our present s

aven's disposing

armies and th

ds conspire th

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him some of the Greek leaders whom he sa

ather," answered Helen, "would that death had taken me before I left my husband and home to come with your son hither, but the Fates did not will it so, the

ce, before my

ill he bore a b

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hief, less in height than Agamemnon, though broader in the shoulders? His arms lie on the ground, while h

m thus measures

the flock, surv

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tratagem and prudent counsel." Ajax and Idomeneus were next noticed by King Priam,-Ajax the mighty, who overtopped the Argives by

," the beauteou

the Grecian str

domeneus su

cle of his C

od! I saw hi

us on the S

ow, and could

iefs, and men

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he Sc?an Gate into the space between both armies, and there, with the ceremonies usual on such occasions, a solemn league was formed between the two monarchs. First, they mixed in a bowl wine brought by both parties. This was an emblem of reconciliation. Next, water was poured

those who swear false oaths, be ye witnesses of this league. If, on the one hand, Paris slay Menelaus, let him keep Helen and all her possessions, and let us return ho

was also poured on the earth, while the Greeks and Trojans joined in praying tha

ove! and hear,

od, who first the

ine, disdain the

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lict in which his son might be slain. Lots were now drawn to decide which of the warriors should cast his spear first. Paris won, and immediately the cham

his strong brazen shield. In his turn the Spartan king poised his long spear for a thr

ove! vouchsafe

is wrongs whi

him fall ben

dread hereaft

ip of a host

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eways, and so escaped the full force of the weapon. Instantly Menelaus rushed forward, sword in hand, and dealt a powerful blow at his e

broke the helmet strap under his chin, and thus released him from the grasp of the wrathful Menelaus. Then she cast a thick mist around the Trojan prince, and, carrying him off to the city, set him down in his chamber, within his own

m battle? Rather

d by the migh

sband. It was

ou wert more than

nd, and practic

Menelaus. G

the combat

unsel thee t

ek a combat,

red Menelaus,

th his spear and

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n the Trojans could tell where he was. If he were amongst them they would not have concealed him, for they

e o

or of their r

him out to M

d they known hi

for his sake ha

ck death the

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could not have a peaceful ending. Besides, the Greeks were doomed to suffer as Jupiter had promised Thetis, because of the wrong that had been done to Achilles. Therefore, after the matter had been discussed in a council of the gods in their golden palace on Olympus, Minerva was sent down to urge the Trojans

ll the Trojans, if you slay the son of Atreus,

laus should be killed; therefore, when Pandarus bent his bow and with tr

, and (weakene

apon from its

e, when slumber

other wafts th

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ut the skillful surgeon, Ma-cha?on, son of the famous physician, ?sculapius, stan

the chiefs, whom he found active in marshaling and encouraging their men. "Father Jupiter," he said, "will not help those Trojans who have so basely broken their solemn pledg

th steeds and

vast and val

he stationed

lwark of the

nt of spirit ta

willingly, they

t with t

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warning them not to trust too much to their val

too vain of

in his valor,

t to attack th

all behind th

weaker. Whos

emy's, let him

ear, for 'tis th

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