"O fairest of mortals," she said, "I have been sent to thee by Zeus, who rules on high. In heaven there is war between the three great goddesses as to which of them shall have the prize for beauty, this apple thou seest in mine hand. And they have appointed thee to be the judge between them. Hold thyself ready, then, for this day at noon they will come to thee here on the lonely heights of Ida." She spoke, and threw the apple to him, and he caught it deftly, as a player catches a ball. And wind-footed Iris sped back by the rainbow path as swift as she had come. "This is passing strange," thought Paris, as he gazed at the apple in his hand, and read the words inscribed upon it--"For the Fairest." There it lay, smooth and shining, a sure token that he had not been dreaming. So he took it and showed it to OEnone, and told her what Iris, the messenger of the gods, had said to him. When OEnone heard it she was filled with fear. "Cast it at their feet, Paris, when they come to thee," she begged, "and say thou canst not set thyself up to be a judge of the Immortals." "Nay, that would anger them against me," he said; for in his heart he was proud to have been chosen out of all the sons of men. "I tell thee it will bring thee trouble if thou doest it, and to me sorrow unspeakable," said she. "Did the winning of the bull bring sorrow either to thee or to me?" he asked scornfully. OEnone was silent under his rebuke, though she knew her foreboding would come true. When the sun was almost high in the heavens, she came to him softly where he lay on the grass and kissed his hand. "Zeus grant thee wisdom in thy judgment, Paris," she said, and glided away swiftly through the trees, that he might not see the tears in her eyes. Then his heart smote him for his scornful words, and he rose up hastily from the ground and called to her, "OEnone, OEnone!" But she answered him not, and when he looked for her among the trees, he could find no trace of her. Now it was close upon noon, and he hastened back to the glade, where Iris had bidden him stay, and waited for the coming of the goddesses. In the clear bright light of noontide they came and stood before him in the shade of the forest trees; and he fell on his knees before them, filled with wonder and awe, and cast his eyes upon the ground, for he was afraid to look upon such majesty and beauty. Thereupon they drew near to him and bade him not be afraid, but rise and give his judgment. So he rose from his knees and looked upon them; and minute after minute passed, while still he gazed, for he could not make up his mind, so passing fair was each. "Ah, lady goddesses," he said at last, "take the apple and divide it into three, for I cannot say who is the fairest among you." "Nay, that may not be," they said; "thou must give it to one, and one alone." As he still hesitated, Hera spoke.