After this Æneas chose him out a level space, with woods about it, and having sat down in the midst upon a throne, caused it to be proclaimed that all should come who would contend together in running. And many came, both men of Troy and Sicilians. First of all Euryalus, a comely youth, and Nisus with him (now between these two was great love); next, Diores, of the house of Priam, then Salius and Patron, Greeks both of them; and two young hunters, Helymus and Panopes, who were of Sicily and of the court of Acestes, and many others also. Then said Æneas, "To each will I give two javelins of Crete and an axe ornamented with silver, so that none may depart without a gift. And the first three shall have crowns of olive. Also to the first will I give a horse with his furniture, and to the second a quiver after the fashion of the Amazons, with arrows of Thrace, and to fasten it a belt embossed with gold, and a jewel for a clasp thereon. And let the third take this helmet of Greece, and be content." Then, when they had ranged them in a line, and the sign was given, they ran. And for a while all were near together. Then Nisus outran the rest; and next to him was Salius, but with a great space between, and the third Euryalus; and after him Helymus, and Diores pressing close upon him, even leaning over his shoulder and ready to outrun him had the course been longer. And now were they at the very end, when Nisus slipped in the blood of an ox which chanced to have been slain in the place, and kept not his feet, but fell, fouling himself with blood and mire. Yet did he not forget Euryalus whom he loved, but lifted himself from the ground and tripped Salius, so that he also rolled upon the earth. So came Euryalus first to the post, and Helymus next, and Diores the third. But Salius made loud complaint to all the assembly, great and small, that he had been vanquished by fraud; yet the people favoured Euryalus, for he was fair to look upon, and fairness ever commendeth virtue. Also Diores was urgent, who else had not won the third prize. Then said Father Æneas, "I change not the order; as each reached the goal so shall each take his prize. Yet may I pity him who suffered wrongfully." And he gave to Salius the great skin of an African lion, with shaggy hair and claws covered with gold. Then said Nisus, "Yet, if thou givest such prizes to the vanquished and hast such pity on them that fall, what hast thou for me? For surely I had won the first reward but for the ill fortune which Salius also accuseth." And he showed his face and body foul with mire. And the kindly prince laughed, and gave him a shield, the work of Didymaon. CHAPTER XI. THE FUNERAL GAMES (CONTINUED).