To whom the godlike Paris thus replied: “Hector, I needs must own thy censure just, Nor without cause; thy dauntless courage knows Nor pause nor weariness; but as an axe, That in a strong man’s hand, who fashions out Some naval timber, with unbated edge Cleaves the firm wood, and aids the striker’s force; Ev’n so unwearied is thy warlike soul. Yet blame not me for golden Venus’ gifts: The gifts of Heav’n are not to be despis’d, Which Heav’n may give, but man could not command. But if thou wilt that I should dare the fight, Bid that the Trojans and the Grecians all Be seated on the ground; and in the midst The warlike Menelaus and myself Stand front to front, for Helen and the spoils Of war to combat; and whoe’er shall prove The better man in conflict, let him bear The woman and the spoils in triumph home; While ye, the rest, in peace and friendship sworn, Shall still possess the fertile plains of Troy; And to their native Argos they return, For noble steeds and lovely women fam’d.” He said, and Hector joy’d to hear his words: Forth in the midst he stepp’d, and with his spear Grasp’d by the middle, stay’d the Trojan ranks. At him the long-haired Grecians bent their bows, Prompt to assail with arrows and with stones; But loud the monarch Agamemnon’s voice Was heard; “Hold, Argives, hold! ye sons of Greece, Shoot not! for Hector of the glancing helm Hath, as it seems, some message to impart.” He said; they held their hands, and silent stood Expectant, till to both thus Hector spoke: “Hear now, ye Trojans, and ye well-greav’d Greeks, The words of Paris, cause of all this war. He asks through me that all the host of Troy And Grecian warriors shall upon the ground Lay down their glitt’ring arms; while in the midst The warlike Menelaus and himself Stand front to front, for Helen and the spoils Of war to combat; and whoe’er shall prove The better man in conflict, let him bear The woman and the spoils in triumph home, While we, the rest, firm peace and friendship swear.” Thus Hector spoke; the rest in silence heard; But Menelaus, bold in fight, replied: “Hear now my answer; in this quarrel I May claim the chiefest share; and now I hope Trojans and Greeks may see the final close Of all the labours ye so long have borne T’ avenge my wrong, at Paris’ hand sustain’d. And of us two whiche’er is doom’d to death, So let him die! the rest, depart in peace. Bring then two lambs, one white, the other black, For Tellus and for Sol; we on our part Will bring another, for Saturnian Jove: And let the majesty of Priam too Appear, himself to consecrate our oaths, (For reckless are his sons, and void of faith,) That none Jove’s oath may dare to violate. For young men’s spirits are too quickly stirr’d; But in the councils check’d by rev’rend age, Alike are weigh’d the future and the past, And for all int’rests due provision made.”