Of both, this day is preordain’d the last. So spake the godlike monarch, and disposed Within the royal chariot all the lambs; Then, mounting, check’d the reins; Antenor next370 Ascended, and to Ilium both return’d. First, Hector and Ulysses, noble Chief, Measured the ground; then taking lots for proof Who of the combatants should foremost hurl His spear, they shook them in a brazen casque;375 Meantime the people raised their hands on high, And many a Grecian thus and Trojan prayed. Jove, Father, who on Ida seated, seest And rulest all below, glorious in power! Of these two champions, to the drear abodes380 Of Ades him appoint who furnish’d first The cause of strife between them, and let peace Oath-bound, and amity unite the rest! So spake the hosts; then Hector shook the lots, Majestic Chief, turning his face aside.385 Forth sprang the lot of Paris. They in ranks Sat all, where stood the fiery steeds of each, And where his radiant arms lay on the field. Illustrious Alexander his bright arms Put on, fair Helen’s paramour. [17]He clasp’d390 His polish’d greaves with silver studs secured; His brother’s corselet to his breast he bound, Lycaon’s, apt to his own shape and size, And slung athwart his shoulders, bright emboss’d, His brazen sword; his massy buckler broad395 He took, and to his graceful head his casque Adjusted elegant, which, as he moved, Its bushy crest waved dreadful; last he seized, Well fitted to his gripe, his ponderous spear. Meantime the hero Menelaüs made400 Like preparation, and his arms put on. When thus, from all the multitude apart, Both combatants had arm’d, with eyes that flash’d Defiance, to the middle space they strode, Trojans and Greeks between. Astonishment405 Seized all beholders. On the measured ground Full near they stood, each brandishing on high His massy spear, and each was fiery wroth. First, Alexander his long-shadow’d spear Sent forth, and on his smooth shield’s surface struck410 The son of Atreus, but the brazen guard Pierced not, for at the disk, with blunted point Reflex, his ineffectual weapon stay’d. Then Menelaüs to the fight advanced Impetuous, after prayer offer’d to Jove.[18]415 King over all! now grant me to avenge My wrongs on Alexander; now subdue The aggressor under me; that men unborn May shudder at the thought of faith abused, And hospitality with rape repaid.420 He said, and brandishing his massy spear, Dismiss’d it. Through the burnish’d buckler broad Of Priam’s son the stormy weapon flew, Transpierced his costly hauberk, and the vest Ripp’d on his flank; but with a sideward bend425 He baffled it, and baulk’d the dreadful death. Then Menelaüs drawing his bright blade, Swung it aloft, and on the hairy crest Smote him; but shiver’d into fragments small The falchion at the stroke fell from his hand.430 Vexation fill’d him; to the spacious heavens He look’d, and with a voice of wo exclaim’d— Jupiter! of all powers by man adored To me most adverse! Confident I hoped