As soon as the armies approached each other, almost front to front, Paris rushed forward from the Trojan lines, and challenged the Greeks to send their bravest warrior to fight him in simple combat. 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 challenge was speedily answered by Menelaus, who bounded from his chariot the moment he beheld Paris, rejoicing that at last the time had come to have revenge on the man who had so greatly wronged him. As a hungry lion who has made A prey of some large beast--a horned stag Or mountain goat--rejoices, and with speed Devours it, though swift hounds and sturdy youths Press on his flank, so Menelaus felt Great joy when Paris, of the godlike form, Appeared in sight, for now he thought to wreak His vengence on the guilty one, and straight Sprang from his car to earth with all his arms. BRYANT, _Iliad_, Book III. But when Paris saw who it was that had come forth to fight him, he was seized with a great fear, and he shrank back into the ranks of his companions. As one who meets within a mountain glade A serpent, starts aside with sudden fright, And takes the backward way with trembling limbs. BRYANT, _Iliad_, Book III. Though Paris was really a brave man, his feeling of his own guilt and the sight of Menelaus, whom he had injured, made him a coward for the moment, and so he fled from before the face of the enraged king of Sparta. The noble Hector was deeply vexed at seeing his brother's flight, and in angry words upbraided him for his shameful conduct. "Better would it have been," said he, "if you had never been born than thus to bring disgrace upon us all. Well may the Greeks laugh at finding that you, whom they supposed 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 her husband, yet you now fear to meet that warrior in battle. The Trojans are but a weak-minded race, else they would have long since given you the death you deserve." Paris admitted that his brother's rebuke was just, and he now declared that he was willing to meet Menelaus in single combat, Helen and her treasures to be the prize of the victor. "Cause the Trojans and the Greeks To pause from battle, while, between the hosts, I and the warlike Menelaus strive In single fight for Helen and her wealth. Whoever shall prevail and prove himself The better warrior, let him take with him The treasure and the woman, and depart; While all the other Trojans, having made A faithful league of amity? shall dwell On Ilium's fertile plain, and all the Greeks Return to Argos." BRYANT, _Iliad_, Book III.