1. His heart overflowed with love's seas,
And he approached the field of battle.

2. With his boat he aimed to please his own,
As they stood with dignity and obedience.

3. Upon him the Greeks showered arrows
Not even missing a single stone like smoke.

4. He called out stopping the crowds, "Wait!
O Greek hordes, wait a little!"

5. It was as if Hector intended something
That he wanted announced openly for us.

6. The clamor fell silent. Hector said, listening,
"Hear me, O you two armies."

7. "Here is what Paris casts upon you,
And you know he is the source of this disgrace."

8. "All of you, cast down your weapons to the ground,
And let the two heroes come forth to battle."

9. "He and the valiant, resolute Menelaus,
Will fight apart from all the soldiers."

10. "Whoever prevails of the two will earn
Possessions and supremacy without stabbing."

11. "And the two armies will live in security and loyalty
For a long time unified."

12. They were all silent. Then Menelaus called out
With a loud, steady voice and a resolute soul,

13. "Now hear me - there is none among you
Who suffers the agony I suffer."

14. "Between Paris, who wants conflict, and me
Your calamities in time have exhausted you."

15. "He is hostile and I am set against chaos.
I have only taken up the palm of unjust war."

16. "Whichever of us the fates decree for death,
Let him taste it while you are safe."

17. "And two rams will be brought to Troy
One white and the other black."

18. "An offering permitted to the sun and the earth.
And one of us is a ram for the Lord of Destiny."

19. "King Priam will come in person
To seal the pact of harmony in this place."

20. "For his sons do not restrain the reins,
And laxity is the nature of youths."

21. "Perhaps they recoil from the covenant of Zefs.
But the elder does not disappoint hopes."

22. "So he will heed the past and the future,
So that both sides encounter well-being."

23. This talk pleased every faction,
Eager to ward off these events.

24. They approached in ships and described
The number of vessels sunk into the abyss.

25. And Hector sent a messenger to Priam
With Vega, then they would come together.

26. And they would lead their slaughter, as Agamemnon
Wanted the completion of the sacrifice.

27. To Talthybius he ordered to hasten
To their ships without delay.

28. And for Helen, Eris was seen
Seeking her in the furthest gardens.

29. She adorned herself in the finest attire
To compliment her dazzling beauty.

30. With Laodicea, wife of Helicaon,
Scion of glorious Antenor.

31. She found her in the palace weaving a gown
With hems of purple and red dye.

32. And at the head of the seamstresses sketching on it
Events that distinguished the two parties:

33. The Greek troops armored with shields
And Troy's sturdiest horsemen.

34. They were engrossed with her upon her, and the Lord of
War lit the fuse of their mutual annihilation.

35. She said, "Now, daughters of nymphs, arise
And behold the wonders before your eyes."

36. "The two nations have endured war patiently
And nearly intertwined in battle."

37. "And now without strife or war, they are secure,
Silently seated in peace."

38. "With a channel in the ground in which they anchored
Poles and pillars on which they lean."

39. "But now, inevitably, Alexander
And Menelaus will come forth to meet."

40. "Whoever wins, you will be his wife and protector,
And upon you lies the entire wager."

41. Then she sparked in her a yearning and longing
For Menelaus, her family, and homeland.

42. In turmoil, she donned a bright veil
To light the fires of sorrow.

43. From her chamber in the palace she walked distraught
By the expressions of grief and tears of affection.

44. If only the daughter of Nereus, Thetis,
And lovely Clymene felt likewise,

45. She came to the gates of Scea where there gathered
A company of the gravest elders and rulers.

46. With Priam were Pancetus and Thymoetes
With Caletor, Lampus the Hicetae.

47. And to them came Ucalegon and Antenor
Treasure of wisdom and eloquence.

48. The days had burdened them with frailty
But they had wisdom and gentle speech.

49. At the parapets of the tower they stood
Exchanging perspectives openly.

50. As the cicadas in the forest subtly
Voice tender melodies.

51. They saw her and one said to another,
"Oh what a gentle reproach and refined meaning!"

52. "It is no wonder if this was her wont
And over her two nations collided."

53. "A goddess emerged with a radiant face
Though devastation draws near, woeful."

54. "Return to the ship, and we will suffice
While our sons wander astray."

55. Priam called her. He said, "Come near,
Daughter, sit with me in confidence."

56. "And look in the hall for a husband first
For you, eminent above all others."

57. "You were not truly at fault, rather
The decree of the mighty Lords was at fault."

58. "That, above the Greeks, provoked wrath
And brought down a flood of calamities upon me."

59. "Tell me, who is this who appears to me
A brother of honor and pride?"

60. "Among them, whom I see largest in body,
But where is there one with such beauty?"

61. "He shone with magnificent awe
With dense, solid limbs."