1. The heart of Phiriam was torn asunder, but
He urged on the chariot at top speed.

2. He leapt upon it as it sped along,
Making haste with Antinor.

3. They passed through the gate of Iskia
And found a plain in Ghedir El Moghir.

4. When both hosts got word
They descended upon the green meadow.

5. Between the ranks they rode, each man
Eager there to honor his prince,

6. Atrid and Odises gravely,
Having risen before the stately king.

7. The hosts brought victims to seal their pact
In that far marches.

8. They poured water over the hands of the slayers
And mixed heady wines.

9. Atrid swore the great oath, tearing
A woolen fleece with his huge shears

10. And cutting the wool from the victims' heads
Which he distributed among the nobles present.

11. With fervent prayer he lifted his hands on high,
Pleading in desperate hope:

12. "O Father, exalted in sweet-smelling Itha,
Lord of glory and grave endeavor!

13. O all-seeing Sun and Earth, fount of all waters,
Before whom all traitors will squirm in hell's fire!

14. Be witness that the pact we have sealed
Was no act of deceit.

15. If Paris should conquer Menelaus
And fell him with his famed sword,

16. Then we and our ships will return in haste
Over the ridges of the seas.

17. If Menelaus should overcome Paris,
Both shall return to us straightway.

18. We shall be paid a tribute for all time,
A glory this, down all the years.

19. But if they break faith, I'll not turn back
Till I attain my utmost wish, however hard,

20. And plunge my sword in the victims' throats
Till their blood runs and they die in torment,

21. Their legs convulsed, thrashing in their gore,
And they rose and, grasping their goblets, shouted,

22. Their voices blending in a deafening roar:
'Great Zeus and all the gods, destroy

23. Each treacherous man, each breaker of oaths
Whose brains and his children's shall be dashed out

24. As we pour this libation to the mighty winds
And his widow be mastered by a stranger!'

25. But Zeus heard not their prayer.
Then Phiriam cried: 'I now intend

26. To live in seclusion behind my walls.
If I attest what my soul's ally has done,

27. May my timorous heart be torn in two!
Zeus of the underworld and gods of the tombs

28. Know better than I where corpses rot.'
With that he mounted his chariot and rode off,

29. Antinor accompanying him.
In earnest haste they continued on

30. Till they reached sacred Ilium.
His son Hektor and Odises arose

31. And strode the short course.
Between them they set two goblets, to see

32. To whom the first throw would fall.
With hands upraised, every man

33. Cried in a loud voice:
'O Zeus, O Lord of lords,

34. Thou glory and awful might!
O Father, high in sweet-smelling Itha,

35. Destroy whichever of the two has sought our woe!'
And judge between us, bind him fast

36. In the snares of an evil doom!'