1. A slender Hilana, despondent,
Mistress of love in the heat of war,

2. Her neck so elegant and her glance aflame,
Her breast heaving, she did not veil.

3. So she said “What made you
Deceive me, after all I’ve endured?

4. In Ephraim will you discard me
Among the rabble?

5. Or in Thebes where a lover
Of noble lineage appeared to you?

6. Did you come to me deceitfully
While he who won glory of conquest

7. Seeks to restore me to my land, though
Alas, how wretched and grievous my fate!

8. I do not ever seek prey;
You have drunk his passion—begone!

9. Leave Olympus and its lofty people
And follow him, guard him, accompany him

10. And bear from him sorrow: be pleased if
He makes you a slave, his possession.

11. I am no follower;
If so, Ilion would gloat over me.

12. I will not share a bed others have shared
And gain lifelong shame.”

13. My disgrace suffices, and what
I have borne of hellfire’s heat and flames.

14. Cypris was angered by her response.
She said “I fear you will stir my wrath,

15. And beware my coldness, desirous
Of the love of an inconstant heart.”

16. Finding agreement is not hard;
But you have tribulation and a narrow path.”

17. Hilana was troubled and perturbed,
Retreating in her beautiful attire.

18. Silently she walked away, veiled
By heavy clouds.

19. The two came to Paris’ abode,
With handmaids awaiting his command.

20. They brought her to him
As he sat in his chamber, drunk with desire.

21. The mistress of passion seated her
On a low dais near him.

22. She turned her eyes away from him
And said in a quivering voice:

23. “Where is your vaunted might
That felled steadfast Menelaus?

24. You claimed to lead the charge, to pierce
With fierce valor and stroke of spear.

25. Oh, if only a sword had pierced you, wielded
By a warrior who was my husband and lord!

26. Oh, if only you would refrain! Take care
Lest you face him and melt in shame!

27. I fear frivolity would make you
Meet the blade of the intrepid one.”

28. He said: “To die is enough; reproach
Has shaken my soul violently.”

29. But Athena strengthened his arm:
“Victory will come one day, take heart!

30. The immortals are my surest allies;
Now is the time for joy.”

31. “Never have I been as I am now,
With a pounding, troubled heart.

32. When love drew us from our course,
Toward a stormy sea,

33. And left us in Theban lands
Safe from trouble and spies—

34. The gusts of passion never ignited
A more blazing flame within me.

35. The fires of ecstasy raged in her,
Lifting me to a raised bed.

36. Fate followed them closely
As they lay safely on a feather mattress.”

37. Achilles prowled like a ravenous beast
Marveling greatly at what he saw.

38. None among the Trojans or
Greek forces had tracked their trail.

39. If the leaders had seen, their hatred
Would have matched that of death itself.

40. So Agamemnon cried out,
Calling the nobles to hear:

41. “Descendants of Troy! You Haemonians!
You Dardanians! Which of you is a fool?

42. You saw Menelaus win victory; will you make her
A gift of gold for the victor?

43. And pay us tribute to enrich those
Who come after us and succeed?”

44. The Greeks roared approval,
Acclaiming him with zeal.