most renowned conqueror in the world, Venus only promised to give to his arms the most beautiful lady that breathed on earth; whereupon having seen them naked, and a long time viewed their admirable beauties, he adjudged it to Venus; whereupon Juno and Pallas went frowning away, vowing revenge for the injury done them. Hereupon he desired his father to send him with armed knights to the coast of Greece to endamage them and seize thence some noble lady in reprisal for Exione his aunt. This was agreed to, and great preparations were made, contrary to the minds of Hector, Helemus, and most of the grave consuls of the kingdom, who foresaw it would bring a dangerous war upon them.
With him of note went Deiphebus, Antenor, Anneas, and Pellidamus, who after some sailing came upon the coast of Greece, to a country where Menelaus brother of Agamemnon was king, and landed on the: Isle of Citherea, where a temple was dedicated to Venus, and a feast at that time held in honour of the goddess. Here Paris soon cast his eyes on fair Helen, daughter of Leda and Jupiter, the most exact and, comely beauty in the world, but of an amorous wanton temper, having before her marriage to Menelaus been ravished for her incomparable features by Theseus, at theage
