BOOK III
Alexandrus, also called Paris, challenges Menelaus—Helen and Priam view the Achæans from the wall—The covenant—Paris and Menelaus fight, and Paris is worsted—Venus carries him off to save him—Scene between him and Helen.
When the companies were thus arrayed, each under its own captain, the Trojans advanced as a flight of wild fowl or cranes that scream overhead when rain and winter drive them over the flowing waters of Oceanus to bring death and destruction on the Pygmies, and they wrangle in the air as they fly; but the Achæans marched silently, in high heart, and minded to stand by one another.
10As when the south wind spreads a curtain of mist upon the mountain tops, bad for shepherds but better than night for thieves, and a man can see no further than he can throw a stone, even so rose the dust from under their feet as they made all speed over the plain.
15When they were close up with one another, Alexandrus came forward as champion on the Trojan side. On his shoulders he bore the skin of a panther,[1] his bow, and his sword, and he brandished two spears shod with bronze as a challenge to the bravest of the Achæans to meet him in single fight. Menelaus saw him thus stride out before the ranks, and was glad as a hungry lion that lights on the carcase of some goat or horned stag, and devours it there and then, though dogs and youths set upon him. Even thus was Menelaus glad when his eyes caught sight of Alexandrus, for he deemed that now he should be revenged.
- ↑ It was pointed out to me by Mr. Calvert, of Thymbra, near Troy, that Alexandrus's better known name of Paris was derived from the skin of the pard or panther which he used to carry.
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