r husband with these words:

"Thou hast come from the war: would that thou hadst perished there,
slain by that brave hero, who was my former husband. Certainly, thou
didst formerly boast, that thou wast superior to Mars-beloved Menelaus,
in might, in hands, and at the spear. But go now, challenge Mars-beloved
Menelaus to fight once more against thee! But I advise thee to refrain,
nor unadvisedly wage war and fight against fair-haired Menelaus, lest
perchance thou mayest be subdued beneath his spear."

But her Paris answering addressed in words: "Woman! assail me not in
soul with reproachful taunts; for now indeed has Menelaus conquered by
Minerva's aid; but I in turn will vanquish him, for gods are with us
also. But come, let us delight in dalliance, reclining together, for
never before did love so fondly enwrap my soul, not even when formerly,
having borne thee away from pleasant Lacedaemon, I sailed in the
sea-traversing ships, and was united with thee in love and in the couch
in the island Cranae; so now am I enamoured of thee, and sweet desire
possesses me."

He spoke, and led the way, ascending the couch; but his wife followed
with him: they therefore rested upon their perforated couch.

Meanwhile the son of Atreus was wandering through the crowd like to a
savage beast, if anywhere he could perceive godlike Alexander. But none
of the Trojans or their illustrious allies could then point out
Alexander to Mars-beloved Menelaus; for neither through friendship would
they have concealed him, if any one did see him; for he was hateful to
them all, like sable death. But amongst them spoke Agamemnon, king of
heroes:

"Hear me, ye Trojans, Greeks, and allies: the victory indeed appears [to
belong to] Mars-beloved Menelaus. Do ye therefore restore Argive Helen
and her treasures with her, and pay the fine which is fitting, and which
shall be remembered by future men."

Thus spoke the son of Atreus, and the other Greeks approved.

BOOK THE FOURTH

ARGUMENT.

_Paris not being slain, the combat left it doubtful whether Helen should
be returned or not; but Juno extorts a promise from Jove of the final
destruction of Troy. Minerva then persuades Pandarus to break the truce
by aiming an arrow at Menelaus. The wound is, however, cured by Machaon.
The Trojans proceed to the battle, while Agamemnon exhorts the
chieftains of the Greeks. The fight then commences,