il from claiming and disputing it grew to arguing and
wrangling and downright quarreling: insults flew about, until the
merriment grew into an angry din, the like of which had never been
heard. But as it became clear that it was impossible for everybody to be
the most beautiful, the claimants gradually settled down into three
parties--some taking the side of Venus, others of Juno, others of
Minerva.

"We shall never settle it among ourselves," said one, when all were
fairly out of breath with quarreling. "Let the gods decide."

For the gods had been silent all the while; and now they looked at one
another in dismay at such an appeal. Jupiter, in his heart, thought
Venus the most beautiful; but how could he dare decide against either
his wife Juno or his daughter Minerva? Neptune hated Minerva on account
of their old quarrel; but it was awkward to choose between his daughter
Venus and his sister Juno, of whose temper he, as well as Jupiter, stood
in awe. Mars was ready enough to vote for Venus; but then he was afraid
of a scandal. And so with all the gods--not one was bold enough to
decide on such a terrible question as the beauty of three rival
goddesses who were ready to tear out each other's eyes. For Juno was
looking like a thundercloud, and Minerva like lightning, and Venus like
a smiling but treacherous sea.

"I have it," said Jupiter at last. "Men are better judges of beauty than
the gods are, who never see anything but its perfection. King Priam of
Troy has a son named Paris, whose judgment as a critic I would take even
before my own. I propose that you, Juno, and you, Minerva, and you,
Venus, shall go together before Paris and submit yourselves to his
decision, whatever it may be."

And so it was settled, for each of the three goddesses was equally sure
that, whoever the judge might be, the golden apple was safe to be hers.
The quarrel came to an end, and the feast ended pleasantly; but Ate, who
had been watching and listening, laughed in her sleeve.

Troy, where King Priam reigned, was a great and ancient city on the
shore of Asia: it was a sacred city, whose walls had been built by
Neptune, and it possessed the Palladium, the image of Minerva, which
kept it from all harm. Priam--who had been the friend of Hercules--and
his wife Hecuba had many sons and daughters, all brave and noble princes
and beautiful princesses; and of his sons, while the bravest and noblest
was his first-born, Hector, the handsomest