Such praise he gave Pelides, fleet of foot, Who answered: “Thy good word, Antilochus, Shall not be vainly spoken. I will add Yet half a talent to thy gold.” He said, And gave the gold; Antilochus, well pleased, Received it. Then Pelides brought a spear Of ponderous length into the middle space, And laid it down, and placed a buckler near And helmet, which had been Sarpedon’s arms, And which Patroclus won of him in war. Then stood Achilles and addressed the Greeks:⁠—

“I call on two, the bravest of the host, To arm themselves and take their spears in hand, And in a contest for these weapons put Each other to the proof. Whoever first Shall wound his adversary, piercing through The armor to the delicate skin beneath, And draw the crimson blood, to him I give This beautiful sword of Thrace, with silver studs, Won from Asteropaeus. And let both Bear off these arms, a common gift, and both Shall sit and banquet nobly in my tent.”