And now when both were armed for fight, and each Had left his host, and, coming forward, walked Between the Trojans and the Greeks, and frowned Upon the other, a mute wonder held The Trojan cavaliers and well-greaved Greeks. There near each other in the measured space They stood in wrathful mood with lifted spears.

First Paris hurled his massive spear; it smote The round shield of Atrides, but the brass Broke not beneath the blow; the weapon’s point Was bent on that strong shield. The next assault Atrides Menelaus made, but first Offered this prayer to Father Jupiter:⁠—

“O sovereign Jove! Vouchsafe that I avenge On guilty Paris wrongs which he was first To offer; let him fall beneath my hand, That men may dread hereafter to requite The friendship of a host with injury.”