hastening to the sumptuous home Of Alexander, which that prince had built With aid of the most cunning architects In Troy the fruitful, by whose hands were made The bed-chamber and hall and ante-room. There entered Hector, dear to Jove; he bore In hand a spear eleven cubits long: The brazen spear-head glittered brightly, bound With a gold circle. In his room he there Found Paris, busied with his shining arms— Corselet and shield; he tried his curved bow; While Argive Helen with the attendant maids Was sitting, and appointed each a task. Hector beheld, and chid him sharply thus:—
“Strange man! A fitting time indeed is this, To indulge thy sullen humor, while in fight Around our lofty walls the men of Troy Are perishing, and for thy sake the war Is fiercely blazing all around our town. Thou wouldst thyself reprove him, shouldst thou see Another warrior as remiss as thou In time of battle. Rouse thee, then, and act, Lest we behold our city all in flames.”
Then answered Paris of the godlike form:— “Hector! Although thou justly chidest me, And not beyond my due, yet let me speak. Attend and hearken. Not in sullenness, Nor angry with the Trojans, sat I here Within my chamber, but that I might give A loose to sorrow. Even now my