“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 wife With gentle speeches has besought of me That I return to battle; and to me That seems the best, for oft doth victory Change sides in war. Remain thou yet awhile, Till I put on my armor; or go thou, And I shall follow and rejoin thee soon.”