And blue-eyed Pallas answered: “Be it so, O mighty Archer. With a like intent I left Olympus for this battle-field Of Greeks and Trojans. But by what device Think’st thou to bring the combat to a pause?”

Then spake the king Apollo, son of Jove, In turn to Pallas: “Let us seek to rouse The fiery spirit of the Trojan knight Hector, that he may challenge in the field Some Greek to meet him, singly and alone, In mortal combat. Then the well-armed Greeks, Stung by the bold defiance, will send forth A champion against Priam’s noble son.”

He spake. The blue-eyed goddess gave assent And straightway Helenus, beloved son Of Priam, in his secret mind perceived The purpose of the gods consulting thus, And came and stood by Hector’s side and said:⁠—