“Ye sons of Atreus, and ye other chiefs Of all the tribes of Greece, I come to you From Priam and the eminent men of Troy, To say, if it be pleasing to your ears, What Alexander, author of the war, Proposes. All the wealth which in his ships He brought to Troy⁠—would he had perished first!⁠— He will, with added treasures of his own, Freely restore; but her who was the wife Of gallant Menelaus he denies To render back, though all who dwell in Troy Join to demand it. I am furthermore Bidden to ask if you consent to pause From cruel battle till we burn our dead: Then be the war renewed till fate shall part The hosts and give to one the victory.”

He spake; and all were silent for a space. Then spake at length the valiant Diomed:⁠—

“Let none consent to take the Trojan’s goods, Nor even Helen; for a child may see The utter ruin hanging over Troy.”