“No longer I avoid thee as of late, O son of Peleus! Thrice around the walls Of Priam’s mighty city have I fled, Nor dared to wait thy coming. Now my heart Bids me encounter thee; my time is come To slay or to be slain. Now let us call The gods to witness, who attest and guard The covenants of men. Should Jove bestow On me the victory, and I take thy life, Thou shalt meet no dishonor at my hands; But, stripping off the armor, I will send The Greeks thy body. Do the like by me.”
The swift Achilles answered with a frown: “Accursed Hector, never talk to me Of covenants. Men and lions plight no faith, Nor wolves agree with lambs, but each must plan Evil against the other. So between Thyself and me no compact can exist, Or understood intent. First, one of us Must fall and yield his life-blood to the god Of battles. Summon all thy valor now. A skilful spearman thou hast need to be, And a bold warrior. There is no escape, For now doth Pallas doom thee to be slain By my good spear. Thou shalt repay to me The evil thou hast done my countrymen— My friends whom thou hast slaughtered in thy rage.”
He spake, and, brandishing his massive spear, Hurled it at Hector, who beheld its aim From where he stood. He stooped, and over him The brazen weapon passed, and plunged to earth. Unseen by royal Hector, Pallas went And plucked it from the ground, and brought it back And gave it to the hands of Peleus’ son, While Hector said to his illustrious foe:—
“Godlike Achilles, thou hast missed thy mark; Nor hast thou learned my doom from Jupiter, As thou pretendest. Thou art glib of tongue. And cunningly thou orderest thy speech, In hope that I who hear thee may forget My might and valor. Think not I shall flee, That thou mayst pierce my back; for thou shalt send Thy spear, if God permit thee, through my breast As I rush on thee. Now avoid in turn My brazen weapon. Would that it might pass Clean through thee, all its length! The tasks of war For us of Troy were lighter for thy death, Thou pest and deadly foe of all our race!”