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Ajax son of Telamon answered, "Idaeus, bid Hector say so, <strong>for</strong> it was<br />

he that challenged our princes. Let him speak first and I will accept<br />

his saying."<br />

<strong>The</strong>n Hector said, "Ajax, heaven has vouchsafed you stature and strength,<br />

and judgement; and in wielding the spear you excel all others of the<br />

Achaeans. Let us <strong>for</strong> this day cease fighting; hereafter we will fight<br />

anew till heaven decide between us, and give victory to one or to<br />

the other; night is now falling, and the behests of night may not<br />

be well gainsaid. Gladden, then, the hearts of the Achaeans at your<br />

ships, and more especially those of your own followers and clansmen,<br />

while I, in the great city of King Priam, bring com<strong>for</strong>t to the Trojans<br />

and their women, who vie with one another in their prayers on my behalf.<br />

Let us, moreover, exchange presents that it may be said among the<br />

Achaeans and Trojans, '<strong>The</strong>y fought with might and main, but were reconciled<br />

and parted in friendship.'<br />

On this he gave Ajax a silver-­‐studded sword with its sheath and leathern<br />

baldric, and in return Ajax gave him a girdle dyed with purple. Thus<br />

they parted, the one going to the host of the Achaeans, and the other<br />

to that of the Trojans, who rejoiced when they saw their hero come<br />

to them safe and unharmed from the strong hands of mighty Ajax. <strong>The</strong>y<br />

led him, there<strong>for</strong>e, to the city as one that had been saved beyond<br />

their hopes. On the other side the Achaeans brought Ajax elated with<br />

victory to Agamemnon.<br />

When they reached the quarters of the son of Atreus, Agamemnon sacrificed<br />

<strong>for</strong> them a five-­‐year-­‐old bull in honour of Jove the son of Saturn.

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