Homer, Iliad

“Dear brother, full surely fleet Achilles doeth violence unto thee, [230] chasing thee with swift feet around the city of Priam. But come, let us stand, and abiding here ward off his onset.” Then spake to her great Hector of the flashing helm: “Deiphobus, verily in time past thou wast far the dearest of my brethren, that were born of Hecabe and Priam, [235] but now I deem that I shall honour thee in my heart even more, seeing thou hast dared for my sake, when thine eyes beheld me, to come forth from out the wall, while the others abide within.” To him then spake again the goddess, flashing-eyed Athene: “Dear brother, in sooth my father and queenly mother, yea, and my comrades round about me, [240] besought me much, entreating me each in turn that I should abide there, in such wise do they all tremble before Achilles; but my heart within me was sore distressed with bitter grief. Howbeit now let us charge straight at him and do battle, neither let there be anywise a sparing of spears, to the end that we may know whether Achilles [245] shall slay us twain, and bear our bloody spoils to the hollow ships, or whether he shall haply be vanquished by thy spear.” By such words and by guile Athene led him on. And when they were come near as they advanced one against the other, then first unto Achilles spake great Hector of the glancing helm: [250] “No longer, son of Peleus, will I flee from thee, as before I thrice fled around the great city of Priam, nor ever had the heart to abide thy onset; but now again my spirit biddeth me stand and face thee, whether I slay or be slain. But come hither, let us call the gods to witness, for they shall be the best [255] witnesses and guardians of our covenant: I will do unto thee no foul despite, if Zeus grant me strength to outstay thee, and I take thy life; but when I have stripped from thee thy glorious armour, Achilles, I will give thy dead body back to the Achaeans; and so too do thou.”