¶ The faithful and true story of the destruction of Troy, compiled by Dares Phrigius, which was a soldier while the siege lasted, Translated into english by Thomas Paynell.  
Anno. 1553.   

¶ To the right worshipful sir john Bourne Knight, one of the queens chief secretaries, Thomas Paynell wisheth all health and prosperity.  
AFter that this history of the tuyne & destruction of Troy written by the ancient historiograph Dares Phrigius, was even of late delivered me, translated into French, and that I had perused, & well perceived the truth, the pretty and fine conveyance there of, the politic and ingenius feats of martial acts, and the prudent persuasions and counsels, both of the Grecians, and of the Troyans' therein contained: I was so in love therewith, that incontinently I prepared both pen, ink, and paper, to translate the same into our english tongue: pondering there with, how pleasant & how profitable a thing it should be unto the nobility of this our realm, most fervently in these our days given to the knowledge of foreign histories, and subtle points and stratagenies of war, to have it, and to read it in english. For albeit that histories do indifferently avail all men, yet most specially noble and learned men, because that the knowledge of them is most profitable and necessary to all those, which have the governance of commonne weals, By these the minds of such noble and learned men may be stirred to the study of true nobility, and virtue. By these the beginning of empires is known, and why there hath chanced in them so great and so strange alterations and grievous commotions. In these are contained the precepts of offices and virtues, whereby the common weal may most prosperously be preserved, continued, and advanced. Histories do teach men what best beseemeth them to do, what may advance them, what may hurt and hinder them, what maketh them wealthy and rich, what maketh them poor and needy, what maketh them to flourish, what maketh them to be in misery, and how to know vile flatterers from sure and trusty friends: good and faithful ministers, from false feigning dissemblers. Such histories then, are a treasure which never ought to be refused nor rejected out of noble and learned men's hands, for by the diligent turning and reading of them, they may be as profitable unto the common weal, as to themselves, their friends, and private families, and therewith have an exact knowledge of all that is necessary to be known, concerning things done in times passed. Wherefore it shall please your gentleness, not to consider the rude handling of● this my small and simple gift, or that I judge it worthy so learned a man in all points as ye are, but to ponder the ancientness, and the truth of this history, the knowledge that may rise thereof, and my loving heart toward you.  
Farewell.   

The life of Dares Phrigius, taken out of Uolaterane.  
DAres Phrigius the historiograph hath w●ittē● greek the war of the Grecians & Troyans', in the which he himself played the soldier, as I sidore the first in a manner of all historiographes doth write. The which Dares (finally after the taking of Troy) remained in the retinue or band of Ant nor, as Cornelius Nepos writeth, the which translated out of Greek into latin the thing that Dares left in writing, dedicated to Crispus Salustius,   

¶ The original beginning of the Trojans.  
DArdanus, of whom the Troianstoke their radical and first beginning, the son of jupiter and Electra, Athlas daughter by the divine counsel leaving and forsaking Itali, went by Thracia unto the isle of Samos, and named it Samothracia. And from thence to Phrigia, the which in like manner he named of his own name, Dardana. Of this Dardanus is issued Erichtonius, of whom reigning there came Tros, a laudable man in justice and goodness: the which for the eternal memory and celebration of his name, caused and commanded that the country should be called Troy. This Tros engendered and begat two sons, the one he called Ilus, and the youngest and last borne Assaracus, the which, inasmuch as they were borne of the royal sceptre and blood, Ilus the eldest son & first borne, did reign, and of his name, named Troy, Ilium. Of him came Laomedon, and of Laomedon Priamus. Of Assaracus, came Anchises, and of Anchises Aeneas.  ¶ Cornelius Nepos Epistle, unto Crispus Salustius.  

¶ Cornelius Nepos unto Sallust his friend greeting.  
IN treating very curiously at Athens divers matters, there fell into my hands the history of Dares Phrigius, containing the wars of the Greeks & Troyans', written with his own hand, as the inscription doth declare: the which after I had effectuously retained, I incontinente translated it. And so doing, I to declare the thing more plainly, and to avoid doubtful obscurities, have added nor diminished nothing. For why, I thought it meet and good, so expressly to write it in latin word by word, that each one might most easily know and perceive, how the things therein contained were done, so that it might be the better believed and the things esteemed true, the which the historiographe being yet alive, when the divorce and conflict was between the Greeks and the Troyans', hath left in writing. Should men give more credence unto the poet Homer, the which was long after, affirming in his poetical writings, that the Gods made war against mortal men, and at Athens was taken for a fool, after the judgement and mind of all men? But leaving of such matters, let us return unto our purpose.   

The history of Dares Phrigius, of the ruin and destruction of Troy.  
PElias reigning in Peloponesa, had a brother named Ason. Of this man is issued jason, & very excellent man in virtue: the which for because he had been good to his subjects, entreating them humaynlye and gently, was much set by, and beloved of all men. King Pelias perceiving that jason was in such reputation and authority with all the people, feared greatly lest he should do him some wrong, depriving him of his kingdom. But to avoid the effect of such a doubtful and perilous suspicion, Pelias feigned that there was in the isle of Colchos a golden fleece of a sheep, a rich thing, and worthy of jasons puissance and strength, persuading him through promise of great recompense, to conquer and to bring it away perforce. Whereunto jason, as one of high courage and much desirous to see many and divers countries, thinking by such means greatly to advance, and to augment his honour, consented unto the enterprise, so that Pelias would so furnish him with men and other necessary things, that he should want or lack nothing.  
Then Pelias by and by commanded his chiefest carpenter named Argus, to make and prepare such fair and goodly ships, that they might please and content jason. As soon as the br●te was spread thorough all Grece, as well of the foresaid ships, as of the total and whole enterprise of jason into Colchos, his friends & familiares presented and offered their service and company unto him. After that jason had given them thanks, he prayed them to be ready, and wait for the opportune, and convenient time of his departure. They came at the self same time well minded and appointed unto the place signified and assigned unto them by jasons letters, that is to wit, where the ship was, called Argo. Pelias with all diligence caused the navy to be furnished with all things necessary, and exhorted jason and his company, courageously to accomplish the thing which was begun, & so doing that not they only, but also all Grece should obtain great honour and glory. But to declare by name all those that accompanied jason, I think it not meet nor to any purpose, let them therefore which be curious to know these things, read such authors, as have specially written of the Argonantes. jason then arriving & coming into Phrigia, came and brought his ships unto the haven of the river Simois, and there all his soldiers landed.  
But when king Laomedon was advertised thereof, he was greatly moved, as well for the great number of ships, which were arrived and rested there, as for the multitude of the young men of Grece, which were coming thither: considering also to be very dangerous unto his people in time to come, if the Greeks accustomed themselves so to arrive & to camp in his dominions and countries. Therefore Laomedon admonished them by Ambassadors to retire and depart out of his country, or else that he was minded rughelye & rudely to repulse them. The which thing was very strange to jason and his company, and not easily to be suffered, so ungentlely to be entreated of him, whom they never offended. Nevertheless, they fearing that through the ire and anger of the king, they might be destroyed and spoiled by the multitude of the barbarous people, if contrary to the will and commandment of Laomedon, they should make resistance, seeing they had no preparation to war, departed unto their ships, and finally came to Colchos, where they incontinent obtained the golden fleece, and returned unto their own country. A while after Hercules having in remembrance the evil receipt and entreating of Laomedon towards jason, went unto Sparta, to desire Castor and Posture, in Salamina, Che●amō, in Thessalia Peleus, in Pile Nestor, to favour and aid him to revenge the injury, that the Greeks had received of the king of Troy: the which thing was willingly promised him, and he declaring his mind unto Nestor, said he was sorry to be constrained to make war against the Troyans', whom Nestor did well allow. Hercules perceiving the good will of them all, caused. xv. ships to be made, and such men as were meet for the war to be gathered. When the time of his departure was come, and that he had assembled by his letters, & otherwise those which he had desired and prayed, and had prepared all things in a good order: they failed until they came by night into Phrigia, unto the port and haven of Sige, where that Hercules Thelamon, and Peleus did most diligently cause their host to be set a land, making Castor, Pollux, and Nestor the chief rulers to defend the shippes● Laomedon perceiving the Greeks army to be pitched, & in camp at the port of Sige, by and by went thither with a great company, and began to fight valiantly. In the mean season Hercules compassed about, and besieged the town Ilium, so that he molested the citizens very sore, having no word thereof, and undefended. Then Laomedom going thither to secure and to aid them, was slain of Hercules, with all his children, Priamus excepted which at that time (by his father's commandment) had the leading of an Army in Phrigia. The Troyans' army being thus destroyed, the town battarde, taken, spoiled, and overthrown, the Greeks (after they had filled their ships and vessels with the pillage and spoil) purposed to return home again. Among other things Thelamon for his boty took with him Hesiona king Laomidons daughter, whom Hercules for the virtue and excellency that was in him, and because he was the first that boldly approached unto the breach, and entered the town, gave for a reward. Priamus therefore perceiving that his father was dead, his ●itisens of Ilium subdued, & his sister Hesiona to be genen for a pray, was very sorry thus to see the state of the common wealth of Troy, entreated of the Greeks. Wherefore he returned, accompanied with his wife Hecuba, and his children, that is, Hector Alexander, Deiphobus, Helenus, Troilus, Andromacha, Cassandra, and Po●exena, to go into Ilium. He had also other children out of wedlock, but yet men esteemed them not, nor called none the kings children, but such as were lawfully begotten. Assoon as Priamus was come again to Troy, he edified his town again, he fortified it with much greater and stronger walls, repaired it with all kinds of munitions and fortresses, and with a great number of men of arms, fearing least he should be destroyed, and suddenly brought to ruin as his father Laomedon was. Besides all this, he builded a palace royal, where he consecrated a temple and an image unto jupiter. The names of the gates of the foresaid town are these, Antenorida, Dardamda, Ilia, Scea, Catumbria, Troiana. But after that he saw his town, and other things appertaining thereunto sufficiently prepared, he looked for a convenient time, to revenge the wrong that was done unto him in his goods, and in the person of his father. And therefore he purposed to send one of his an Ambassador into Grece, named Antenor, with a certain complaint to demand amense, aswell for the death of his father, and taking away of his goods, as for the ravyshement of his sister Hesiona: promising nevertheless willingly to endure and suffer, and to take all things in good part, so that his sister were restored him again. Antenor obeying the kings commandment, take shipping, and wandered so long upon the sea, that he came unto a place in Grece named Manesia: where Pelius received him, and feasted for the space of three days. At the fourth day he required him to declare the cause of his legation: the which answered that it was only to admonish the Greeks, to restore Hesiona. Peleus' understanding that, and that the matter some what touched him, took it unpatiently, and therefore he commanded him incontinent to retire from thence unto some other place. Ant nor not being therewith content, sailed unto Salamina, to persuade and induce Thelamon to restore Hesiona king Priamus' sister, declaring not to be right nor reasonable, to keep the daughter of a king in such bondage. Whereunto Thelamon annswered, that he had not offended Priamus, and that he was not minded to restore the thing, which was given him for his virtue and valiantness, and therefore that he should do his diligence to depart. Then Antenor took shipping as before, & went to Achaia, and there solicited Castor and Pollux to content Priamus, aswell for the ravishing of Hesiona, as for other things, the which denied with great boldness, that in no wise they had offended Priamus, but contrariwise that they and the other Grecians were first provoked and offended by Laomedon, therefore they commanded him to depart.  
Furthermore Antenor the Ambassador went to Pile unto Nestor for the self same thing, the which threatening did say, that he marveled that Antenor a Trojan was so bold and hardy to come into Grece, considering that the anset of malice was first given by the Troyans'. When Antenor perceived his labour lost, & also had heard the proud and bold answers of all the princes of Grece, he returned home, making a reckoning unto Priamns of his journey, and did him to understand and perceive the threatening answers of the grecians, and therewithal provoked him to make war against them. Priamus at the same self instant, called all his children, his friends, princes, and lords, as Anchises Aeneas, Ucalegon, Talantus, Amphotes, Panthus, and also his children begotten of his concubines, and recited unto them the whole order of the legation and message made unto the Greeks by Antenor in his name that is to wit, of the death of his father, of the ruyn● & destruction of 〈◊〉, & of the rape of Hesiona, whose restoring he promised to be a full satisfaction of all wrongs, and therewith the answer of them, the evil and unkind entreating showed unto his Ambassador. And therefore saying he could have no part of his mind, he purposed to prepare an host, to th'intent that the Grecians so punished, should not at any time have the barbarous Trojans in de●ision. first of all he admonished his children to take the principal charge of this thing, and specially Hector his eldest son, the which promised to fulfil the will and commandment of his father, and also that he would not only revenge the death of his grandfather, but also all the injuries and offences committed against his elders, to the intent the misdeeds of the Greeks should not remain unpunished: but yet he doubted much of the end of his enterprise, because that the Grecians should and might have great succour and aid of divers nations. Also because that in Europe were very strong men, and apt unto war, and in Asia men were delicately nourished in rest and idleness, and therefore destitute of a navy meet for such a purpose. This notwithstanding Alexader exhorted that a navy should be prepared for this journey unto Grece, offering himself to be the chief and principal conductor of the army, if it so pleased the king his father, such confidence he had in the Gods, and trusted to return unto his house victorious and triumphing over his enemies. For he said as he went a huntynge in the forest named Ida he fell a s●epe, unto whom Mercur●us came, saying he had chosen him ●udge as concerning the beauty of three goddesses there present. juno, Minerva, and Venus, and that Venus had promised him the fairest lady of all Grece, if among those three, he would judge and esteem her to be the fairest: and that for this reason and cause, Priamus should have the better hope, inasmuch as Venus did favour Alexander.  
This opinion did maruelouselye well please Deiphobus, whereby he trusted to have right, and satisfaction of the Greeks, if the thing which was enterprised, were followed. Helenus' clean contrary, as a true Prophet, foretold the coming of the Greeks, the Destruction that they should do in the country & town of Troy, the ruin of his father and brethren, if his brother Alexander brought away perforce a woman out of the country of Grece. Troilus the youngest son, but yet no less courageous and valiant than Hector, counseled, and persuaded a navy to be provided, and with all diligence to set forward unto Grece: and that men should not fear, nor have no regard unto his brother's words.  
Whose counsel was greatly allowed and approved of all men. This done, Priamus sent Deiphobus and Alexander into Licaonia, to choose out, & to gather together men, meet for the war, and to assemble the people to the counsel. After that Priamus had purposed to show these things unto his children, he, to the intent that the inferiors should be obedient unto their elders and superiors, declared unto them the injuries and wrongs that they had suffered of the Greeks. And that he had sent Antenor into Grece, to the intent he might be reasonably answered for his sister, and other things, and that Antenor was ignominiously received and entreated, nor could not accomplish, nor obtain any thing of his business, as concerning his legation: and therefore it was very expedient that Paris (as it was purposed) should revenge the death of his grandfather, and other grievous and great injuries committed unto the Trojans. He also commanded Antenor to show his mind, which encouraged the Trojans to make war upon the Greeks, showing them in few words what he had done, in Grece. Priamus or ever he went any further in this matter, did openly yet once again ask them, whether there were any of his, that agreed not unto this war, to th'end he should tell him in open field. Whereunto Panthus in the presence of Priamus & other, answered and spoke the thing, the which as he said, he had learne● of his father Enphorbius, that if Alexander brought a woman out of Grece, it should be the ruin and extreme misfortune of the Trojans: and that it were much more honest and better to live in tranquillity, then thorough wars, and other troubles to lose their ancient liberty, and so lightly to put them selves in hazard and icopardye.  
The people dispraised the counsel and authority of Panthus, and submitted themselves unto the kings will, as ready and disposed to do that should please him to command. And after that Priamus had promised to prepare ships, and other things to go into Grece, and that in such sort, that nothing should be lacking, they all with one boyce promised him their whole obedience. Priamus then thanked them, and so the counsel ceased and broke up. Therefore with all speed, Priamus did send labourers into the forest Ida, to hew timber to make ships. And in the mean season, he sent Hector into the high parts of Phrigia to assemble an Army. Canssandra now understanding and perceiving this enterprise, foretold the thing that should chance unto the Trojans, if her father would persevere and go on to molest the Grecians with war.  
But the time being now come, and the ships furnished, and the soldiers of Licaonia brought thither by Alexander and Deiphobus, there lacked nothing but their departure.  
Priamus having thus all things in a readiness made Alexander the general captain of his army, and with him as guides, Deiphobus, Aeneas, and Polidamus: commanding Alexander first to go unto Sparta to Castor and Pollux to commune with them for the restoring of Hesiona, and that performed, the people of Troy would be right well satisfied and content: and y● they denied him any thing, that he should be adversited thereof, to the intent he might send him fresh aid and secure. Then Alexander with his, and Antenor's the Ambassador's company, sailed into Grece. But yet or ever they came to the isle Eitherea, they recountered and met Menelaus in the mid way, going unto the pile, marveling and doubting to what part or cost this great army went.  
And so they met both together, and although they saw● and beheld one another, yet they were ignorant nor know not whither the one and the other went. Even upon the self same day Castor and Pollux were gone with their gales toward Clytaemnestra, & had brought thither Hermiona Helena her daughter. The day when Alexander came to Cytherea, was dedicated and holy in the honour of juno, in the which place he understood, that there was a temple of Diana and Venus, The Citherians demanding through great admiration what he was, and from whence this great and triumphant company was come, had this answer: that it was Alexander king Priamus ambassador to Castor and Pollux. Helen Menelaus wife knowing that Alexander was in Citharea so nobly and royally appointed, desired greatly to see him, and went to a town nigh unto the sea (called by her name Helena) where she purposed within the temple to do sacrifice unto Apollo and Diana. Alexander being very joyful of the approchement and coming of Helena, minding and remembering her great bwetye, began through a great desire and affection to see her and to go and meet her.  
Helena perceiving that Alexander was come to her town, no less desirous on her part to see Alexander, meet him by the way, where the one saying and beholding the other, were even forthwith taken with such love, that they appointed the time and convenient hour to speak and comen together.  
Therefore Alexander commanded all his men to be in a readiness in their ships, purposing in the night following to take Helena and a certain numbered of her damsels as she was doing sacrifice in the temple. The which thing was fulfilled & done. The citizens perceiving that, sought very long against him, but yet they failed so much to recover their Helen, that they themselves through the multitude and great company of Alexander, were overcome, the temple and the town spoiled, many prisoners carried away: this done, incontinent they loosed & hoist up their sails purposing to return from thence, he came to an haven named Tenedon, where after he had comforted Helen being very heavy, he certified his father Priamus by letters of all things that was done. Menelaus being in Pylas was certtfied of this deed which went with all speed unto Sparta with Nestor from whence he sent Argos desiring his brother Agamennon to come thither to him  
In the mean time Alexander came home to his own house with his pray, recited the order and disscourse of all his doings, whereof Priamus was very joyful trusting that at the lest his sister Hesiona through the recovering of Helen should be restored with other recompense and satisfaction of all that here to fore the Greeks had destroyed, pylde, and carried out of the country, & from the people of Troy. And after he had with fair words comforted the desolate Helen, he married her to his son Alexander. Assoon as Canssandra beheld her she began to prophesy even as before. And therefore by the commandment of Priamus she was taken and closed up.  
After that Agamemnon was come into Sparta, and had comforted his brother, they purposed to send into all Grece to complain them of this open injury, and that to revenge the same, it was necessary to proclaim war against the Trojans. Where Achilles, Patroclus, & Diomedes went purposely into Sparta to Agamemnon ready with arms to revenge the iniurius deed of the Trojans, appointing Agamennon to be chief of all the army. After this they signified through out all Grece their interprince, to the intent that every man should be ready in arms at the assemble in the port of Athens, to defend their right and honour, and to revenge the ravishment of Helen.  
Among whom Castor and Pollux followed the company with ships unto the port Lesbe, because of the wrong committed in the person of their sister Helen, but yet through a certain rage that chanced there even sondenly, they left of to sail and to follow, and vanished away as it had been the air, in so much that in no part they were ever seen after.  
Therefore men esteemed them to be transported into heaven, and set in the range and number of the Gods immortal. And notwithstanding that the inhabiters of Lesbian sought and pursued them by the sea with ships and galls even unto Troy: Yet there is no mention that ever they were found again Dares Phrigius the author of this history, being present at all fields and journeys even until Troy was sacked, sayeth, that he saw them in the time of war and truces, and furthermore that he learned of the Greeks the grace, face and nature of them both. He sayeth therefore that they were like one another, their here was somewhat yellow, great eyes, fair faced and cleave, & well made and furnished with all the members of the body.  
Helen was somewhat like unto these, fair, of a sweet grace and simple, well made of her members, and a little spot between her brows, and a little mouth. As touching Priamus the king of Troy, he was of a fair behawer, great, and sweet in words, of body somewhat swart. Hector lisped, white courld herd, ●andblynde, light and quick membered, of a venerable countenance, berd, well proportioned, hardy in war, courageous, gentle to his subjects proper & meet, & worthy to be beloved. Deiphobus & Helenus like unto their father of face, but of divers natures & manners Deiphobus was strong, Helenus' gentle, wise, foretelling the things that were to come.  
Troilus great, very strong, very fair, valiant, and for his age wise, and desirous of virtue.  
Alexander was white, strong, very fair eyed, yellow herd and soft, fair mouthed, a sweet voice, quick covetous of domination.  
Aeneas' ruddy, square, eloquent, good to speak withal, religius, wise in counsel, fair, open and quick eyed and black.  
Antenor, long, slender, light membered variable, dissembling, and ware. Hecuba great, but somewhat broad of body, fair modest, of a manly constancy, just & good. Andromacha clear eyed, long, fair modest, wise, chaste, sweet.  
Cassandra, of a mean stature ●ounde mouthed, ruddy, glistering eyes, knowing the things that were to com● Polixena, white, high, fair, long necked, fair eyed, long here, right up, her members well made, and well proportioned, long fingerde, straight legged, her feet well compassed, of mind simple, liberal, sumptuous, and in bwetye far passing all other. Agamemnon white of body, great, strong of members, eloquent, prudent, noble, and rich. Menelaus mean of stature, r●ddy, fair, acceptable, and of a good grace. A chill courageous, fair mouthed, very strong of arms, very cour●d herd, gentle, rugh in arms, a merry face, liberal, his here of the colour of mir. Patroclus' fair of body, green eyed, strong shamefast, fearful with modesty, right up, wise, liberal. Aiar Oileus square, mighty of members, swart of body, merry, strong, and sage. Ajax Thelamonius, valiant, clear of voice, black herd and curled, simple, sweet of spirit, otherwise furious against his enemies. Ulixes, assured crafty, mean of stature, of face joyful, eloquent, sage, rude and anstere in war, very sharp, heddye substel, impatient, hardy. Diomedes strong, square of body, honest of face austere, sharp in war, often crying, subtle, impatient, dumb, harrdy. Nestor great, lodge nosed, large, white through out all his body, good in counsel and wise.  
Protesslaus of a resplendent body of a good and honest grace, assured, light, presumptuous.  
Neoptolemus great, courageous, despiteful, stammering, of a crooked visage, round eyed, proud.  
Palamedes, slender, long, sage, of a great heart, and glozing.  
Podalirus gross, valiant, proud, heavy. Machaon great, strong, prudent, patient, prompt and ready to mercy. Merion of a mean stare, ruddy, merry of face, vicious, obstinate, cruel, impatient.  
Briseis fair, not to high of statuer. White yellow herd, and soft, with frowning brows, fair eyed, a well proportioned body, sweet, shamefast, simple and good. Thus the Greeks navy being ready and instructed, came to Athens. The first was Agamemnon from Mycenae's with a hundred ships. Menelaus from Sparta with three score. Archelaus and Protenor from Bruce with fifties Ascalaphus and Almenus from Orceine with thirtie● Epistrophus and Schedius from Phocis with forty.  
Ajax Thelamon for company sake brought from Salamine his brother Teucer, Bublation, Amphimacus, Dorius, Theseus, and Polisemus with forty ships.  
Nestor came from Pile with lxxx. ships in numbered. Thoas from Etolia with three score. Ajax Oileus from Locres with seven & thirty ships. Antippus, Phidippus and Thoas of Alcedone with thirty shyppes● Idomeneus & Meriones from Crete with four scour ship Protesilaus and Protarchus from Philaque with forty. Podalirius and Machaon the son of Esculapius with forty and two.  
Achilles with Patroclns and the Myrmidons from Pithia with fifty. Telepolemus from roods with eight. Euripilus from Ormena with three score. zantippus and Amphimacus from Elida with twelve. Polibetes and Leontius from Larissa with forty ships. Diomedes, Euripilus, Steleneus from Argos with fonre scour.  
Philoctetes from Melebra with seven. Enneus from Ci●ers with xxi. ships. Proteus from Magnesa with xl. Agapenor from Arcadia with forty. Mnesteus from Athenes, with fifty. Creneus from Pile with two and twenty. The names of the captains of Grece do mount unto three score and nine, the which brought to the war about a leaven hundred and forty ships.  
After that they were all come to Athenes, Agamemnon called his captains to counsel, praised them and exhorted them to maintain their right and quarrel, promising to content them at their pleasure.  
Furthermore, they thought it very good, or ever they departed to take counsel of Apollo, where unto every man accorded. And to do this thing, Achilles was sent with Patroclus unto Delphos. In the mean while Priamus being well advertised of the will & preparation of his enemies gathered men throughout all his countries exhorting every man courageously to defend his contrei. When Achilles and Delphos had understanded by the oracle, that the Greeks should bear away the victory, and Troy at the tenth years end should be taken and destroyed by them, he did sacrifice unto God Apollo, as it was commanded. At the self same time likewise Calchas was sent to Delphos to gratify Apollo with gifts and rich jewels, for the Trojans, & to counsel with him of the state of his realm & other goods, unto who it was answered by the oracle, and counseled, that he should confederate himself with thee Greeks against the Trojans, & that he should bear them asmuch favour as he might possible in disclosing the thing that he might per●eyue and vndersta●de of the affairs of Troy, to this intent, that the Greeks should not leave of nor depart until Troy were taken and destroyed. Achilles & Calchas met together within the temple, & after they had confederate their answers of the oracle together, the which were like and agreeable, they rejoiced & confirmed their alliance and amity. So they came together to Athenes, where Calchas was gently received of all the grecians. Their ships being now prepared to sail, they were suddenly taken, and troubled with an horrible & a marvelous tempest: therefore Calchas as a prophet counseled them to turn their sails to some other part, and go towards the port named Aulis, unto the which they came at the last. Af●e● that Agamemnon had with sacrifice apaysed and satisfied Diana, he cansed to hoist up their sails, and to go on unto Troy, and to do this more easly● Philocte was unto than as a guide, the which before time had been with the Argonantes in the land of Troy. By the wai they came unto a town appertaining to Priamus, which after they had taken and sacked, they went to Tenedon, killing man, woman and child, the which they took in like manner. But Agamemnon divided the spoiye among his soldiers. This done, he called a counsel wherein it was concluded, that Diomedes and Ulixes should go unto Priamus, requiring him to restore Helen with other things ravished and taken away by Alexander. During the time that these men communed with Priamus, Achilles & Thelephus were sent to take Misia for a pray, where king Teuthras reigned. Where when they came, they spoiled all the country.  
And Achilles so wounded the king coming in arms in the defence of his country, that he fell to the ground, whom Telephus covered with his shield, that Achilles slew him not out of hand, and that because in times passed Teuthras had liberally received Telephus Hercules son into his house, being yet but very young.  
Some other do say, that even then Hercules had slain Diomedes with his pusiant and wild horses, and delivered all his kingdom into the hands of Teuthras and that Telephus therefore had succurred him. But Teuthras perceiving that through that stroke he could not escape death, he being yet alive delivered his kingdom of Misia unto Telephus, and instituted him king as his heir and successur, whom after that he was deed Telephus did bury most honourably. finally, Achilles showed Telephus that the best conservation of his kingdom and to the intent that in his necessity, he might be succuered and helped of the Greeks: was to furnish and yearly to prepare a certain quantity of corn out of his realm, for the Greeks camp, whereby he himself with his host should not go against the Trojans: but remain at home for the more surer conservation of his new kingdom. This ended, Achilles returned with a great pray and booty from Misia to Tenedon: reciting at length to Agamemnon and his companions, what he had done, of whom he was greatly praised, for his industry & viligence. In the mean while the Ambassadors of Grece recited and declared unto Priamus the causes of their legation, and the will of Agamemnon, that is: to know if the Trojans would restore Helen with the other booty, and that the Greeks being satisfied and contented for those things, would peaceably return again. For an answer Priamus recited the injury of the Argonauts, the destruction and sacking of Ilium, the death of his father, the violent rape and injust servitute, in the which his sister Hesiona was detained by the Greeks, the evil and ungentle entreating of Antenor his Ambassador in Grece: therefore he denied the peace, denunced war, and commanded them to return, and departed out of his country. The Ambassadors being returned, and the answer of Priamus declared to the Greeks, the matter was revoked into the counsel. Now we think it good to recite the names and provinces of the Lords and princes, which came with them hosts, to succour Priamus against the Greeks. First from C●●ia came Pandarus and Amphide●stns from Colophonia, Amphimacus and Mnesteus.  
from Licia, Sarpedon and Glaucus. from Larissa Hippor●ogus and Cupesu●. From Cironia Remnes. from Thracia Pyrus & A●canus. From P●onia Paractemesus, & Teropeus. From Phrigia Ascanuis Zantippus, and Portius, from Eliconia. Eusemeus● from Beocia Asuneus and Foricus from Buctiva Epistropolis and Boccius from Palaconia Philleminus, from Ethiopia Pirses and Mennon, from Thracia Heseus & Archilogus, from Agrestia Adrastus and Amphius, from Auzoni● Epistrophus. Unto these companies and hosts, Priamus appointed Hector for chief and principal Captain, next after Deiphobus, consequently Alexander, Troilus, Aeneas, & Memnon. And as Agamemnon on the other part took deliberation, and made provision for the enterprise● came Palamedes the son of Nauplius from Corma with thirty ships, and excused himself, that he came not to the assemble at Athens, withholden and let by sickness, but that he came incontinent, and assoon as it was possible for him to come, and as the opportunity of time would serve. The which excuse was taken of all other in good part, gave him thanks, and prayed him to assist them, as one of the counsel. And forasmuch as the Grecians doubted of their setting forward to Troy, they would know Palamedes counsel, whether they should give the assault to Troy by day or by night. He answered, that he found none occasion, why they should give the assault by night, but in the mids of the day, as he thought it most expedient, whereunto they all consented and agreed, and choice Agamemnon captain of all the army. The which sent forthwith Hesiodus Demorantes & Anius into Misia & other places for sufficient furniture of vitelles & other munitions: which done he called for his men of war, and praised, admonished, and exhorted them to be dilgente, faithful, and to their superiors obedient. And after the sign was gived, they sailed, and finally came with all their ships unto Troy. The Trojans being advertised thereof, defended their borders and limits manfully. Protesilaus made excurtions and roads by land, beat down and chased all before him, until that Hector meet him, whom he slew, chased the other, and put them out of order. But where Hector was not, there, the Trojans were chased & overthrown. And after great occision and murder on all parts, at length cometh to the field Achilles, constraining the Trojans to i'll, and chased them into Troy. And so long continued the skirmish, that the night separated the battle. Agamemnon set the rest of his host upon the land and campt all his men together.  
Hector the next day following brought his men out of the city, and afterwards campt, and set them all in good order. Agamemnon on the other side, went with a great brute to meet him, whereof ensued a very sharp and furious battle, wherein was none so valiant nor so strong, that fell not to the ground. Hector even at the first slew Patroclus, spoiled and cast him out of the army. Furthermore he pursued Merion, the which he slew in like manner. And as he was occupied & busy about the spoil, Mnesteus gave him a struck with his sword in the thigh. But notwithstanding he was so wounded, he ceased not to lay on and strike until he had smitten down a great numbered of his enemies, & manfully pursuing the other, he caused than to forsak the filled If Ajax Thelamonius had not suddenly come thither, with whom Hector encountering knew that he was of his blood, that is son of Hesiona his father Priamus sister. Therefore at his request he caused the fire to cease and to be removed from the Grecians ships and all his army to retire. After that the one had gratified the other with gifts, they departed good friends. The next day following the Greeks obtained a truce. Agamemnon to the honour of Protesilaus made noble funerals, and caused all other to be buried. Achilles' mourned, and celebrated funeral plays for his friend Patroclus.  
Whilst the truce continued, Palamedes continually moved sedition, saying that Agamemnon was unworthy to be principal of the army and therefore in the presence of all the men of war he showed himself, and his willing study & diligence to the things pertaining to the war he returned out of the camp to set an order in the munitions, & in the disposition of the watch, to know and understand the usual signs of war, to see equity of measures & weights, & to be short, for the instruction of all the whole camp.  
After this deed he said that it was not reasonable, that Agamemnon which was chosen of a small numbered of men to this dignity, should command, and be superior of all those, the which were to come to the war, considering that all inferiors and subjects do look and hope for some virtue in their captains In the mean season that the Greeks quarreled and discorded thus among themselves for the superiority, and that two years were expired, the war was renewed and set up again. Wherein of the grecians part were chief doers Agamemnon, Achilles and Deomedes and Menclaus.  
Of the other part: Hector, Troilus, and Aeneas. And when they recountered and met one with another, there was great murder, and the most valiants of both parts were slain.  
Hector among all the other slew Boetes, Archilocus, and Protenor. But yet the night departed the battle.  
Then after that Agamemnon had called his Captains to counsel, he boldly admonished them to prepare them selves to fight, and principally against Hector, the which had all ready slain the most Ualyaunte Captains amounge them.  
The next day following in the morning, the Army of the Troyannes was lead and guydyd by Hector, Aeneas, and Alexander.  
Against whom the force and the whole nobility of the grecians so set themselves, that of both sides in this furious imbekering a great numbered of men were slain.  
There Mevelaus & Ajax instantly pursued Alexander which thing he perceiving, with a flying dart smote Menclaus through the thigh with which struck notwithstanding he was moved with great pain, yet ceased not with Ajax the king of Locrus to pursue him. But Hector perceiving his brother in this danger came accompanied with Aeneas in his defence, whom Aeneas brought out of the mids of the army into the city, but the night ended the battle.  
The next day following, Achilles and Diomedes guided the army: and of the other side Hector and Aeneas, There was great murder.  
Hector killed Orchomemes, Oramenes, Palamon, Epistrophus, Schedius, Delpenor, Dorius, and Polixemus all captains. Aeneas slew Amphimacus, and Nerius. Achilles on the contrary part slew Euphenius, Hipocrates, and Ascerius. Diomedes, zantippus and Mestes. Agamemnon considering that his most strongest and most valiant men were slain, retired, whereof the Trojans being very joyful, returned to their camp. Agamemnon held a counsel, stirred up his captains, and other to sustain and manly to fight for that that was to come, and by no means to leave of: and in asmuch as a great part of his army was already destroyed, he trusted day by day that a fresh company of soldiers should come from Misya to aid and secure them. The next day following, he constrained at his h●oste and captains to go to battle, and contrary wise the Troyans' were brought to the filled under the conduct of Hector: where the smote so rudely on the one part and on the other, that there fell many thousands, both Greeks and Trojans. And thus they continued manfully fighting for the space of four score days. Agamemnon perceiving that his men decayed more and more, & in so great a numbered, & that he was so greatly letted that he could not as yet intent to bury, his dead corpses: he demanded of Priamus by ambassadors truce for in. years, that they might have a convenient time to bury the dead, aswell of the one part as of the other & to heal the wounded, & to repair their ships, and to gather men, victals, & other ●●nitions together. Ulixes & Diomedes were sent by night towards Troy on this message, whither as they were going they met Dolon the T●opane, which questioned with them, wherefore they came so aimed into the city of Troy. To whom the answered, that they were ambassadors sent by Agamennon to Priamus. Priamus knowing that they were come, & perceiving their will I mind, caused ●continent an assemble of his chiefest & led captains, & in the counsel he opened the truce required of Agemennon for three years, the which Hector found very suspitius & strange, because of the long time & continuance thereof. But Priamus willed ●uer● man to say his advice. They thought it good all, to suffer the Grecians to have truce for three years. In the mean space, the Troyans' repaired their fortrases These three years being now expired and ended, and that the time of war was come: The Trojans came first into the field under the conduct of Hector & Troilus. And the Greeks under Agamemnon, Menelaus, and Diomedes. They made great occision. Hector in the very point of the army slew Phidippus, and zantippus' captains. Achilles Liconius, and Enphorbius Trojans And of one part and an other there died a great number of soldiers and foot men: yet that notwithstanding they ceased not to fight sharply the space of thirty days continually. Priamus perceiving that he had lost the greatest part of his host, sent ambassadors unto Agamemnon to demand truce for six months: The which thing by the deliberation of the counsel, was granted him. The time of truce being expired, they fonghte very manfully together by the space of twelve days, where that on both sides many stout warriors were smitten down, many wounded, and afterwards died.  
Agamemnon demanded a truce of Priamus for thirty days, to bury his men the which were slain, which thing Priamus through good counsel did grant him. The time of the war being come, the truce ended: Andromacha Hector's wife had knowledge by her dream which she recited unto Hector, that as that day he should not enter into the battle, the which thing Hector mispraised and took it for a fable and for a woman's dream.  
Andromacha being full of heaviness, prayed Priamus to let Hector as that day from the battle. Therefore Priamus sent Alexander, Helenus, Troilus and En●as to the conflict and battle. Hector perceiving that reproved greatly Andromacha & bade her bring him forth his harness, for he could not by no means stay himself. For this cause Andromacha (the which had moved all the city with her complaints and lamentations) went towards Priamus reciting unto him the thing that she by her dream had learned of Hector, and that he not withstanding that, by force and hastiness had cast and conveyed himself into the midst of the battle. And with her son Ast●max in her arms she kneeled down to Priiamus, beseeching him that for that day, he would withdraw Hector from the battle Then Priamus sent them all to war, only Hector retained. Agamemnon Achilles and Diomedes, and Ajax Locrus perceiving the absence of Hector were encouraged, and bolded to fight the more sharply, and in such sort that they slew many captains, and other great lorde●● of Troy. Then Hector being advertised that in this skirmyshe the Troynes were in great travail and da●nger●cast himself into the battle, and out of hand killed Idumeus, L●outheus, wounded Hiphilus very sore, and with a dar● pierced the thigh of Steneleus.  
Achilles' seeing divers of his most valiannt men cast down by the hand of Hector, prepared himself against him, and enforced him to meet him face to face, thynkyngeful well that if he overcame him not that he would destroy, and beat many of his men: but in the mean season the battle was very sore. Hector in this conflict and battle slew Polibetes a very excellent captain, and as he enforced himself to spoil him, Achilles came, so that the fight was augmented, and a great brute moved throughout all the camp and city, whom Hector finally wounded in the thigh. Therefore Achilles moor cherelye pursued him, and left not of his enterprise, until he had smitten him to death, put all the Trojans to flight & chased them with the Dente of the sword unto their town gates, whom Memon resisted manfully, fought with him until the night separated them both sore wounded. And among all other Achilles being wounded departed from the army. All that night the Trojans cessed not to lament the death and the absence of valiant Hector.  
The next day following the Trojans entered again into battle, under the conduct of Memon. Agamemnon counseled and persuaded his men to require a truce for two mouths, that men might bury them which were slain in battle. Therefore they sent unto Priamus, of whom they es●lye obtained their demand.  
Then caused Priamus his son Hector to be buried before the gates Troy, and magnificent pomps and funeral plays to be celebrated. While the time of the foresaid truce endured, Palamedes ceased not to complain of the empire and principality of Agamemnon.  
Therefore Agamemnon without any contradiction there unto, said that he would remit the matter to the discretion and will of the people. The next day following, he assembled all the people, where he purged himself, and showed that he never coveted such authority, considering that he was king and lord of Mycenes, the which sufficed him: but alonely the utter destruction of Troy, & that he would be well agreeable to all that the people would define, and unto him that should be set and appointed unto his estate.  
Then in presence of them all, he demanded of every man his devise. There Palamedes presented himself, willing to cause men to perceive and understand his good spirit, judgement and counsel, in the feats of war. Of which occasion, the Greeks appointed him their grand captain, which after he had given them thanks, began to exercise the right of that, that not long before he had enterprised.  
Achilles never approved but utterly blamed this alteration, yet that notwithstanding (the truce being ended) Palamedes appointed his host in good order, and encouraged them to fight manfully. Deiphobus on the other part did asmuch for the Trojans, the which at the sight triumphed to fight, among whom Serpedon with his men did so much purswed the Greeks, that he killed and smote down a great numbered. In this fight Tlepolemus Rhodius met with him, the which aswell in the battle as otherwise was finally overcomed. secondly, in his stead and place, Perses the son of Adneste fortified and renewed the conflict, the which likewise coming to the battle was slain of Serpedon almost hand to hand. But yet Serpedon being sore wounded was compelled to withdraw himself from the filled. Thus for a certain days the skirmished and fought, and divers knights on both parts were destroyed and slain, but yet of Priamus his bound the greater number. The troyane's ambassadors obtained a truce, and for the time that it endured, they on both parts buried the dead, provided to heal their wounded. And when on both parts they had taken & given good assurance and promise, they Greeks went unto Troy for their pastime, and the Trojans unto the Greeks camp. In the mean season Palamedes sent Agamemnon Athamantes & Demophon together unto Thesida to prepare muntitions, and principally to take up corn that grew in Misya pertaining to Telephus, and to cause it to be brought unto them. When they were come to that place, the Ambassadors recited unto Telephus the sedition of Palamedes, wherewith he was greatly miscontent. Agamemnon's perceiving this, desired Telephus not to be displeased, saying that the thing was done by his will and consent.  
When their ships were charged, they returned. Palamedes in this pass time fortified his camp round about with fortrases and rampires. In the mean while the Trey●mes also oversaw ●h●ir army, made walls, towers, ditches, and other meet & convenient things aswell for the protection and defence of the town, as for the instruction and feats of wa●●e.  
While these things now were a doing, Priamus, Hecuba & Polixena with other princes of proye, celebrated (about Hector's leave) his year mind, whither there came Achilles, and beholding Polixena king Priamus' daughter, was by and by greatly taken with her love. Then as an impatient lover, he lived for a time in all solicitude and anguish, partly because Agamemnon was deposed from the impier, and that he was subject to Palamedes. Then he sent a faithful servant of his a Trojan, unto Hecuba to demand Polixena to be his wife, and so doing heard his Myrnidons would depart, and by that means the rest of the Greeks. The servant being now come to Hecuba, showed the content of his legation & message. Whereunto the foresaid Hecuba answered, that she was well content, if it so pleased Priamus her husband. In the mean while that she declared the matter to Priamus, and that by her commandment the servant was departed: Agamemnon went with a great company unto his camp. Then Priamus to that that Hecuba had propounded unto him, answered, that it was a thing impossible, not because he esteemed Achilles to be insufficient, or otherwise unworthy of his alliance, but the the Greeks (although he gave him Polixena, & that he & his bond departed) would never the soonerdeparte.  
Furthermore, that it were not reasonable to join and marry his daughter to dies enemy, And therefore he esteemed good, if Achilles would ensue and follow his enterprise, that they should first and above all things, make a perpetual peace between them, and that the Greeks host should return and depart, so that their alliances and agreements might be well assured and confirmed, and that thing being once ended, he would willingly give him his daughter.  
Achilles even as it was appointed sent his servant again unto Hecuba, for to know the will and deliberation of Priamus, the which being known, the servant by and by brought it unto his master. Therefore Achilles began in presence of them all, greatly and by all means to complain him, declaring it to be unlawful, that for one Helen all Europe and Grece should be destroyed, and that by so long war, so great a number of men should be lost, the liberty of the countrei to be brought unto bondage and cast under foot: therefore it were good and necessary for them to make peace, and to go their ways. Thus they consumed a whole year. After all this Palamedes repaired and set up his army. And on the other part Deiphobus. Achilles' being not therewith content, was not at the skirmish. Palamedes moved by a certain occasion, 〈◊〉 prepared himself against Deiphobus, that he slew him: the war on the one part & on the other was sharply stirred up & fought, in that which many a man did perish. Palamedes in this conflict held the point, and the vanguard, that the more freely he might ●olden & stir up his men to fight, & even so as they met, he slew Serpedon the Trojan. And thinking to glorify & to rejoice himself in this deed, Alexander shot him thorough the body with an arrow. The other Trojans seeing that, ceased not to cast darts, as though Palamedes had not been dead, for whose death the Greeks were discomfited, and went back unto their camp, and the Trojans pursuing them, broke in, put their camp out of ●●●er, & burned their ships. Achilles' advertised of this, dissembled the matter, but Ajax Thelamonius valiantly sustained the thing until the night departed the battle. The Greks all the night long bewailed most heavily Palamedes, because of his knowledge, equity, virtue & clemency: the Troyans' likewise most ruefully the death of Serpedon & Deiphobus. The ancient Nestor all that night called the captains to counsel for to elect and choice a head captain to the army, and if it seemed expedient unto them, to choose without any further controversy Agamemnon again. He asked, and stirred every one to say his advice and mind, he showed them also, how that in times passed all things succeeded prosperously, & that the whole host lived fortunately under the conduct of Agamemnon.  
Whereupon Agamemno was chosen superior by the whole consent of them all. The next day following the Trojans went forth boldly to the battle, and so did Agamemnon, until that on both parts they were chased one from the other.  
But after the day was well spent  
Troilus returneth with the first into the filled, and fought strongly, killing and destroying, insomuch that he chased the Greeks into their tents.  
And again, the next day following, the Trojans set themselves first in the filled. And Agamennon against them: there was a sore conflict seven days continually, in so much that the Trojans slay divers lords and captains of the greeks. And Agamennon obtained a truce for two months, caused Palamedes and other Lords of Grece honourably to be buried.  
During the time of this truce, Agamemnon sent unto Achilles, Nestor, Ulixes and Diomedes, praying and desiring him to take deliberation, and to go to war.  
Achilles' being heavy and sore troubled purposed not to give one stroke against the Trojans, as he had promised Hecuba, for the great & singular love that he bore to Polixena, nor received not the foresaid ambassadors with good countenance. But answered them that he (all war set a parr) desired peace.  
Agamemnon perceiving that, called his lords and captains, and also the better part of his men of war to counsel, and to take deliberation what were best to b● done in this matter, & of this he asked every man's advice. Menelaus began first to animate Agamemnon his brother to war, and that for one Achilles he should not leave of the enterprise, she wing them that the strength of the Trojans was greatly broken and demished through the absence of Hector, consedering that they in all their bands had none like unto him. Contrary wise Diomedes and Ulixes did stifelye affirm that Troilus was even as wise, and as valiant as ever was Hector. Against whom Menelaus resisting, ceased not as before to persuade the war.  
And to this purpose Calchas (taught by the oracle) persuaded the war, and in the same he promised the Greeks to be victorious. The time of truce being expired, the Greeks went to the filled, under the conduct of Agamemnon, Mekelans, Diomedes and Ajax, where they fought very strongly to the great occision of the one part and of the other.  
Troilus wounded Menelaus very grievously, and slew many, the other he chased at the point of his sword, so that the night separated them. The next day all the Greeks fought strongly against the Trojans, prepared to fight by Troilus and Alexander, Troilus hurt Diomedes, and did asmuch pursuing Agamemnon, and afterwards many other.  
Thus they continued sharply fighting for certain days, and a great numbered of men were smitten down on every part. Agamemnon considering that day by day he lost a great number of his men, & that he could no longer bear such losses, demanded a truce for vi. months, that which thing Priamus recited unto the counsel, where that among all the assembles, some with all their power withstood it, because of the long truce which they demannded: but rather they required to sack the grecians, to pill and to spoil them of all their goods, and to set their ships a fire.  
Yet notwithstanding after that every man had said his mind, the truce by the consent of them all, was granted. During the time of the truce, Agamemnon did royally bury his people, and caused Diomedes and Menelaus the which were hurt, to be most diligently entreated, and asmuch did the Trojans on their part.  
This done, Agamemnon (the time of truce continuing) went himself by the deliberation of the counsel, to Achilles to persuade him to the war. Achilles' troubled as before, withstood it, & would be no traitor, but said that it were better to demand peace: But because that in this case with honesty he could deny Agamemnon nothing, he promised him that in the time of war he would send his men to aid him, praying him that for the rest he might be excused. Then Agamemnon heartily thanked him. The time of the war coming on, the Greeks & the Trojans prepared themselves one against another. Achilles' first sent his Myrmidons prepared & appointed in good & sufficient order, the which caused the war to be a great deal the stronger & greater: this not withstanding Troilus at the first shock won, chased the Myrmidons, made roads and skirmishes even unto the Greeks camp, and killed many here & there aswell of the Greeks as of the Myrmidons, other he maimed very greatly, and for all the risistaunce that Ajax Thelamonius thought to do the Trojans  to their city with at honour and victory.  
The next day Agamemnon with the Greeks and the Myrmidons came first into the filled, against whom Troilus (after long & terrible war unto the death of many a man) had so strongly sustained & pursued the Myrmidons, that some he chased, & the other he slew on the gorund For this cause, & to bnrye his men, Agamemnon demanded a trace for thirty. days, the which Priamus granted him, to do the like things on his part.  
After the truce, the Trojans and the Greeks as before, began the war again, and fought sharply. Troilus the most part of the day was the first in the battle, he fought marvelously, and smote many to the ground. Then the Greeks w● a great clamour & cry fled their ways. But when Achilles understood that Troilus did so furiously spoil the Greeks, & therewith without ceasing smote down the Myrmidons, he came to the battle, w● whom Troilus valiantly encountered, that he wounded him very sore, whereof he was constrained, even being hurt to departed from the battle.  
Thus they continued the space of six days. The seventh day both the hosts chased each other, & were constrained mutually to retire. Achilles' being absent for a while because of his wounds & pains, set in a ray, encouraged & commanded his Myrmidons with strength & fierceness to set upon Troilus person. The same day about the end thereof, Troilus entered a horse back very joyful into the battle, whereof the Greeks being advertised, cried out mainly, so that the Myrmidon's coming to there aid made their whole force and battle according to Achilles' commandment against Troilus, by whom a great number of them were slain. In this cruel and strong battle Troilus horse was wounded and fell down betwixt his legs, so that Troilus being let through the fall so his horse, & the straightness of his harness, was constrained to fall, whereof Achilles being advertised, came w● all speed, slew him, and would have drawn him a side and carried him away, but that he was let by Memnon, the which came suddenly upon him. This Memnon after he had taken away and delivered the body of Troilus from the enemies, wounded Achilles, by means whereof he departed from the battle, the which Memnon perceiving, with a company of Trojans perswed him, of whom Achilles having knowledge, and his wounds being somewhat amended, fought in such sort for a time, that through many & violent wounds he killed him, & so wounded departed. After that the king of Perses was slain, the rest fled to the town, so that the night did sever and departed them. And therefore the next day (the gates being spared) Priamus sent unto Agamemnon, demanding a truce for twenty days, the which was granted him. Priamus caused Troilus and Memnon to be buried with great pomp and triumph, and aswell the greeks as the Trojans caused their dead corpses to be buried. Hecuba with all he●nes & desolation lamented that Achilles had so cruelly destroyed her two sons Hector & Troilus so strong & valiant & in her feminine counsel, she thought & purposed to revenge such injury. Therefore she 〈◊〉, monished, and persuaded her son Alexander to revenge the injury done to him & his brethren: that is secretly, and by spies to take Achilles' unprovided, and to kill him.  
The which thing they might easily do, in asmuch as Achilles had through a singular desire demanded Polixena in marriage, and that she, after the will and answer of Priamus had promised her unto him, that there might be between them a constant and a perpetual peace. Then was it purposed to lai an embushement of men within the temple of Apollo Thymbreus next unto the gate of Troy, whither Achilles should come and entreat of this marriage, and this done, Hecuba would throughly hold her content and satisfied, so that Achilles were slain. The which thing Alexander promised to do.  
Therefore in the night a certain of the most strongest of all the host were chosen, and laid with the watch word in the foresaid temple. Hecuba even as she promised, sent unto Achilles. Then he being in great love with Polixena, purposed not to be faulty in his part. The next day following when Achilles (having in his company Antiochus Nestor's son) was come to the place appointed, by and by, even at his entering in, Paris stirred up his soldiers & spies, the which incontinent began to smite. Achilles & Antiochus perceiving this, even forth with cast their cloaks about their left arms, drew out their swords and slew many. Aleander killed first Antiochus, and wounded Achilles with many strokes. And thus died Achilles, which could not resist that, that was so secretly prepared against him. Whose body Alexander commanded as a pray to be cast to the fowls of the air. But Helenus be sought him not to do so, but to deliver it unto the Greeks. And so they bore it out with Antiochus unto the Greeks camp, where Agamemnon caused them to be buried with great magnificence & honour. And to the end he might the more commodiously build for Achilles a proper sepulchre, he obtained a truce of Priamus. After this his great lords & familiars amssembled unto the consel, to this end, that the charges and affairs of Achilles might be committed to Ajax his neighbour Where unto Ajax answered, that Achilles had yet one son left alyne, named Neoptolemus, unto whom the charges of his father Achilles were more due and convenient, then to any other, and therefore it were meet to call him to the war, & to restore unto him the thing which pertained unto his father. Whereupon Menelaus was chosen to go into Scyria, to bring Neoptolemus out of the hands of his grandfather Lycomedes: to the which thing the foresaid Lycomedes consented very wyllyngiye.  
Then after that the time of truce was finished: Agamemnon prepared & led forth his host. And on the other side the Trojans issuing out of their city, they met together, and ●ought strongly one against the other. Ajax being bare & without armer at the clamour & brute that was made, set himself in the point of the battle, where there sell many aswell of the one part as of the other. Alexander w● his bow well & strongly bend, slew di●●rs among whom he pierced the bare side of the which being sore wounded; turned himself, and pursued Alexander, nor ceased not until he had slain him. Ajax being thus brooken, and not able to do any more because of his wound which he had received, was borne into his tent, and after the dart was drawn out of his body, deceased. Alexander's body was brought into the city. Diomedes fought courageously against his enemies. But the Trojans being very weary fled unto their city, whom Diomedes chased unto the walls. Then Agamemnon with his men of war, came near, and campt all the night about the walls of the city, nor they ceased not to watch and spy the one after the other. The next day following, Priamus caused the body of his son Alexander to be buried with great pomp, whose death Helen for the great and mutual love that was between them lamented most sorofully. And again because that Paris had received her into his country most honourably, and humanly had entreated her, Priamus and Hecuba seeing her in such heaviness, exhorted her not to forsak the Trojans, nor yet desire again the company of the grecians.  
The next day Agamemnon approached nigh unto the gate with his army, besieged the town, and provoked the Trojans to war. Priamus on the other side, fortified and tamparde his city, in the mean space every man took heed to his charge, looking for aid of Pente●ilea with her Amazons. The which coming incontinently with her company, brought forth her army against Agamennon, fought so valiantly for certain days, that the Greeks were chased unto their camp, & partly ouercomm●d, in so much that if Diomedes (although with great dificulte) had not resisted, the noble Penthesilea had burnt the Greks ships, & finally spoiled them. The battle ended, Agamennon retired & continued in his camp. But Penthesileacesed not from day to day furiously to scermishe, spoil, & to provoke the Greeks to fight. Agamemnon by deliberate consel fortified his camp, & purposed not to go to war until Menelaus was returned, Wherefore Menelaus being now returned from Sciria, delivered Achilles' arms & other charges to Neoptolemus the which after he had received lamented very greatly in the Greeks camp about the tu●●e of his father Achilles, Penthesile● even as she was accustomed prepared & set her men to the filled, & came even to the Greeks camp. Against whom Neoptolemus the captain of the Myrmidons prepared himself, and inlik mane● Agamennon, so that they two went together. Neoptolemus made great murder, against whom Penthesilea resisted, & valiantly defended, & for certain days they fought so vehemently that of one and other there were many slain. But at the length Penthesilea hurt Neoptolemus, the which being maimed through great pain and anger, slew Penthesilea the princes of the Amozones, & by this means, the rest of the Trojans fled to the city. Suddenly the Greeks compassed so the town, the walls, & forts of the Troyans', that it was impossible for them to essue out of the town any moor.  
Antenor, Polidamas and Aeneas considering and weighing well this thing, went unto Priamus soliciting him to see, and by counsel to take advisement, what were good to be done, aswell for their goods, as for themselves. The counsel being assembled, Priamus admonished every man to say his mind. Unto whom Antenor showed that the most valiantest princes & protectors of the Trojans common weal and liberty, the kings children, and like wise the princes and captains strangers were consumed: and that on the contrary side the most strongest and viliauntest of Grece were yet living, that is, Agamemnon, Menelaus, Neoptolemus, no less excellent than his father Achilles, beside these, Diomedes, Ajax Locrus, and many other strong, crafty, and expert men, as Nestor & Ulixes, & that the Trojans were enclosed on all sides, besieged, and almost broken and destroyed. He counseled therefore to be much better to restore Helen, and all that Alexander and his had taken & carried away, and that so the peace should be made: After that they had sufficiently spoken of this purpose and matter, the pusante Amphimachus Priamus son stood up, and accused the deeds and the sayings of these, which favoured the counsel and will of Antenor, and showed that they should rather take upon them to send their host to the field, and assail their enemies in their camp, so that they might other bring the victory with them, or else overcomed, die manfully for their country. This done Aeneas by sweet & lovely words spoke against Amphimacus persuading peace. It the last Priamus stood up courageously, embrading & laying many evil deeds unto Antenor & Aeneas, as to them that were the first authors of the war, & that embessadors were sent into Grece. Also that the self same Antenor being ambassador, & returning from Grece, complained him that he was con●umeliouslye entreated, & that he therefore with all his power persuaded war. Further more, he cast this in Aeneas teeth, that he with Alexander had ravished Helen, and brought away a great bouty out of Grece. Therefore Priamus was well assured that peace ought not, nor could not be made between them. The Priamus commiunded them to be ready & diligently (after the sign were given) to issue out of the ●ates, other to win triumphantly, or to die valiantly. After that Priamus had thus spoken, he dismissed the counsel, & accompanied with Amphimacus went his wates, saying unto him that he was in great doubt that he, his country and his goods should be betrayed, & delivered by them that had demanded peace, into the hands of his enemies Also he perceived, that the● mights have aid & favour of the best parts of all the common people, & therefore he was minded to put them to death, and if the thing were wisely handled, he trusted not only to defend his country, but also to overcome his enemies. Following this purpose, he prayed and induced Amphimacus to be faithful and favourable unto him, & daily to be ready & prepared to accomplish his enterprise the better and without suspicion.  
And to bring this to pass, Amphimachus counseled him to call them to supper, and to feign some sacrifice, and suddenly so to take them. Amphimachus promised to do it, and afterwards departed from Priamus. The self same day Antenor, Polidamas, Ucaligon, Amphidamas, and Dolon being assembled together, marveled greatly at the pertinacite of the king, and found it to strange a thing that he loved rather to suffer his country, his princes, and lords perish, then to make any peace. Whereunto Antenor answered that he had found a meet remedy for them all, so that all they would be faithful. There bound them selves with one mind unto it. After that he saw the thing to be so agreed unto, he sent unto Aeneas, signifying unto him that the laud must be betrayed, and he to save himself and his it was needful, to send someone to Agamemnon to declare with dfligence and without suspicion their will and mind, in asmuch as they had seen Priamus, when any man spoke unto him of peace departed from the counsel very angry, fearing lest he should excogitate & invent some new enterprise. They all promising this with one accord, sent secretly Polidamas the which was lest suspected among them, to Agamemnon. Now when he was come to the grecians camp, heed claret unto Agamemnon the mind and will of his companions. Wherefore Agamemnon all that night did secretly assemble his counsel, & declared what he had perceived of the Troynes, and hereupon he demanded every man's advice. It seemed good unto them all that f●delite should be kept with the traitors Trojans. But Ulixes and Nestor said they feared the enterprise. Against whom spoke Neoptolemus, so that there was a division among them. But yet finaliye they agreed, to have a sure watch word of Polidamas the which should be carried by Sinon to Aeneas, Anchises, and Antenor. Then went Sinon unto Troy, & for asmuch as Amphimachus has not yet delivered the keys to the keepers, Sinon gave the watch word, whereby he knew of Aeneas and Antenor the whole matter, the which he reported to Agamemnon. They were all of this mind, to promise them their faith, to confirm their alliance, and on all parts to bind them with an oath, under this condition, if Antenor, Aeneas, Ueal●gon, Polidamas and Dolon would deliver up the town the next night following, that then they would keep their whole faith and promise with them, and their wives, children, friends, familiars & neighbours, and that in for-me of the foresaid, all that they would demand, should be granted them, This agreement thus appointed, and faith promised on every part, and an oath taken, Polydamas persuaded to bring the host by night to the gate called Scea, where that without there was an horse head graven upon the portal, and Antenor, and Anchises having their Garrison there, should in the night open the gates to the Greeks, holding up in the air the burning flame of fire, the which they connted among themselves to be the sign and token of their prodition, that is to wit, that the Greeks seeing it should not doubt to approach and entre, and that there were men ready there to bring them unto the place where the king was After that the compact and agreement was thus accorded, Polidamas returned into the cite, declared what was done, advertised Antenor, Aeneas and other of this conspiracy, to bring all their men by night to the gate of Scea, the which they should open lifting up the foresaid flame into the air, and so to let in the grecians. Antenor and Aeneas were ready by night at the foresaid gate, where they received Neoptolemus, unto whom & his men of arms, they lifting up the flame, opened the gates. And doing this, they thought upon their own departure, as a sovereign remedy of their prodition and treason, whereunto Neoptolemus did succour & aid them. Neoptolemus entered in, & set an order and a garrison in the town: and by Antenor was conveyed and brought into the kings palace, where was the garrison, and the sovereign defence of all the Trojans, and from thence he pursued and chaste Priamus until he came before the temple of jupiter Herceus, where he at the last killed him. Hecuba also flying with Polixena met Aeneas, & delivered her unto his keeping, whom he set in his father Anchises house. Andromacha and Cassandra hide them selves within Minerues temple, the Greeks reased not all that night long to pill, destroy, spoil and carry away, when it was day, Agamemnon caused all his to be called into the castle, and there he gave thanks unto the gods maysed his host very greatly, commanded the bouty to be brought in, which he equally divided to every one of them. This done, he asked counsel and every man's advise, whether it were meet to observe & keep their faith promised to Aeneas and Antenor the betrayers of their country. Whereunto every man with one voice answered to be lawful. Then they called for them to deliver them such things as pertained unto them. Then Antenor demanded licence to speak, the which thing Agamemnon granted him. Antenor at the beginning of his oration gave thanks unto the lords of Grece. Furthermore, he declared how that Helenus & Cassandra at all times had desired & counseled their father to peace, and that Achilles at the persuasion of the foresaid Helenus was buried. Therefore Agamemnon by the mind of his counsel, set Helenus and Cassandra at liberty. Helenus' prayed Agamemnon for Hecuba & Andromacha, giving him to understand, that they always bore him good will, unto whom also liberty, by the sentence & mind of his counsel was granted In the mean time, he divided the bouty again, praised a gave thanks unto the gods, offered sacrifices, & purposed to return & departed the fift day: upon the which day, there suddenly arose great and horrible tempests, so that they were for ● time constrained to tarpe.  
Calchas answered them, that they had not done their duty to the gods infernal. Neoptolemus remembered that Polixena for whom his father Achilles perished was not found in the kings castle. Then Agamennon caused Antenor to be called, & commanded him to find out Polixena with all diligence, and to present her unto him. Then went Antenor to seek for Polixena which was hidden in Aeneas' house, and brought her to Agamennon, & delivered her to Neoptolemas, the which nigh unto his father's tomb put her to death most cruelly. Agamemnon provoked against Aeneas for the concealment of Polixena, commanded him quickly to departed the country the which thing Aeneas did. His lands Agamemnon gave unto Antenor. After this Agamemnon departed out of the city as a conqueror. Helen now being in more he●●es and sorrow then ever she was before, was carried again by her husband Menclaus into her country. Helenus with his mother Hecuba, Canssandra his sister, & Andromacha his brother Hector's wife, went into Cheronessa. S● here are the things that Dares Phrigius hath written of the acts and deeds done at Troy. In the which place after the wars, there dwelled & remained certain of the line and kindred of Antenor. The war between the Greeks and the Trojans continued the space of ten years, six months, and twelve days. There were slain of the Greeks as Dares Phrigius hath written, the numbered of eight hundred four score and two thousand. Of Trojans until the betraying of the city, in numbered vj. C. lxxuj. M. Aeneas departed out of the country with the ships wherewith Paris had made his voyage from Grece, in numbered xxij. And there followed him men of all ages in numbered MMM. CCCC. And Antenor MM. and D. Helenus & Andromacha a M. CC.  
Thus endeth the history of Dares.   

¶ The names of the Troay●es which slew the Princes of Grece.  
THe first Hector slew Protesilaus, Patroclus Merion, Boetes Archilocus, Protenor, Deipenor, Dorius Polixenus, Phidippus, zantippus. Leonteus Polibetus. Serpe●on leaps (〈◊〉) Lu●or Epistrophus.  
Schedius Maimentus and Palamon. Aeneas' Amphimachus and Nireus. Alexander slew Palamedes, Antilochus and Ajax. Ajax Thelamonius and Alexander killed each other.   

¶ Here ensueth also the names of the captains Trojans slain by the Greeks.  
Achilles slew Euphemius, Hippo●u●, Plebeius, Asteri●, Liconius, Euphorbius, Hector, Memnon. Neoptolemus slew Penthesilea, Priamus, and Polixena nigh unto the tomb of Achilles his father Diomedes slew zantippus', Mnestens, Epistroph●s, & Or●meneus   

Menelaus oration unto the Trojans for the repetition of Helen.  
IF Paris would have kept any spark of reason, or of honesty (O ye people of Troy) truly we should now need nothing weather it were of counsels, or of arms, or of legation: but clean contrary we should live in our houses at rest and without detriment or loss: your goods also and your persons should be in greater & mor● sure tranquillity. But the thing which Paris hath chosen, settyng● voluptuousness in the place of virtue (O ye people of Troy) hath invited and provoked us to come hither, not for to molest any man unjustly, but for to repeat if it be lawful for us, the thing that is our own. Therefore ye see from you walls & high pinnacles the men of war of Grece nigh unto you in as great & numbered, as in triumphant preparation and order. But yet we have well foreseen and considered hitherto to be discrete, & to do no manner of thing against reason and justice: for notwithstanding we have our arms in our hands disploied, yet it is so, that we had rather use sweet words, to the end that we having recovered by words only the thing that pertaineth unto us, may incontinent retire: if not to finish the thing that we have already begun. And as our purpose is not lightly to set our hands to our weapons: so it is not for us to abstain if ye will annihilate & little esteem our ligation and request. It is now in you to choose, whether it be more dearer unto you to prefer the pleasure of Paris above your own wealth and liberty, or else with Helen to be exempt from all war. Certain it is, that continually unto this day we have rejected all the fault in Paris only nor would not, if any wrong were done unto you, attribute the same to the common people of Troy: although that the issue and the deliberation of this assemble, shall other confirm our opinion, or certainly declare openly the deed to pertain only to Paris, but the enterprise unto all. And if in telling your advice and mind in the counsel, ye favour Paris any thing at all, ye shall declare yourselves to be the principal of these deeds: but contrary wise, if beyond the judgement and will of him ye do after right ● equity, all the crime shall finally redound unto him. But my custom is not to make so long a rehearsal of such things, and it seemeth to stand with good reason. Be ye well assured I pray you, that for one unjust cause I would not once open my mouth to speak, and for a good and just cause I esteem that with few words I may greatly satisfy and content you. Therefore I thought in this case (although I have been customed to use a certain prolixity) to be very meet and convenient to speak succinctly and briefly.  
This thing in very truth is such, that it requireth no laborius nor no difficult means, considering that there resteth nothing, but with one simple and easy oration to overcume his adversary.  
Now Paris tell me, by the great God jupiter, hast thou not ravished the thing that was none of thine? Make restitution then, Haste thou not taken it without any right and by violence? Then thou oughtest to be punished. Thou must know of two things one, other that thou show that thou hast taken nothing or if thou confess it, that a● the le●t thou do cease in will unjustly to defend it. I think thou dost not votsafe to deny that thou hast spoiled me of my goods to me most dearest, and most precious, for I know that thou dost desire to be praised of thy evil deed. And therefore it were more than reason that thou shouldest bear thyself of such an enterprise upon us. And although that we have received thee unto us as a stranger, yet thou hast recompensed us more cruelly than an enemy. Esteem it not at all that he, by an honest and an open enterprise might do us so great an injury, nor repute him not so brave a man, and us so weak to suffer such injury, if he had given us knowledge of that that he enterprised. But I pray you to here how the thing was done. Paris as it is to be presumed ha●h recited the fact unto you, not as it is, but all to his own advantage, willing with his 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to cover a leasing. Of all men the which offend there is scarcely one that will know and confess his fault, but with all their power go about to disguise the truth: to this end, that partly they may receive great emolument and profit, and partly be taken for men of honesty. The thing purposely intended was thus done. Paris on a certain day aswell accompanied with many as richly appointed, came into Laconia to make muster of his own person, & after that he had been in Sparta, among all other things he used unto every man (feigning a certain goodness & modest) great humanity and sweetness, & that because he desired to obtain some noble & honest loges When I preceived that, I esteemed nothing more honourable & worthy of nobility, than to minister unto him the thing that was necessary for a stranger: therefore I opened my gate unto him, & voluntariously comunicated all that I had & esteemed most dear & pr●cius, saving my wife, & my daughter, not thinking any thing (O ye people of Troy) of all this that chanced afterwards. I thought verily that jupiter was in a manner the chief & principal conductor of this his coming, also I was persuaded that he was as equal & in like condition with the gods that receiveth another man, as he which is so humainly & gently received: but this man to be much more bound, in asmuch as he hath received more goodness & profit, than he of whom he received it. with what great good will think ye, shall we now honour & observe the noble & excellent man Antenor, we wish him all goodness & honour more & more, & desire nothing less, than that any such misfortune should come or chance unto his family. And of my part I used towards my gest all sweetness & benignity. Let Paris come now into the plain & say if any necessary thing required, was denied him? Or if he know that we have endured his long tarrying with any heaviness or tediousness? Hath he not cotinually received were it much or little the thing that pleased him?  
Hath he by any means sooner known than reprehended our avarice and mechanical scarceness? Hath he perceived that any man hath done him wrong? If he accuse us of any of these foresaid things, let him show it, and I shall freely confess that he received not the thousand part of that, that he hath deserved. But for asmuch as in this matter he can say nothing, so like wise it behoveth no man to speak of it. But so it is that the faithful opinion which we conceived of him, was the cause, that we suffered him to dwell among us with great assurance and liberty, and without any suspicion no more than of a familiar friend, the which thing may accustomably chance to all men: and all those things the which be right and reason ought to be holy and inviolable (O ye people of Troy) He ha●h entirely turned up side downne. Furthermore, evil for good, malevolence for hospitality, rapine for lodging, injury for honour, for good say the he hath remembered all cruelty. He had no fear of the gods, nor no reverence to his benefactors, nor to you, & much less to his father Priamus, the which we learned to be a great observer of the gods and of religion, and very careful that his son should not commit any such act or misdeed. But Paris nothing regarding all these things hath ravished my wife, and stolen my treasure & riches, besides that he hath taken away my servants, and divers other things. But what need is it of so long a tale, principally unto those to whom the thing is notorious: The things which he hath brought hither do sufficiently show how greatly he hath spoiled me. Certes he is now rich to my great loss and hindrance. And to know more largely the unworthiness of the fact, it needeth not to send any man, but to go into Paris house, and to question with him under this manner. How is this woman thine, which thou possessest? keepest thou Helen in thy house spoused by the right of marriage, as Priamus holdeth thy mother? Then other as shamefast of the case he shall falsely deny it, or else if he will tell the truth, he shall openly confess his evil deed. Nor none of you in the mean space ought to think me importune, if I in my oration do speak freely: for at the first we can not obtain the thing that is ours. And of yourselves ye can not comprehend the veri●e of the deed, if it were not largely declared unto you. By this means it shall be easy to judge what an unworthy and how unfortunate this deed is. And if one man do recite openly the thing wherewith he was offended, he is grievous unto those that have committed or done such like things: how is it reasonable that they should scandalize and shame themselves, which are wounded & hurt with the self same deed? Furthermoore it is not possible to make a man's quarrel appear just, if he first declare not the author of the crime to be culpable. Thou seest them how evident and how just our cause is. verily there are but two points that may justify him that is accused, that is to wit, that other he hath committed the crime, or else if it so be, that with good right he hath committed it. If Paris then can not deny such rape not prove it just, that which resteth is of itself evident enough. What honest reason shall he allege? I have taken her, saith he, I hold her, in no wise be not tedius. To have taken her, to hold her, is not enough Paris. He might have caused some one to take that away, the which he ought not to take, & although he possess the thing that is none of his, yet for all that it is not to be said, that incontinent he hath gotten the just possession of the thing so ravished: but so if there be no unrighteousness nor wrong: nor we ought not to have respect to the thing which we have ravished, but much more be what reason, the which thing we ought much more in such a case to consider. Thou seest that sacrilegious persons remain not unpunished when they take or steal the thing consecrated unto the gods. Furthermore, if the possession of the thing were enough to defend him, whosoever should have possession, should also be soon justified. Now (as me thinketh) men should think that to be a vicious thing that any man should hold and possess the thing which of right pertaineth not unto him. It is not sufficient for a man to lai his hand upon a thing, but he must of necessity have some right unto it. If Paris after he had chased away his father, and before usurped the kingdom, would be lord over you and your goods, should he be esteemed to take upon him things honest & reasonable. But contrariwise, his father being so secretly provoked could not endure it, nor you neither being advertised of the thing, but should rather esteem him worthy as a misdoer to be punished. Therefore thou shouldest not excuse thyself to have taken the thing, but to show in taking thereof not to have done amiss: for the right is on my side, if Priamus be an equal judge. But he saith, we that dwell in this part of the earth, & ye that do inhabit the other, are perpetual enemies. There is some right & reason to take, pylle, & bear away the goods of our enemies, so there be no other fault. Truth it is Paris: but is it reasonable to lodge with a man's enemy, to receive gifts, & other honest things? And as touching thyself, thou hast received that thou most desirest. Alas, thou shouldest not even at the beginning of thy coming (O noble Paris) approached so, but rather avoided the loges of thine enemy: thou shouldest not have received any benefit, nor have been so familiar with those, whose perpetual enemy thou reputest thyself before. And if for a certain time thou usedest them as good friends, how happened it, that afterwards thou usedest them as enemies? And ma● this foresaid time there was not in me, where with thou mightest have been offended, & therefore thou hast none occasion of any quarrel. If then at the beginning thou heldest us for enemies, why diddest thou dissemble it: Why saidst thou other wise than thou thoughtest in thy heart? And if afterwards thy will & mind being changed, thou wouldst offend us, answer us by the gods, for what demerit of ours. Certes thou canst bring no reason at all, but that afterwards thou conceivedest in thy brain a very ●●tius deed, to enter into my house as a geste, and to departed as an enemy. Furthermore, to cloak thine astute and craftiness with fair words, thou tho●ghtest to disguise & deface thy misdeed. But yet thou canst not persuade the deed to any man living otherwise then it is, because thy words are repugnant to nature. For the thing that we commonly do speak, aught to have some agreement with nature If Paris had gone into Lacedemonia with a navy of ships, or with a great host of men well appointed, if he had openly declared his enmity, if with the sword in hand, or with shaking of his spear he had done some force, it had been reason he should have carried away the victory, other through fortune, or else by virtue & strength: be it so that he had taken the town, & the men, than Helen should have chanced unto him as a part of his bouty, let him hold her, let her serve him. But we abuse ourselves, taking vice for the wages that men ought to receive of war. And although thou didst show in all things, as in ships, countenance, words, in manner of living, & conversation signs of peace, yet the end was far contrary to the beginning. Let it be known that victory doth far differ from theft, & sudden taking wittily adorned with warly virtue. For victory doth declare the nobility of the man, & pusillanimite of such as accomplish by treason, that they can not by the honesty of virtue. It is not peradventure to much unreasonable (so that the laws of war permit & suffer it) that great men father themselves with goods of their inferiors. Yea, but of his free-will to attempt unto the goods of the more virtues, or whom men durst never declare themselves enemies, is truly a deed of extortion, & worthy to be punished. And because we have endured and suffered great injury & wrong, we have brought our army into your country & possessions, not as authors of wrong and evil doings, but as revengers of injury. As touching the rest, I persuade myself that it is well known and perceived by divers points, that there remaineth nothing in Paris but v●shamfastnes. Nevertheless our will & mind hath been rather to use words than weapons, and that for many reasons. First because it is a very worthy act for an honest man, not lightly to lay his his hand upon his weapon, but rather attempt, if it be possible otherwise to recover the thing pretended. Furthermore, lest it should seem just unto us for the misdeed of one alone, to make a universal punishment, the which thing in war necessarily doth chance. There men can not pardon nor spare the innocentes, for whosoever falleth must needs remain. Fearing then lest such cases should chance, or that any of you should fall into such affairs wherewith ye would not be molested, we refuse not that the controversy be ended by legations & suffrages, for we believe the divine favour is most commonly conversant in martial affairs, that which we do see every day in a manner to favour not those that enterprise most, but those that have most just cause.  
Wherefore this cause abating our courage, have first of all used legations, to th'intent if that alone might suffice to the decision of our act, we should need none other thing: otherwise we trusting to the divine helpe● and favour because of the equity & truth of our cause, we come finally to the second effort & help. Therefore consider the one and the other, and compare the fact & deed of war, with verbal disceptation, weapons with words: likewise considering the present felicity, and the misfortunes that may chance to such things, choose of two ways the better. It is very necessary (O ye people of Troy) in such matters to use ripe and diligent counsel: for ye know right well, that an error committed, can not afterwards be restored to his perfectness again. But before the war beginneth, all his entire and whole: and easy it is not to fall into smche inconvenience, but to fly and by mature deliberation to avoid it. For when the hand is lift up to the battle, the evils & misfortunes increase without end, unto the which victory alone, & no other condition be it never so modest, can give any final end. Take heed therefore, that ye choose not war in the place of peace, lest that after ye have felt the incommodities of the war, ye repent you when the occasion shallbe void and gone. Furthermore, if neither war nor no other danger should ensue & follow, yet it were necessary evermore to choose the thing that were just and reasonable. For this is very certain that such men have the accomplisment of their desires. Now if ye will afterwards examine the thing, ye shall have no leisure, although ye have a contrary will, to do otherwise. See ye not the companies of the Grecians spread about all your country in so great a numbered that it being so little and so narrow can scarcely receive them? The which not withstanding they be thus gathered out of divers places, yet they have all one will to revenge even unto the end all those, that have received injury. And in very deed they are so ready & so purposed to do their best, that it is no need to bind them by an oath, for they them selves have so bound themselves with so religious and so straight an oath, they if they would refuse it, men might most easily constrain them. Now what man is so unprovided of good wit, that will not render up the thing, the which finally he may lose with great detriment and loss? Shall he delai it at all (O jupiter) because of the uncertain issue and end of the war? No by the gods, the end is not uncertain, nor it is not to be doubted but that equity shall receive her reward before unrighteousness: and that the just shall receive another manner of retribution, than the fauters of iniquity, if we need not to doubt neither of the one nor of the other, certainly it is then undoubtful, that they which have the juster cause shallbe victoriers and superiors in the war. And as concerning those which ye hope to have to succour & aid you: I am sure that many of our men will regard them no more, then if ye were sure to have a greater numbered. And I say this, that if the rest of the men of war would stand still without smiting of any stroke, that Ulixes alone is sufficient to annihilate all your allies & confederates, and by wisdom and a fortunable spirit to destroy the whole multitude. This that I do say, is not that I refuse or avoid the war, or that I am otherwise desirous of new affairs. Certes it is very easy for me to speak many other things, but it is not needful. For if ye take not pleasure in the things afore spoken, we should but in vain go any further. Now I do call the great jupiter hospital, and all the other gods and spirits the rulers of this province to witness, that we being first stirred and provoked, are come in arms against Troy, and yet at this present do desire to end this matter by words only: and that we begin not, nor by any means do stir up war, but as constrained by our enemies.  
FINIS.   

¶ Imprinted at London in Paul's churchyard, at the sign of the holy ghost, by john Cawood printer to the Queen's highness.