But now came Achilles, to tell the King that the army was growing impatient, saying that, unless they might sail speedily to Troy, they would return each man to his home.  And when the Queen heard his name—­for he had said to the attendant, “Tell thy master that Achilles, the son of Peleus, would speak with him”—­she came forth from the tent and greeted him, and bade him give her his right hand.  And when the young man was ashamed (for it was not counted a seemly thing that men should speak with women) she said—­

“But why art thou ashamed, seeing that thou art about to marry my daughter?”

And he answered, “What sayest thou, lady?  I cannot speak for wonder at thy words.”

“Often men are ashamed when they see new friends, and the talk is of marriage.”

“But, lady, I never was suitor for thy daughter.  Nor have the sons of Atreus said aught to me of the matter.”

But the Queen was beyond measure astonished, and cried, “Now this is shameful indeed, that I should seek a bridegroom for my daughter in such fashion.”

But when Achilles would have departed, to inquire of the King what this thing might mean, the old man that had at the first carried the letter came forth, and bade him stay.  And when he had assurance that he should receive no harm for what he should tell them, he unfolded the whole matter.  And when the Queen had heard it, she cried to Achilles, “O son of Thetis of the sea! help me now in this strait, and help this maiden that hath been called thy bride, though this indeed be false.  ’Twill be a shame to thee if such wrong be done under thy name; for it is thy name that hath undone us.  Nor have I any altar to which I may flee, nor any friend but thee only in this army.”

Then Achilles made answer, “Lady, I learnt from Chiron, who was the most righteous of men, to be true and honest.  And if the sons of Atreus govern according to right, I obey them; and if not, not.  Know, then, that thy daughter, seeing that she hath been given, though but in word only, to me, shall not be slain by her father.  For if she so die, then shall my name be brought to great dishonour, seeing that through it thou hast been persuaded to come with her to this place.  This sword shall see right soon whether any one will dare to take this maiden from me.”

And now King Agamemnon came forth, saying that all things were ready for the marriage, and that they waited for the maiden, not knowing that the whole matter had been revealed to the Queen.  Then she said—­

“Tell me now, dost thou purpose to slay thy daughter and mine?” And when he was silent, not knowing, indeed, what to say, she reproached him with many words, that she had been a loving and faithful wife to him, for which he made her an ill recompense slaying her child.