The Scaean gate they drove into the plain.  Arriving at the hosts of Greece and Troy 315 They left the chariot, and proceeded both Into the interval between the hosts.  Then uprose Agamemnon, and uprose All-wise Ulysses.  Next, the heralds came Conspicuous forward, expediting each 320 The ceremonial; they the beaker fill’d With wine, and to the hands of all the kings Minister’d water.  Agamemnon then Drawing his dagger which he ever bore Appendant to his heavy falchion’s sheath, 325 Cut off the forelocks of the lambs,[15] of which The heralds gave to every Grecian Chief A portion, and to all the Chiefs of Troy.  Then Agamemnon raised his hands, and pray’d. 
  Jove, Father, who from Ida stretchest forth 330
Thine arm omnipotent, o’erruling all, And thou, all-seeing and all-hearing Sun, Ye Rivers, and thou conscious Earth, and ye Who under earth on human kind avenge Severe, the guilt of violated oaths, 335 Hear ye, and ratify what now we swear!  Should Paris slay the hero amber-hair’d, My brother Menelaues, Helen’s wealth And Helen’s self are his, and all our host Shall home return to Greece; but should it chance 340 That Paris fall by Menelaues’ hand, Then Troy shall render back what she detains, With such amercement as is meet, a sum To be remember’d in all future times.  Which penalty should Priam and his sons 345 Not pay, though Paris fall, then here in arms I will contend for payment of the mulct My due, till, satisfied, I close the war. 
  He said, and with his ruthless steel the lambs
Stretch’d panting all, but soon they ceased to pant, 350 For mortal was the stroke.[16] Then drawing forth Wine from the beaker, they with brimming cups Hail’d the immortal Gods, and pray’d again, And many a Grecian thus and Trojan spake. 
  All-glorious Jove, and ye the powers of heaven, 355
Whoso shall violate this contract first, So be the brains of them and of their sons Pour’d out, as we this wine pour on the earth, And may their wives bring forth to other men! 
  So they:  but them Jove heard not.  Then arose 360
Priam, the son of Dardanus, and said,
  Hear me, ye Trojans and ye Greeks well-arm’d. 
Hence back to wind-swept Ilium I return, Unable to sustain the sight, my son With warlike Menelaues match’d in arms. 365 Jove knows, and the immortal Gods, to whom Of both, this day is preordain’d the last. 
  So spake the godlike monarch, and disposed
Within the royal chariot all the lambs; Then, mounting, check’d the reins; Antenor next 370 Ascended, and to Ilium both return’d. 
  First, Hector and Ulysses, noble Chief,
Measured the ground; then taking lots for proof Who of the combatants should foremost hurl His spear, they shook them in a brazen casque; 375 Meantime the people raised their hands