Helen of Troy Page #4

You think the Trojans built a citadel

for peace-lovers?

Have you heard of Priam's sons?

Polydorus begs for war!

Hector wants only a challenge.

Paris is anyone's equal with a cestus,

bow and javelin.

You believe they want peace?

All the more reason why we

cannot plan without Achilles.

But he hates my brother and me--

He hates you almost as much

as he loves war.

ln order to lock himself from

all temptation of joining with us. . .

. . .he hid himself securely,

in a house of women.

That's where l found him,

hiding from all persuasion. . .

. . .dressed as a woman!

Did you persuade him?

Yes. He's here at the stables,

seeing to the care of his horses.

Achilles, a blushing girl.

l shall commend him for the beauty

of his face and figure.

The man who blows his own horn.

Commend him, Menelaus.

l commend you, Achilles.

And l despise you.

And you, Agamemnon.

But it seems we must unite. . .

. . .so l am here to lead you.

-Lead us, Achilles?

-Of course.

l and my good friend Patroclus.

Since we were boys,

we could stand alone and defy an army.

-l question that.

-Who?

l, Ajax.

My imitator.

You disgusting glory-hunter.

To imitate him, l'd need to wear

three layers of armor.

That's where he gets his reputation

for being invulnerable.

Silence this fool, Menelaus.

l would prefer not to be angered by him.

The truth of the matter is,

his skin's as tender as his vanity.

And especially his heel.

-He can't even stand leather against it.

-l do not fight with my feet.

Take your ease, my prince.

l'll handle this buffoon.

Enough of this.

We must remain united.

lmpossible.

We've never been united,

and we never will be.

Keep my horses ready.

Patroclus, we shall leave.

l see no ethical purpose

for a raid on Troy.

-Nor l.

-Now, wait. Wait.

Here. You talk of ethics.

Here's the sign of a Trojan ship

prowling our shores.

No peaceful trader,

but a royal ship of the House of Priam.

lt was my ship, sire.

l am Paris of Troy.

-You are King Menelaus?

-Yes.

Sorry to present myself like this,

l was swept overboard in the storm.

Fortunately, this gathering

of the most royal of Greece. . .

. . .makes my mission easier.

-How'd you know we were here?

-l beg my lord's indulgence, l know.

So l'm saved from

journeying to each king. . .

. . .if you decide against offers of peace

l bring from Troy.

-What?

-Troy does not plan war?

You are wrong, Menelaus.

Stop this or lose your Trojan plunder.

-Where'd you find this impostor?

-He came to the palace.

-l thought you'd question him.

-You interrupt council!

-Hear him.

-This is our business.

He's only some wandering vagabond.

See the rags he wears.

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