Kitap 13
3
Chenidas Why, who should it be? Achilles, of course; the son of Peleus and Thetis, of course. Your helmet was so magnificent, your purple so rich, your buckler so dazzling.
3
Leontichus We met. The barbarian drew first blood—just a scratch with his lance a little above the knee; but my great spear drove through his shield and right into the breast-bone. Then I ran up, just sliced his head off with my sword, and came back carrying his arms, the head spiked on my spear dripping gore upon me.
4
Hymnis How horrid, Leontichus! what disgusting frightful tales you tell about yourself! What girl would look at a man who likes such nastiness—let alone drink or sleep with him? I am going away.
4
Leontichus Pooh! I double your pay.
4
Hymnis No, nothing shall induce me to sleep with a murderer.
4
Leontichus Don’t be afraid, my dear. All that was in Paphlagonia. I am a man of peace now.
4
Hymnis No, you are unclean; the blood of the barbarian’s head on the spear has dripped over you! I embrace and kiss a man like that? the Graces forbid! he is no better than the executioner.
4
Leontichus I am certain you would be in love with me if you had seen me in my armour.
4
Hymnis I tell you it makes me sick and frightened even to hear of such things; I see the shades and ghosts of the slain; that poor officer with his head cloven! what would it be if I saw the thing done, and the blood, and the bodies lying there? I am sure I should die; I never saw a chicken killed, even.
4
Leontichus Such a coward, girl? so poor of heart? I thought you would like to hear it.
4
Hymnis Well, try the Lemnian women, or the daughters of Danaus, if you want to please with that sort of tale. I shall run home to my mother, while there is some daylight left. Come along, Grammis. Good-bye, mightiest of colonels, and murderer of however many it is!
5
Leontichus Stay, girl, stay. —Why, she is gone!
