Thus early we have the direct, uncompromising spirit,—­a kind of feminine Prometheus.  The first picture of the heroine is of a Minerva in full array, stony of gaze and of expression until—­she sees Achilles.  Here early comes the conflict of two elemental passions.  Penthesilea recoils from the spell and dashes again into her ambiguous warfare.  For once Greeks and Trojans are forced to fight in common defence.

“The raging Queen with blows of thunder struck
As she would cleave the whole race of the Greeks
Down to its roots....

* * * * *

“More of the captives did she take
Than she did leave us eyes to count the list,
Or arms to set them free again.

* * * * *

“Often it seemed as if a special hate
Against Achilles did possess her breast.

* * * * *

“Yet in a later moment, when
His life was given straight into her hands,
Smiling she gave it back, as though a present;
His headlong course to Hades she did stay.”

In midst of the dual battle between Achilles and the Queen, a Trojan prince comes storming and strikes a treacherous blow against the armor of the Greek.

    “The Queen is stricken pale; for a brief moment
    Her arms hang helpless by her sides; and then,
    Shaking her locks about her flaming cheeks,
    Dashes her sword like lightning in his throat,
    And sends him rolling to Achilles’ feet.”

The Greek leaders resolve to retreat from the futile fight and to call Achilles from the mingled chase of love and war.

Achilles is now reported taken by the Amazons.  The battle is vividly depicted:  Achilles caught on a high ledge with his war-chariot; the Amazon Queen storming the height from below.  The full scene is witnessed from the stage,—­Penthesilea pursuing almost alone; Achilles suddenly dodges; the Queen as quickly halts and rears her horse; the Amazons fall in a mingled heap; Achilles escapes, though wounded.  But he refuses to follow his companions to the camp; he swears to bring home the Queen wooed in the bloody strife of her own seeking.

Penthesilea recoils with like vehemence from the entreaties of her maids, intent upon the further battle, resolved to overcome the hero or to die.  She forbids the Festival of Roses until she has vanquished Achilles.  In her rage she banishes her favorite Prothoe from her presence, but in a quick revulsion takes her back.

In the next scene the high priestess and the little Amazon maids prepare the Feast, which Penthesilea had ordered in her confident attack upon the fleeing Greeks.  One of the Rose-maidens recounts the passing scene of the Queen’s amazing action.  The indignant priestess sends her command to the Queen to return to the celebration.  Though all the royal suite fling themselves in her path, Penthesilea advances to the dual battle.[A]