And when she had made an end of speaking, the maiden came forth from the tent, holding the young child Orestes in her arms, and cast herself upon her knees before her father, and besought him, saying, “I would, my father, that I had the voice of Orpheus, who made even the rocks to follow him, that I might persuade thee; but now all that I have I give, even these tears.  O my father, I am thy child; slay me not before my time.  This light is sweet to look upon.  Drive me not from it to the land of darkness.  I was the first to call thee father; and the first to whom thou didst say ‘my child.’  And thou wouldst say to me, ’Some day, my child, I shall see thee a happy wife in the home of a rich husband.’  And I would answer, ’And I will receive thee with all love when thou art old, and pay thee back for all the benefits thou hast done unto me.’  This I indeed remember, but thou forgettest; for thou art ready to slay me.  Do it not, I beseech thee, by Pelops thy grandsire, and Atreus thy father, and this my mother, who travailed in childbirth of me, and now travaileth again in her sorrow.  And thou, O my brother, though thou art but a babe, help me.  Weep with me; beseech thy father that he slay not thy sister.  O my father, though he be silent, yet, indeed, he beseecheth thee.  For his sake, therefore, yea, and for mine own, have pity upon me, and slay me not.”

But the King was sore distracted, knowing not what he should say or do, for a terrible necessity was upon him, seeing that the army could not make their journey to Troy unless this deed should first be done.  And while he doubted came Achilles, saying that there was a horrible tumult in the camp, the men crying out that the maiden must be sacrificed, and that when he would have stayed them from their purpose, the people had stoned him with stones, and that his own Myrmidons helped him not; but rather were the first to assail him.  Nevertheless, he said that he would fight for the maiden, even to the utmost; and that there were faithful men who would stand with him and help him.  But when the maiden heard these words, she stood forth and said, “Hearken to me, my mother.  Be not wroth with my father, for we cannot fight against fate.  Also we must take thought that this young man suffer not, for his help will avail nought, and he himself will perish.  Therefore I am resolved to die; for all Greece looketh to me; for without me the ships cannot make their voyage, nor the city of Troy be taken.  Thou didst bear me, my mother, not for thyself only, but for this whole people.  Wherefore I will give myself for them.  Offer me for an offering; and let the Greeks take the city of Troy, for this shall be my memorial for ever.”

Then said Achilles, “Lady, I should count myself most happy if the Gods would grant thee to be my wife.  For I love thee well, when I see thee how noble thou art.  And if thou wilt, I will carry thee to my home.  And I doubt not that I shall save thee, though all the men of Greece be against me.”