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At last Amycus, standing on the tips of his toes and rising high above him, tried to bring down his great fist upon the head of Polydeuces. The hero swung aside and took the blow on his shoulder. Then he struck his blow. It was a strong one, and under it the king of the Bebrycians staggered and fell down. "You see," said Polydeuces, "that we keep your law."
Now behold the giant was keen to do some great feat, so with his left hand he grasped the left of Polydeuces, stooping slantwise from his onset, while with his other hand he made his effort, and drove a huge fist up from his right haunch.
The muscles on his brawny arms, close by the shoulder, stood out like rounded rocks, that the winter torrent has rolled, and worn smooth, in the great swirling stream, but about his back and neck was draped a lion's skin, hung by the claws. Him first accosted the champion, Polydeuces. Polydeuces. Good luck to thee, stranger, whosoe'er thou art! What men are they that possess this land? Amycus.
But if your heart yet lusts for war, and with blood we must break up the kindred strife, and end the feud, then Idas and his cousin, mighty Polydeuces, shall hold their hands and abstain from battle, but let us twain, Castor and I, the younger born, try the ordeal of war! Let us not leave the heaviest of grief to our fathers!
Nor were the Bebrycians reckless of their king; but all together took up rough clubs and spears and rushed straight on Polydeuces. But in front of him stood his comrades, their keen swords drawn from the sheath. First Castor struck upon the head a man as he rushed at him: and it was cleft in twain and fell on each side upon his shoulders. And Polydeuces slew huge Itymoneus and Mimas.
Of Castor and Polydeuces do thou sing, shrill Muse, the Tyndaridae, sons of Olympian Zeus, whom Lady Leda bore beneath the crests of Taygetus, having been secretly conquered by the desire of Cronion of the dark clouds. Hail, ye sons of Tyndarus, ye cavaliers of swift steeds.
Put up thy hands and stand in single combat, man to man. Polydeuces. A boxing-match, or is kicking fair, when we meet eye to eye? Amycus. Do thy best with thy fists and spare not thy skill! Polydeuces. And who is the man on whom I am to lay my hands and gloves? Amycus. Thou see'st him close enough, the boxer will not prove a maiden! Polydeuces. And is the prize ready, for which we two must fight?
Polydeuces. Come, and with kindly gifts return homeward again! Amycus. Gift me no gifts, none such have I ready for thee. Polydeuces. Nay, wilt thou not even grant us leave to taste this spring? Amycus. That shalt thou learn when thirst has parched thy shrivelled lips. Polydeuces. Will silver buy the boon, or with what price, prithee, may we gain thy leave? Amycus.
Castor and Polydeuces went to the front of the ship; holding up their hands, they prayed. Then they heard the words that the voice uttered: in the night as they went on the voice proclaimed the wrath of Zeus on account of the slaying of Apsyrtus. What was their doom to be?
Amycus. Polydeuces. On such terms fight the red-crested birds of the game. Amycus. Well, be we like birds or lions, we shall fight for no other stake. So Amycus spoke, and seized and blew his hollow shell, and speedily the long-haired Bebryces gathered beneath the shadowy planes, at the blowing of the shell.
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