243'We have seen, citizens, Diomedes and the Argive camp, and having measured out the road we overcame every hazard and touched the hand by which the land of Ilium fell. 246He was founding a city, Argyripa, named after the race of his fathers, as victor in the fields of Iapygian Garganus. 248After we had entered and leave to speak before him was given, we present our gifts, tell our name and country, who had made war on us, what cause had drawn us to Arpi. 251When he had heard us, he answered thus with calm face: "O fortunate peoples, kingdoms of Saturn, ancient Ausonians, what fortune disturbs your peace and persuades you to provoke wars you do not know?
255All of us who violated the fields of Ilium with the sword (I pass over what was endured in fighting beneath its high walls, and the men whom that Simois covers) have paid unspeakable punishments throughout the world and every penalty for our crimes, a band to be pitied even by Priam: Minerva's grim star knows it, and the Euboean crags, and avenging Caphareus. 261After that campaign, driven away to different shores, Menelaus son of Atreus lives in exile as far as the pillars of Proteus, and Ulysses has seen the Cyclopes of Etna. 264Shall I tell of the kingdom of Neoptolemus and the overturned household gods of Idomeneus? 265Of the Locrians dwelling on the Libyan shore?
266The Mycenaean himself, leader of the great Achaeans, fell by the hand of his accursed wife on the very threshold: the adulterer lay in wait for conquered Asia. 269That the gods begrudged me being restored to my father's altars to see the wife I longed for and lovely Calydon? 271Now even portents horrible to see pursue me: my lost comrades have taken to the air on wings and roam the rivers as birds (alas, dread punishment of my people!) and fill the cliffs with tearful cries. 275These things indeed I should have expected from that time when in my madness I attacked heavenly bodies with the sword and violated the right hand of Venus with a wound.
278No, do not, do not drive me to such battles: I have no war with the Teucrians since Pergamum was overthrown, nor do I remember or take joy in those old evils. 281The gifts which you bring me from your native shores, turn them to Aeneas. 282We have stood against his fierce weapons and met him hand to hand: believe one who has tried it, how huge he rises to his shield, with what a whirlwind he hurls his spear. 285If besides the land of Ida had borne two other such men, the Dardanian would have come of his own accord to the cities of Inachus, and Greece would be mourning, her fates reversed.
288Whatever delay there was at the walls of stubborn Troy, it was by the hand of Hector and Aeneas that the Greeks' victory stuck fast and drew back its steps until the tenth year. 291Both were outstanding in courage, both in surpassing arms; this one was first in devotion. 292Let your right hands join in a treaty, in whatever way it is granted; 293but beware of arms clashing against arms." 294You have heard at once, best of kings, what the king's answer is and what his view of the great war.'