But soon as magnificent Paris marked Atrides
shining among the champions, Paris’ spirit shook.
Backing into his friendly ranks, he cringed from death
as one who trips on a snake in a hilltop hollow
recoils, suddenly, trembling grips his knees
and pallor takes his cheeks and back he shrinks.
So he dissolved again in the proud Trojan lines,
dreading Atrides – magnificent, brave Paris.
– Homer
The Iliad, Book 3, lines 34-41. When Paris sees Menelaus facing him in battle, he is described as being wary and nervous. An epic simile tells us how Paris reacts like he has tripped on a snake, he recoils, goes weak at the knees and shrinks back into the relative safety of the Trojan ranks. Homer is being sarcastic and ironic when he calls Paris magnificent and brave here, since he trembles at the prospect of facing Menelaus.