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PDFoath of Jove be scorn’d. Young men are
ever of unstable mind; But when an elder interferes,
he views 125 Future and
past together, and insures The compact, to both
parties, uninfringed.
So Menelaus spake; and in all hearts
Awaken’d joyful hope that there should end War’s long calamities. Alighted each, 130 And drew his steeds into the lines. The field Glitter’d with arms put off, and side by side, Ranged orderly, while the interrupted war Stood front to front, small interval between.
Then Hector to the city sent in haste 135
Two heralds for the lambs, and to invite Priam; while Agamemnon, royal Chief, Talthybius to the Grecian fleet dismiss’d For a third lamb to Jove; nor he the voice Of noble Agamemnon disobey’d. 140
Iris, ambassadress of heaven, the while,
To Helen came. Laoedice she seem’d, Loveliest of all the daughters of the house Of Priam, wedded to Antenor’s son, King Helicaeon. Her she found within, 145 An ample web magnificent she wove,[9] Inwrought with numerous conflicts for her sake Beneath the hands of Mars endured by Greeks Mail-arm’d, and Trojans of equestrian fame. Swift Iris, at her side, her thus address’d. 150
Haste, dearest nymph! a wondrous sight behold!
Greeks brazen-mail’d, and Trojans steed-renown’d. So lately on the cruel work of Mars Intent and hot for mutual havoc, sit Silent; the war hath paused, and on his shield 155 Each leans, his long spear planted at his side. Paris and Menelaus, warrior bold, With quivering lances shall contend for thee, And thou art his who conquers; his for ever.
So saying, the Goddess into Helen’s soul 160
Sweetest desire infused to see again Her former Lord, her parents, and her home. At once o’ermantled with her snowy veil She started forth, and as she went let fall A tender tear; not unaccompanied 165 She went, but by two maidens of her train Attended, AEthra, Pittheus’ daughter fair, And soft-eyed Clymene. Their hasty steps Convey’d them quickly to the Scaean gate. There Priam, Panthous, Clytius, Lampus sat, 170 Thymoetes, Hicetaon, branch of Mars, Antenor and Ucalegon the wise, All, elders of the people; warriors erst, But idle now through age, yet of a voice Still indefatigable as the fly’s[10] 175 Which perch’d among the boughs sends forth at noon Through all the grove his slender ditty sweet. Such sat those Trojan leaders on the tower, Who, soon as Helen on the steps they saw, In accents quick, but whisper’d, thus remark’d. 180
Trojans and Grecians wage, with fair excuse,
Long war for so much beauty.[11] Oh, how like In feature to the Goddesses above! Pernicious loveliness! Ah, hence away, Resistless as thou art and all divine, 185 Nor
So Menelaus spake; and in all hearts
Awaken’d joyful hope that there should end War’s long calamities. Alighted each, 130 And drew his steeds into the lines. The field Glitter’d with arms put off, and side by side, Ranged orderly, while the interrupted war Stood front to front, small interval between.
Then Hector to the city sent in haste 135
Two heralds for the lambs, and to invite Priam; while Agamemnon, royal Chief, Talthybius to the Grecian fleet dismiss’d For a third lamb to Jove; nor he the voice Of noble Agamemnon disobey’d. 140
Iris, ambassadress of heaven, the while,
To Helen came. Laoedice she seem’d, Loveliest of all the daughters of the house Of Priam, wedded to Antenor’s son, King Helicaeon. Her she found within, 145 An ample web magnificent she wove,[9] Inwrought with numerous conflicts for her sake Beneath the hands of Mars endured by Greeks Mail-arm’d, and Trojans of equestrian fame. Swift Iris, at her side, her thus address’d. 150
Haste, dearest nymph! a wondrous sight behold!
Greeks brazen-mail’d, and Trojans steed-renown’d. So lately on the cruel work of Mars Intent and hot for mutual havoc, sit Silent; the war hath paused, and on his shield 155 Each leans, his long spear planted at his side. Paris and Menelaus, warrior bold, With quivering lances shall contend for thee, And thou art his who conquers; his for ever.
So saying, the Goddess into Helen’s soul 160
Sweetest desire infused to see again Her former Lord, her parents, and her home. At once o’ermantled with her snowy veil She started forth, and as she went let fall A tender tear; not unaccompanied 165 She went, but by two maidens of her train Attended, AEthra, Pittheus’ daughter fair, And soft-eyed Clymene. Their hasty steps Convey’d them quickly to the Scaean gate. There Priam, Panthous, Clytius, Lampus sat, 170 Thymoetes, Hicetaon, branch of Mars, Antenor and Ucalegon the wise, All, elders of the people; warriors erst, But idle now through age, yet of a voice Still indefatigable as the fly’s[10] 175 Which perch’d among the boughs sends forth at noon Through all the grove his slender ditty sweet. Such sat those Trojan leaders on the tower, Who, soon as Helen on the steps they saw, In accents quick, but whisper’d, thus remark’d. 180
Trojans and Grecians wage, with fair excuse,
Long war for so much beauty.[11] Oh, how like In feature to the Goddesses above! Pernicious loveliness! Ah, hence away, Resistless as thou art and all divine, 185 Nor
