So spake she: but those heroes Already dead and buried they

See now the heralds bearing Two lambs they bring for sacrifice, Idæus bears a goblet,

And thus with gently urgent words

"Rise king Laomedontius, The Trojans bold that quell the steed, Descend, they bid thee, to the plain,

For now with Menelais

Arm'd with long javelins, heroes both;

Who wins shall have the woman But let the rest in friendship join,

Thenceforth shall all the Trojans The Grecian hosts shall home repair, Where dwell their herds and women fair, Then Priam trembling order'd Mounted in haste, and drew the rein; Antenor mounted, and the twain

They reach'd the plain, and straightway Amidst the Greek and Trojan ranks,

Then rose king Agamemnon,
The solemn heralds brought the lambs,
Wine in a bowl they mingled,
And Agamemnon drew the knife

And so from each lamb's forehead
And, while the heralds gave to each,

"Oh, Father Jove, that rulest Oh Sun, by whom are all things seen, Oh, Earth and godlike Rivers, Avenge the crimes of men below, Oh! be ye all my witness, If Paris Menelaus slay,

With all the spoil she bears him; But if the ruddy Menelas

Then Helen shall the Trojans And add thereto a fitting fine,

But if Priam and his children Here will we stay, and toil and fight, With brazen knife the gullets And cast their bodies, reft of life, Each hero from his wine-cup And pray'd unto the immortal gods ;

all-bearing Earth contain'd; in their dear native land.

the offerings divine ;and a skin of genial wine. and cups of shining gold; excites he Priam old :-the warriors' bidding hear, and Greeks with brazen gear! that all an oath may swear. will godlike Paris fight, and Jove maintain the right! and treasure for his own ; and swear it every one! inhabit Troy in peace ;

in Argos and in Greece !” his squires to yoke, nor wait;

shot through the Scaan gate.

alighted from their car, all marshall'd for the war. and sage Ulysses rose; wherewith to pledge their vows. on their hands water pour'd, which hung beside his sword. a few short hairs he shear'd; thus pray'd with palms up[rear'd:

on Ida, greatest, best! to whom all sins confest! and Ye that after death and scourge their broken faith! and guard my solemn vows:be his the Argive spouse, and we will' homeward sail : o'er Paris do prevail, restore with all her gold; for our sons to have and hold. the prize shall still defend, e'en to war's utmost end !" of the lambs he slit in twain, all quivering on the plain. a due libation shed, and one or other said :

"Oh Father, noblest, greatest, Swears any falsely?—may his brain His own, his children's,-and his wife

They swore; but Jove confirm'd not Then Priam, son of Dardanus,

"Hear me, ye greave-clad Grecians, Myself will homeward turn, and back I dare not view my darling Jove knows, and all the gods above,

He said, and in the chariot Mounted himself, and drew the rein; Antenor mounted, and the twain

Then Hector son of Priam, A measured space, and next the lots For the first to hurl the javelin : And thus, with hands uprais'd to heaven "O Father Jove, that rulest

Whiche'er of these hath wrought the woe,—

Let him descend unpitied

But 'tween our hosts let friendship grow,
They pray'd, and highplumed Hector
The lot of Paris started forth :-

Each in his rank, wherever
Where'er their arms and armour bright
While godlike Paris, Helen's spouse,
And first his shins he covers
And on his breast his brother's mail,
A sword about his shoulders
A brazen sword,—and on his back
Placed on his head a helmet
Seiz'd the stout javelin in his grasp,
Nor less did brave Atrides
So both were arm'd apart, and thus
With flashing eyes :-beheld them
The Trojans bold that quell the steed,

and ye Immortals all, gush, as these wine-drops fall, a stranger'master' call!" the vow thus fondly made. betwixt them rose and said :and noble Trojans, hear! to windy Troy repair. with Menelas contend, whose is the destined end!" the slaughter'd victims set;

regain'd the Scean gate.

and great Ulysses took in a brazen helmet shook, while all the people pray'd, both Greek and Trojan said :-on Ida, greatest, best,

on whom the guilt doth rest,to Hades' gloomy reign; and plighted faith remain!" with eyes averted shook :— then all their places took, their rapid steeds were tied lay piled on either side; his glittering harness tried. S

with silver-mounted greaves ;
Lycaon's mail, receives :

with silver studs he flung,-
a mighty buckler swung :
by direful horsetail fann'd :-
well-balanc'd to his hand.
his arms about him set :-

betwixt the hosts they met, the warriors dazed with fear, and Greeks with brazen gear.

they clear'd the middle space, each in the other's face. and smote Atrides' shield; his blunted shaft repell'd. advanced with brandish'd spear, address'd himself with prayer:his dread account may pay,slain by my hand this day ;may venture to betray!"

He spake, and pois'd the javelin; It smote the Trojan's rounded shield,

Into the shining cuirass

Close to his flank the inner vest;

And black death scarcely 'scaped he :And reach'd his crest; the shatter'd blade, Thrice and again in fragments fray'd,

Then groan'd great Menelaus, "O Jove! no god so fell as thou :

But now!-when 'twixt my fingers My spear flew harmless from my hand;

He said, and rush'd on Paris,

Beneath his chin the straiten'd band And off he would have dragg'd him, But Venus saw, and burst the band; And swiftly following to his hand.

The helmet Menelaus

Hurra'd his comrades in the ranks,

Again he leapt on Paris, But Venus to the rescue ran, And easily, as goddess can,

She bore him to his chamber, And call'd for Helen where she sat She shook her scented mantle, Her long-loved nurse, who erst at home And thus she cried ;-"Come hither! He lies upon the splendid couch

All shining in his beauty,

As one who seeks or quits the dance,

Then much was Helen troubled; The form divine, the graceful gorge,

Then reverently address'd her,"Why, goddess! why thy child deceive, Now farther wilt thou waft me?— In Phrygian or Mæonian land, Is godlike Paris fallen ?And claims he his accursed bride?— And therefore comest thou to deride, Nay,-go, and sit by Paris ;Nor ever with thy foot regain

But moan thou with his moanings ;So may he take thee for his spouse,

straight from his hand it flew ; it pierced it through and [through:

the steel fast-driven rent but haply Paris bent, thereat Atrides drew,

away rebounding flew!

and gazing heavenwards said :now Paris had been spedmy futile weapon broke! the wretch has shunn'd the [stroke!

and clutch'd his horsehair [plume :-

left him scant breathing room :and earn'd immortal fame;

the empty helmet came. behind him whirl'd and flung; and caught it as it swung. furious to smite and slay;

snatch'd him in clouds away.

the sweet pavilion'd bower, with her maidens on the tower. in her nurse's semblance seen, her work fellow had been:thy Paris bids thee come : strown in the fragrant room; shining in raiment rare;

not one who breathes from war." nor fail'd she to agnise

fair breast, and dazzling eyes. and coax'd with words of fear:who still attends thee here? to another husband give where'er thy minions live? hath Menelaus won?—

and cheat me thus undone ? renounce thy bright abodes; the threshold of the gods: grant thou whate'er he crave; or haply for his slave!

But I will not go thither, Alack! so should the dames of Troy She spake and sigh'd; but Venus "Incense me not, lest I withdraw

And prove myself as hostile And raise against thee vengeful hands Then trembled heavenborn Helen,

And led by Venus, seen of none,

for shame, nor seek his bed! fling scorn upon my head!" impatiently replied:indignant from thy side, as erst I loved thee most; in either angry host!" and her cloak around her [threw;

all silently withdrew.

So to the bower of Paris

Her maidens hied them to their tasks,
So placed, she sat before him,
Her eyes averting from his sight :-
"Ah! thus return'st thou from the fight?
Slain by mine ancient husband!
Thy strength, thy skill, thy feats of arms
Now call on Menelaus

Nay, rather let me bid thee stay,
Nor tempt him to a second fray,
"Ah! spare me,"-answer'd Paris,—
By Pallas' aid he worsted me:
Be mine to-morrow's victory;
Come now, and let us mingle
For ne'er before did fond desire

Not when from Lacedæmon
And met thee first in dear embrace,

Leapt to his couch the lover;
And each with other laid them down

Meanwhile the son of Atreus
And for his vanquish'd rival sought

Nor would they have conceal'd him, For like black death they hated him,

Then cried king Agamemnon :— Hear me, ye Dardans and allies ;For valiant Menelaus

To us must Helen be restored;

Then pay the fine appointed,

Thus spake the king, and all the Greeks