T H E P O E T I C A L WO R K S

A N D R E W L A N G

I V OL . V

TH E P O E T I CAL Wo rm s

* W L A 3

! d i b N E ted y M rs. L A G

I N F 0UR VOLUM ES .

VOL V . I

With Port r ai

n m (J r ee o L o g a l s n 63 L .

P a te rn oste r R ow n E C . 39 , Lo don , . 4,

N ew Y o rk Tor n to , o

Bo m ba Ca c u t ta a nd M a a s y , l , d r

$3“ k; on( 9 e!

TH E PO ET I C AL WO R K S

dited N G E by M r s . LA

I N F OUR V OLUM ES

V O L . I V

8 Ll O 3 \V ith P or tr a i

’ a tc rn ost r R w do n e o Lo n E C . , , .

N ew Y r k T r n t o , o o o

B m ba C a c u a a n d M a a s o y , l t t , d r

fi

%L eff M a d e i n! G r ea t TA BLE OF CON TE N TS

V OLUM E I V

XV

H EL EN OF TR OY

D edic a t io n : To a ll Old F ri e nd s The Com i ng ofP a ris Th e S p e ll ofAp h rodite Th e F light ofH e l e n Th e D e a th ofCo ry t h u s Th e \V a r

Th e S a c k o fT ro T h e R u n o fH n y . et r ele

XV I

TH E WORL D ’ S D E SI RE SONG S FR OM , A N D CL E OP A TRA

' ’ T/ze I l or /d f D ef/ r e

I nvit a t io n Th e S on g oft h e Bo w Th o u gh t h e ligh t o ft h e su n be hidd e n Th e Lo rd ou r G od H e d orh S ign a n d w o n de r C O N E N T S

A la m p for ou r fe et Lost Love E n du r e m y hea r t ’ 0 Joy ofL ov e s r e n ewing Will y e bri ng fl a m e P a li nod e

La m e n t for O siris Th e Awa king ofOsi ris N igh t o n t h e S ea

’ Th e P o et s Apology H E LE N OF T R OY Le j oy eu lx te m ps Pa sse sou loit estre o cc a si o n qu e ie fa iso ie de pl a is a n ts h a n n n e es e t a a a e fa 7. e t a c a (1 1 gr cieuses go t b ll des . M is j m e suis m is ire ' ’ cette t r a it t i e d a lfl ic t io n co n tre m a dr o ite n a ture et suis co n te n t de

’ ’ ’ ’ l a v o ir r in se a r sem blem en a lle e es —Le c o . p , m es d uleurs m e estre g

de Ti oi zu Rom a nr / . O a ll old friends ; to all w h o dwell \V h e re Avon d hu and Avon gel D own to the deep Loch Aline How

Through valley s dear from long ago ;

’ T o a ll w ho hear the w h ispe r d spell Of Ken ; and Tweed l ike music swell

H ard by t he La nd Debatable ,

’ D r a to n s o O r y Yarty seaward g , To all Old friends !

To a ll tha t yet remember w ell

\V h a t lsi s to secrets had tell ,

’ H o w lazy Cherwell lo ite r d slo w

’ Sweet aisles ofblossom d may below W ’ ’ e ! hate er befall , whate er bet l ,

To d /l old friends .

H E LEN O E T R OY

B O O K I

Of o n o f a t t o o o fM n a K n ofLa c ed a ' m o n the c m i g P r s the h use e el us , i g ,

a nd o fthe t a le P a ris t old con cer n i n g his p a st li fe .

8 H E L E N O F T R O Y

e Th n cried he to his serving men , and all

’ Obey d him , an d their l abour did not spare ,

set o u t A n d women tables through the hall ,

’

olish d . L ight p tables , with the l inen fair d d A n d water from the well i others bear , A n d the good house - wife busily brought forth

Meats from her store , and stinted not the rare

\Vine from I sm a r i a n vineyards ofthe north .

The men d rave up a heifer from the field

’ fi sh e a th d h er For sacri ce , an d horns with A nd strong Boeth Ou s the axe did wiel d

’ on r oll d A n d smote her , the fruitful earth she , A nd they her l imbs divided , fol d on fol d i They l aid t he fat , and cast upon the f re

The barl ey grain . Such rites were wrought of old

’ When all was o r de r d as the gods desire . H E L E N O F T R O Y

And n ow the chariots came beneath the trees

o H ard by the palace p rtals , in the shade , A nd Menel aus knew Ki ng D iocles

ae of Of Pher , sprung an unhappy maid

’ Whom t he great El ian river god bet r a y d i w In the st ll atches of a summer n ight ,

’ When by his deep green w ater - course she st r a y d

’ - A nd I ea n d to pluck his water l ilies white .

B eside King Diocles t here sat a man —Ofall men mortal sure the fairest far

’ For o e r his purple robe Sidonian H is yellow hair shone brighter than the star Of the long golden locks that bo deth war ,

H is face was l ike t he sunshine , and his bl ue Gl ad eyes n o sorrow had the spell to mar \ ’ Vere clear as skies the storm hath th u n de r d through . ' t o H E L E N O F T R O Y

’ The stranger - prince w a s follo w d by a band

a ll of Of men , clad l ike rovers the sea ,

’ A n d brown d were they as is the desert sand ;

Loud in their mirth , and of their bearing free ; i A nd g fts t hey bore , from the deep treasury

An d o -oft f rests of some far eastern lord ,

V z ases of gol d , and bron e , and ivory ,

- That might the Pythian fane have over stored .

Then Menel aus spake unto his folk , d m An d eager at his wor they ran a ain ,

A nd loosed the sweating horses from t he yoke ,

A nd cast before them spelt , an d barley grain .

’ ’ th e oli sh d W A n d leau d p car , ith gol den rein , Agai n st t he shining spaces of the wall ,

’ An d call ed the sea - rovers w h o follow d fain

’ - a . W ithi n the. pilla r d fo re co u rts o fthe h ll H E L E N O F T R O Y l l

N ow w hen the k ing had greeted Diocles

’ see m d A nd him that his guest , the twain were

’ TO olish d the dim p baths , where , for their ease ,

’ Cool water o er their l ustrous l imbs w a s shed , With o il anointed was each goodly head By A ste ris an d Phylo fai r of face ,

i t w o fo r Next , l ke gods lovel iness , they sped

- TO Menelaus in the ba n quet pl ace .

’ w r There e e they seated at the k ing s right hand ,

A n d maidens bare them bread , and meat , and wine , Within that fair hall ofthe A rgive land Whose doors and roof with gol d and silver shine

- A s doth the dwell in g place ofZeus divine . An d Helen came from forth her fragrant bower

o f The fairest l ady immortal l ine ,

L o n n w n o a w n o o w . ike m r i g , he the r s y d d th fl e r H E L E N O F T R O Y

r i Ad aste set for her a sh ning chair ,

- — Well wrought of cedar wood an d ivory , i l A nd beaut fu Alcippe led the fair ,

- The well beloved chil d , H ermione , A l ittle maiden of long summers three

’ H e r - star l ike head on H elen s breast she l aid ,

’ A nd p ee p d out at the strangers wistfully

A s is the w ont of child ren hal f afraid .

N ow of when desire meat and drin k was done ,

o of A n d ended was the j y minstrelsy ,

i ee n h ow Q H elen spake , behol ding t he sun Within the heaven ofbron z e was riding high

th e Truly , my friends , methinks hour is nigh Wh en men may crave to know what need doth bring

’ a To Laced emon , o er wet ways and d ry , This prince that bears the sceptre of a king ? H E L E N O F T R O Y 1 3

od Yea , or perchance a g is he , for still

The great gods wander on our mortal ways , A nd watch their altars upon mead or hill fi A nd taste our sacri ce , and hear our lays ,

A nd now , perchance , will heed if any prays ,

A nd no w wil l vex us wit h unkind cont rol ;

B ut anywise must man l ive out his days ,

F o r fate hath given him an end uring so ul .

i Then tell us , pr thee , all that may be told , ! A nd if t hou art a mortal , joy be thine

od A nd if thou art a g , then rich with gol d

Thine altar in our palace court shall shine ,

With roses garlanded and wet with wine , A nd we shall praise thee with unceasing breath ,

A h , t hen be gentle as thou art d ivine , A nd bring not on us grievous love or death 3 1 4 H E L E N O F T R O Y

— Then spake t he stranger as whe n to a maid

low A young man speaks , his voice was soft and

od Al as , no g am I , be not afraid , For even now th e nodding daisies grow

W hose seed above my grassy cairn shal l blow , When I a m nothing but a d rift ofwhite D ust in a cruse ofgold , and nothing know

But darkness , and immeasurabl e n ight .

T h e no n o r twill h t dawn , or o , g , d rawet h nea r one shall smite me o n the bridge ofw a r ,

Or with t he ruthless sword , or with t he spear ,

Or wit h the bitter arrow flying far .

’ so B ut as a man s heart , his good days are ,

of That Zeus , the lord t hunder , giveth him ,

Wherefore I follow fortune , l ike a star ,

’ h a t e e r W may wait me in t he distance dim .

I 6 H E L E N O F T R O Y

XVIII

’ Then at t he goddess n ame grew H elen pale , Like golden stars that flick er in the d awn , Or l ike a child t hat hears a d readful tale ,

’ on O r l ike the roses a rich man s lawn ,

n ow of When the suns summer are withdrawn ,

’ sti r r d A nd the loose leaves with a sad wind are , Till the w et grass is strewn with petals wan

So paled t he golden H elen at his word .

’ B ut swift the rose into her cheek r et u r n d

A nd for a l ittle moment , l ike a flame ,

’ of bu r n d The perfect face A rgive H elen ,

’ A s dot h a woman s , when some spoken name

Brings back to mind some ancient love o r shame .

’ m a rk d But none save Paris the thing , who said ,

My tale n o more must wea ry this fair dame ,

’ \Vith tell ing why I wander al l un wed . H E L E N O F T R O Y 1 7

But H elen , bending on him gracious brows , Besought hi m for the story of his quest ,

Fo r sultry is the summer , t hat allows To mortal men no sweeter boon than rest , A nd surel y such a tale as t hine is best

- tb ot e d To make the dainty hours go by ,

Til l sin ks t he sun in darkness and the west ,

’ A nd soft sta rs lead the n ight along the sky .

w n P o Then at the ord of H ele aris sp ke , My tale is shorte r than a summer day

My mother , ere I saw the light , awok e ,

w llios At da n , in , shriek ing i n d isma y ,

’ ’ Vi ho c r e a m d t hat twi xt h e r fe et t he re fell

’ f bu r n d A laming brand , that utterly down

To d ust of crumbl ing ashes red and gray , w The co ronal of t o ers and all Tro y town . 1 8 H E L E N O F T R O Y

XXII Then t he interpretation of this dream My father sought at many priestly han ds ,

\V h er e t he white templ e doth in Pytho gleam ,

of A nd at the fane A mmon in the sands , A nd where t he oak tree ofDodona stands

With boughs oracular against t he sky ,

on e a ll A n d wit h voice t he gods from the lands ,

ou t Cried , The chil d must die , t he chil d m ust die

XXIII

Thus wa s I born to sorrow , and in fear

The dark priest took me from my sire , an d bore

A wail ing chil d through beech and pinewood d rear ,

Up to the knees of Ida , and the hoa r

w elleth Rocks whence a fountain evermore ,

to A nd steals with sullen waters the sea ,

’ Through bl ack and rock -wa ll d pools without a shore

’ A n d there they de e m d they took farewell of me . H E L E N O F T R O Y

XX I V But round my neck they tied a golden ring That fell from G anymedes w hen he soar ’ d

’ o n e a le s H igh over Ida the g wing , To dwel l fo r ever wit h the gods adored To be t he cup-bearer beside t he board

ete r na l Of Zeus , an d kneel at t he throne

’ ’ A jewel twas from ol d King Tros s hoard ,

That r uled in llios ages long agone .

And there they left me in that del l untrod

no r Shepherd huntsman ever wanders t here ,

Fo r Pa n dread of , that is a jealous god

Yea , and the ladies of the streams forbear

to The Na iad ny mphs , weave their dances fair , Or twine their yellow tresses with the shy Forget -me - nots an d fronds ofmaiden -hair

There had the priests appointed me to d ie . a o H E L E N O F T R O Y

XXVI

But vainly clot h a ma n conten d with fate ! My father had less pity on his son

Than wild things ofthe woodl and desol ate . ’ Tis said that ere the autumn day was done

- won n A great she bear , that in t hese rocks d id , Behel d a sleeping babe she did convey

to on o f Down a den unlooked the sun ,

The cavern where her ow n soft lit t er l ay .

XXVII

t e n w a s I w o A n d her i n u rt ured n d rously ,

S o : rumour sait h I kn ow not of these t hings ,

F or mortal men are ever wont to l ie ,

’ Whene er they speak ofsceptre -bearing kings

w h a w a s o I t ell t I t ld , for memory brings

’ \ r o e l o r e c or d o t h se t hat are as d ep Lost as the l ullaby a mot her sings

I n ears of chil dren that are fallen on sleep . H E L E N O F T R O Y

XXV III

’ no w li a ss d Men say that ve autumn days had p , \ Vhen Agel aus , following a h urt deer ,

Trod soft on crackl ing acorns , and the mast

- That l ay beneath the oak and beech wood sere ,

I n dread lest angry Pa n were sleeping near , Then heard a cry from forth a cavern gray ,

And peeping round the fallen rocks in fear ,

’ Beheld w here in the wild bea s t s tracks I la y .

XXIX

So Agel aus bore me from the wild , Down to his hut , a nd wit h his child ren I

’ \V a s a s w a s deem d il n urtured , being , , the ch d

or i Of H ermes , some mountain de ty ; For these wit h the wild ny mphs a re wont to l ie w Within the holy caverns , here t he bee Can scarcely find a darkl ing path to fly

- Through veils of bracken and the ivy tree . n H E L E N O F T R O Y

XXX

’ S o o n str a d with the shepherds the hills I y , A n d d rave the kine to feed where rivers run ,

’ ri la d - A d p y upon the reed pipe in the shade ,

An d scarcely kn ew my man hood was begun ,

on e he pleasant years still passing one by ,

w a s Till I chiefest Of the mountain men , A n d cl imbed the peaks that take the snow a nd

’ A n d br a ved the a ng e r d l ion in his den .

XXX I

Now in my herd ofkine was on e more dea r

a ll By far than the rest , an d fairer far ,

bu ll of A mil kwhite , the captive my spear , A nd all the wondering shepherds called h im

to w a r A nd stil l he led his fellows the ,

When the l ean wolves against the herds came down ,

Then woul d he charge , and d rive their hosts afar

B eyond the pa s tures to the forests brown .

H E L E N O F T R O Y

XXXIV — B ut ere they came to the god builded wall , They spied a meadow by the water -side , And there the men of Troy were gathered al l

’ F o r joust and play , a nd P riam s sons defied All other men i n all M a eon i a wi de T o st rive wit h them in boxing and in speed . V ictorious with the shepherds had I vied ,

So boldly followed to that flowery mead .

XXXV

M mon l a , Ph rygia , Troia there were met ,

A nd there the k ing , child Of L aomedon ,

fo r R ich prizes the van quishers had set ,

s u n D amsels , and robes , an d cups that l ike the

w a s on e S hon e , but the white bull the chiefest , A n d him the victor in the games should slay

To of Zeus , t he k ing gods , when al l was done ,

And so with sacrifice should crown the d ay . H E L E N O F T R O Y

XXXVI

N o w w it ere over long , methinks , to tell The contest o ft he heady charioteers

’

t u r n d . Of t hem the goal that , and them that fell

of B ut I out ran the young men my years ,

bow ou t - do A nd wit h t he did I my peers ,

w - And restl ing , and in boxing , over bold , I strove w ith H ector ofthe ashen spears ,

- till . Yea , the deep voiced heralds bade us hold

X XXV H

’ Then Priam h a il d me w inner of the day ,

w z Mine ere the maid , t he cup , and chiefest pri e , Mine o w n fair milkwhite bull was mine to slay ,

’ w a x d But then the murmurs to angry cries ,

on A nd hard men set me in deadly wise ,

’ t u r n d My brethren , though they knew it not , I , fi A nd fled unto the place of sacri ce ,

’ a l ta rs to the g od of strangers bu rn d . 1 6 H E L E N O F T R O Y

XXXVIII

la At mine own funeral feast had I been s in ,

B u t . , fearing Zeus , they halted for a space

’ 10 A nd , A pollo s priestess with a train

Of holy maidens came into that place ,

A nd far did she outshine the rest in grace , B ut i n her eyes such d read w a s frozen then A s glares eternal from the Gorgon ’ s face

T “herew ith Athene q uells the ranks of men .

XXXIX

’ w a s She old Priam s d aughter , long ago

lov ed Apollo her , and d id not deny

— to H is gifts the things that are to be know , — i The tongue of sooth say ng that cannot lie , A n d k nowledge gave he ofa ll birds that fly

’ Neath heaven , a nd yet his prayer did she disdain .

So he his gifts confounded utterly ,

A nd sooth she saith , but evermore in vain . H E L E N O F T R O Y

She , when her dark eyes fell on me , d id stand

w il w w a n A t gaze a h e , ith l ips murm u ring ,

to A nd then came nigh me , and took my hand ,

to Of A nd led me the footstool the k ing ,

’ ” c a ll d A nd me brother , and d rew forth the

That men had found upon me in the wild , For stil l I bore it as a precious thing

The token o fa father to his child .

’ This sign Cassand ra show d to Priam : straight

’ ’ w a x d a le a sk d ? The king p , and w hat this might be

sh e n A nd made answer , Sir , an d ki g , the fate That comes to all men born hath come on thee , This shepherd is t hine ow n chil d verily

to ! How l ike thine his shape , his brow , his hands Nay there is none but hath the eyes to see That here the child long lost to T roia stands 1 8 H E L E N O F T R O Y

XLI I

Then the k ing bare me to his lofty hall , An d there w e feasted i n m uch love and mirth A nd Priam to the mountain sent for all

That k new me , and the manner of my birth A nd now among the great on es of the earth

I n se t royal robe an d state behol d me ,

An d o ne fell thing I fear not , even dearth ,

’ Whate er the gods remember or forget .

X LIII

n ew My rich life had grow n a common thing ,

The pleasant years still passing one by one , When deep in I d a was I wan deri ng

of - I lios The gla re well buil t to shun ,

I n sum mer , ere the day was wholl y done, When I beheld a goodl y prince— the hair To bloom upon h is l ip had scarce begun

The season when the flower of youth is fair . H E L E N O F T R O Y 7-9

X LIV

' l hen kne w I Hermes by his golden wand \V h e r e w ith he lulls t he eyes ofmen to sleep , w But , nodding ith his brows , he bade me stand ,

TO- A nd spake , night thou hast a tryst to keep , \Vith goddesses within the forest deep ,

A nd Paris , lovely things shalt thou behold , More fair t han they for w hich men war and weep

Kingdoms , and fame , and victories , and gol d .

F o r lo ! t o - n w t h e , ight ithin fo rest d im

r Do A ph od ite and Athene meet ,

w h o to sh a ll A nd H era , thee bare each limb ,

Each grace from gol den head to ivory feet .

A nd thee , fair shepherd Paris , they entreat

!

As t hou mongst men art beauteous , to decla re

( een of( w Which b meens immortal is most s eet ,

A nd doth deserve the meed of the most fair . go H E L E N o r T R O Y

XLV I For late between them rose a bitter strife

’ In Peleus halls upon his wedding day ,

When Peleus took him an immortal wife ,

’ h idden A nd there was all the gods array ,

Save Discord only , yet she brought d ismay ,

on A n d cast an apple the bridal board , Wit h L et the fairest bear the prize away

on Deep its gol den rind an d gleamin g , scored .

XLVII

N ow in the sudden night , when as the sun

’ I n Tethys silver arms hath slept an hou r ,

Shalt thou be had into the forest dun ,

A nd brought unto a dark enchanted bower , A nd there of goddesses behol d the flower

Wit h ve ry beauty burning in the n ight ,

OfTe r A nd these will Wisdom , Love , and Power ,

Then , Paris , be thou wise , an d choose a right

N O F 37. H E L E T R O Y

C C C z i Paris , give me t he pri e , and thou shalt re gn

’ O er man y lordly peoples , far an d wide ,

From them that till t he bl ack and crumbl ing pl ain ,

\Nh e r e t u s the sweet waters of n yp gl ide , To those t hat on the northern marches ride ,

Ce tei a n s A n d the , and the blameless men

- That roun d the rising pl ace of morn abide ,

A nd a ll the dwell ers in the Asian fen .

C C C A nd I w ill lov e fair I lio s a s I lo v e

h l c e n a e A rgos an d rich y , that doth hoard Deep wealth , an d I will make thee k ing above A hundred peoples , men shal l c a ll thee lord

’ I n tongues thou k h ow st n o t : thou shal t be a dore d

r fi W ith sac i ce , as are the gods d ivine ,

o If nly thou wilt speak a little word ,

z o f A nd say t he pr i e lovel iness is mine . H E L E N O F T R O Y 33

C Then , as I doubted , l ike a sudden flame

Of silver came A thene , and methought

Beholding her , how stately , as she came , That dim wood to a fragrant fane w a s wrought ,

’ see m d So pure the warl ike maiden , that nought B ut her own voice command ing made me raise

to w h o M ine eyes see her beauty , besought

I n briefest words t he guerdon of a ll praise .

C She spake : CC Nor wealt h nor crowns are in my gift

B ut wisdom , but the eyes that glance a far ,

B ut courage , and the spirit that is swift To cleave her pat h through all the waves of w a r , Endurance that t he Fates can never mar , — These , and my loving friendship , these are thine ,

A n d these shall guide thee , steadfast as a star , ” If thou hast eyes to know the pri z e is mine . 3+ H E L E N O F T R O Y

C s o f La t , in a lovely mist rosy fire ,

Came A ph rodite t hrough t he forest glade ,

o f The q ueen all del ight and all desire , More fair t han when he r naked fo ot she l aid

’ ’ O n the blind me re s wild wave t hat sank dismay d , \V h a t time t he sea grew smoother t han a lake ,

I was too happy to be sore afraid . A n d l ike a song her voice was when she Spake

C CC ? O h Pa ris , w hat is power Tantal us

o A nd Sisyphus were kings l ng t ime ago ,

But n o w they l ie in t he Lake Dolorous , The hills ofh ell a re noisy with their woe , A fl y , swift the t ides of empire ebb an d ow ,

wo n A n d t hat is quickly lost was ha rdly ,

’ As I lios hersel f o e r well did k now

’ w a lls h el d When high p not K ing Laomedon . H E L E N O F T R O Y

C CC A nd w hat a re st rength and courage ? for t he child

Of mighty Zeus , the st rong man H erakles ,

n y y v Knew ma da s and e il , ere men piled

( w o t The py l e in E ta , here he g his ease

'

I n w e th e o fbl a ve . deat h , h re all ills men cease

o I ro lfe r o n Nay , l ve p t hee , bey nd the bri e

a ll e Of t he curr nts of t he western seas , The fairest woman in the world is t hine

L I ’ I I

C a n d She spake , and touched t he prize , all grew d im ,

’ I heard n o voice o fa n g e r d deity But ro und me d id t he n ight air swo o n and swim ,

’ w w a ke n d lo ! A nd , hen I , t he sun was high ,

s I A nd in that place accu r ed d id l ie , \V h e re A gelaus fo und the naked child , Then with s w ift foo t I d id a rise a n d fly ’ o r o o l th fr m the deeps ft hat enchanted w ild . 36 H E L E N O F T R O Y

LV III

C — A n d down I sped to I lios down the del l

\V h e r e , years agone , the white bul l guided me ,

’ A nd through green bo ughs beheld whe re fo a m d and fell The merry waters Of t he weste rn sea ,

o Of l ve the sweet birds sang from sky and t ree ,

’ r e a c h d An d swift I the haven and the shore ,

’ ’ c a ll d follo w d A n d my mariners , an d free

Where love might lead across the waters hoa r .

C Three da y s with fa ir w inds ran we , then we drave Before t he nort h that made t he long waves swell Roun d Malea , but hardly from t he wave

’ ’ YVe c it a del scaped at Pylos , Nestor s ,

so n o f A nd t here the Neleus loved us well ,

o A n d br ught us to t he high prince , D iocles , ’ \V h o led us hither , and it t hus befel l w ’ That here , belo thy roof, we sit at ease . H E L E N O F T R O Y

a ll Then men gave the stranger thanks an d praise , A nd Menelaus for red wine bade c a ll ,

fell a ll And the sun , and dark were the ways ,

ba ll Then maidens set forth braziers in the ,

’ And h e a p d them high w ith l ighted brands w ithal

’ H ele n a ss d But p , as doth the fading day

o w Pass fr m the orld , and softly l eft them all ’ w Loud o e r their ine amid the twil ight gray .

SO w night d rew on ith rain , nor yet they ceased

h a ll the to d rink the gleaming wine ,

’ o u r d s A nd l ate they p the la t cup of the feast ,

To - A rgus bane , the messenger divine ,

’ t a ll o n And last , neath torches t hat sm ke and shi e ,

’ ’ stre w d w o e r The maidens the beds ith purple , That Diocles and Paris might recl ine

All n ight , beneath the echoing corridor .

BOOK 1 1

THE S PELL OF A PH RO D ITE

OW in the upper chamber o ’ er the gate

Lay Menel aus on his carven bed , And swift and sudden as the stroke o ffate

A deep sleep fell upon his weary head . But the soft -w inged god with wand o flead

Came not nea r H elen , wistful d id she l ie ,

Till d ark should change to gray , and gray to

’ A nd golden th roned morn sweep o e r the sky . 4 2. H E L E N O F T R O Y

’ Slow p a ss d the heavy night : l ike one w h o fears

sh e The step of mu rder , l ies q uivering , I fa ny cry of the night bird she hears ,

And strains her eyes to mark some d readful thing , I fbut the curtains of the window swing

’ S ti r r d by the breath of n ight ,and still she wept A s she were not the daughter of a king

A n d no stron g king , her he r slept .

w h o Now in that n ight , the fol k watch the night ,

s Shepherds an d fi hermen , an d they that ply

- Strange a rts and seek their spells in the star l ight ,

se a sk Beheld a marvel in the a nd y , For all the waves of all t he seas that sigh

H ellé Between the straits of and the Nile ,

’ F lu h d fl of s with a ame silver suddenly ,

From soft Cythera to the Cyprian isl e . H E L E N O F T R O Y 4 ;

s A nd He pe rus , the k indest sta r of heaven ,

’ a ll w a x d s That bringeth things good , pale , and traig ht There fell a flash of w hite mal ignant levin A mong the glea ming w aters desolate ; Th e lights of sea and sky d id mix and mate

\ n d to o fl change r sy ame , and thence d id fl y

The lovel y ween of Love that turns to hate ,

’ s w Like ummer l ightning s t ixt the sea a nd sky .

’ now o w fill d w A nd the b er of H elen ith l ight , A nd no w sh e k ne w the thing that she did fear

clo s e upo n her (for the black of n ight

’ fi w a r e Doth burn l ike re , hene er the gods near) , Then shone like fla m e each hel m and shield and spear

That hung w ithin the chamber of the k ing . — But li e though all the bo w er as da y w a s clear

Slept as they s leep that k now no wakening . H E L E N O F T R O Y

’ But Helen lea p d from her fair carven bed L ike some tor m ented th in g that fea r makes bol d A nd on the ground she beat her golden head

’ a d A n d p r y with bitter moanings manifol d . Yet knew that sh e coul d never move the col d

H eart of the lovel y goddess , stand ing there ,

o H er feet up n a l ittl e cloud , a fol d

Of silver cloud about her bosom bare .

o a s So sto d ween Aphrod ite , she stands

Un moved i n he r bright mansion , when in vain Some naked maiden stretches hel pl ess hands

n A nd shifts the magic wheel , and burns the grai ,

And cannot wi n her lover back again ,

o ld of Nor her heart q uiet any more , fl Where moonlight oods the d im Sicilian main ,

And the cool wavelets break along the shore . H li L F. N O F T R O Y

Then H elen ceased from unavail ing prayer ,

fa A nd rose and ced t he goddess stead ily , Till eve n the laughte r - l o ving lady fa ir

r o e o f H al f sh an k bef r t he ange r he r eye ,

e w A nd H len c r ied ith an exceed ing cry , \V h y dot h Zeus l ive , if we indeed must be

of No more t han sullen spoils dest in y , A nd slaves ofan ad ulteress l ike thee

3 \V h a t a ll wo e wilt thou with me , mist ress of

h e a r Say , wilt thou me to another land \V h e re t hou hast ot her lovers ? Rise and go

\V h e re i da d a rk the pine t rees upon stand , For there d id o ne unl oose thy girdle ba nd

o O r seek t he f rest where A don is bled ,

O r wander , wander on t he yellow sand ,

’ \V h e r e thy fi rst lover st r ew d thy bridal bed . + 6 H E L E N O F T R O Y

Ah ! fi , thy first lover who is rst or last ’ m e d > o u nn u b r . Of men and g ds , and unnamed

’ a ss d Lover by lover in t he race is p ,

Lover by lover , outcast an d ashamed . ! O h , thou of many names , and evil famed 9 \V h a t wilt t hou wit h me \V h a t m ust I endure

\Vh ose a ll ? soul , for t hy craft , is never tamed

u r e D hose heart , for all t hy wiles , is ever p

‘ Be h old m , y heart is purer t ha n the pl ume

Upon t he sta inless pinions of the swan , A nd t hou w ilt smirch and sta in it w it h the fume

a l Of l t hy hateful l usts l dal ian . M y name shal l be a hissing t hat a man i Shal l sm le to speak , and women curse and hate ,

o n A n d my l ittle child shall come a ban ,

o And all my l fty hom e be desolate .

8 + H E L E N O F T R O Y.

f Then H elen ceased , her passion l ike a lame

That slays the thing it l ives by , blazed and fi A s faint as waves at dawn , t hough erce they came By night to st o rm some rocky citadel ’ — F o r A phrod ite a ns w e r d l ike a spell H er vo ice makes strength of mortals pass away Dost thou not know that l have loved thee well A n d never loved thee better t han to - day 9

Behol d ,thine eyes are wet , t hy cheeks are wan ,

Yet art thou born of a n immortal sire , The child of Nemesis and ofthe Swan ,

Thy veins should run with ichor an d with fire .

Yet t his is thy del ight an d thy desire ,

To love a mortal lord , a mortal chil d ,

’ o f u n h m n d ofl re To l ive , un praised l ute , y y ,

u n defile d A s any woman pure and . H E L E N O F T R O Y + 9

a rt to Thou the y of gods , an inst rument

\V h e re w ith a ll o r mortals shall be pl agued blest , Even at my pleasure , yea t hou shalt be bent

’ This way and that , howe er it l ike me best

A nd following t hee , as t ides t he moon , the west

S hall flood t he eastern coasts wit h waves of war ,

’ v e x d A nd thy soul shall scarcely be at rest ,

Even in the havens where the deathless are .

XVII

The inst ruments of men are blind and dumb ,

A nd this one gift I give t hee , to be bl in d

of A nd heedless the thing that is to come , A nd ignorant of that which is behind , Bearing an in nocent forgetful min d In each new fortune till 1 visit t hee

A n d stir t hy hea rt , as l ightning and the wind

Bear fire and tumult t hro ugh a sleeping sea . so H E L E N O F T R O Y

XVIII

Thou shalt forget Hermione , forget

Thy lord , thy lofty palace , an d t hy kin ,

’ Thy han d within a stranger s shalt thou set ,

no r A n d follow h im , deem it any sin ,

’ w a n d r i n A n d man y a stran ge lan d g shalt t hou win ,

c om e A nd thou shalt to a n unhappy town ,

A n d t wenty long years shalt thou dwell therein ,

Before the A rgives m a r its towery crown .

A nd ofthine end I speak not , but thy name — Thy name which thou la m en t est t hat shall be ’ f A son g in all men s speech , a tongue of lame Between the burn ing l ips ofPoesy ,

A n d the n ine daughters of Mnemosyne , \ Vith P rince A pollo , leader of t he n in e , Shall make thee deathless in their minst relsy !

for v Yea , thou shalt outl i e the race divine , H E L E N O F T R O Y s t

o for o f The race of g ds , l ike the sons men

o o u r g ds have but season , and go by ,

’ A n d o a ss d r Cr nos p , a nd U an us , and then Shall Zeu s and a ll his children utterly

Pass , and new gods be bo rn , and reign , and But thee shall lovers wo rship evermore

’ \V h a t t gods soc e usurp t he changeful sky , f Or lit forsaken to t he changeless shore .

N o w no t o d a v sleep and d ream , sleep t he l ng t hrough , A n d t he brief w atches of t he summer n ight

o fl w A n d t hen go f rt h amid the o ers and dew , \ Vh e r e t he red rose of dawn outburns t he white . There shalt thou learn my mercy an d my might Between t he d rowsy l ily and t he rose ,

There shalt thou s pell t he mean ing of del ight , A nd know such gladness as a goddess knows ! 5 2 H E L E N O F T R O Y

XXII

e fl Th n Sleep came oating from t he L emn ian isl e ,

’ c r u sh d A nd over Hel en his poppy crown ,

’ H e r o w a ver d s ft lids for a littl e whil e , w Then on her carven bed she laid her do n ,

A n d Sleep , t he comforter of k ing and clown, Ki n d Sleep t he sweetest , near akin to Death , H w eld her as close as Deat h dot h men that d ro n , S o close that none might hear her inward breat h

XX III

So close no man might tel l she was not dead ! — A n d t hen the g oddess took her z one where lies

A ll her enchant ment , love and l ust ihead ,

th e ' la d w A nd g converse that beguiles the ise ,

A nd grace the very gods may not despise , A nd sweet desire t hat dot h the w hol e worl d move

’ ' A nd therewit h tou c h d she H elen s sleeping e y es

A nd made her lovely as the q ueen of love . H E L E N O F T R O Y

XXIV

’ Then roun d her throat she c la sp d an amulet w A ruby graven ith a wond rous spell ,

w a s That in a coil of burn ing gold set ,

oo - for And thence the bl d red d rops eve r fell ,

’ \ n d v i . strangely a n sh d , (thus old stories tel l)

’ Nor m a r k d her w hite breast w ith thei r o ver - Ho w

’ s o oo t w y mb l of men s bl d , that still mus ell ,

’ \V h e d no w re a ss r o . H elen p , stain her feet of sn

Then laughter -loving A phrodite w ent

To l far dal ia , over land and sea ,

\ n d - . sca rce the fragran t ceda r branches ben t

Beneath her footsteps , fa ring d aintily ,

. \ n d in idalia the G races three

, \noin ted her w ith oil ambro sial

So to her house in Sid o n w ended s h e

To mock the prayers of lovers when they c a ll . 5+ H E L E N O F T R O Y

XXVI A nd al l d ay long the incense and the smoke

’ f roll d L ifted , and fell , and so t and slowl y , A nd many a hymn and musical awoke w Bet een the pill ars of her house of gold ,

’ A n d - c ro w n d - o rose gi rls , an d fair boys l inen st led , fi Did sacri ce her fragrant courts within , A nd in da rk chapels wrought rites man ifold

The loving favour of the q ueen to w i n .

XXVII

B ut Menelaus , waking suddenl y ,

w a s w a s Behel d the dawn white , the day near ,

’ A n d kiss d no o - rose , and fair H elen , g od bye

’ m a r k d H e spake , and neve r a fallen tear

Men k now no t when they part for many a year !

— ’ l le r a s d z - g p a bron e shod l ance in either hand ,

o A nd merril y went f rth to d rive the deer ,

With Paris , th rough the dewy morning land .

5 6 H E L E N O F T R O Y

XXX

w a s fi Then Paris the rst to rush on him ,

to With spear aloft in his strong hand sm ite , A nd through the monster pierced the point , and d im

fl a ll The ame fel l in his eyes , and his might

o n i With his l ast cry wen t forth , f rgetti g l ght , f Forgetting strength , he ell , and gladly then

’ a th e r d w They g round , and dealt ith him a right ,

Then left his body with the serving men .

XXX I

i Now birds were long awake , that with the r cry Were wont to waken H elen , an d the dew

Where fell the sun upon the l awn was d ry ,

“ A nd all the summer l an d w a s glad anew ,

’ An d maidens footsteps rang the pal ace through ,

And w ith their footsteps chimed their happy song .

o n e to A n d other cried , A marvel new

’ That soft -wi ng d sleep hath hel d the q ueen so long I H E L E N O F T R O Y

XXXII

P h o o Then l br ught the child H ermi ne ,

’ And close un to her mother s side she crept ,

’ o e r o d- And her g l ike beauty tumbled she , w Chiding her s eetl y that so late she slept , A nd babbl ing still a me rry coil she kept , But l ike a w oman stiffbeneath her shro ud

’ fe a r d w L ay H elen , till the young child and ept ,

And ran , and to her n urses cried aloud .

XXX III

w Then came the omen q uickly , and in d read

’ G a th e r d round H elen , but might n aught avail TO w ake her , moveless as a maiden dead

That A rtemis hath slain , yet nowise pale ,

{Eth ra w S he l ay , but did begin the ail ,

w w sa d A nd all the omen ith voice repl ied ,

’ ’ Wh o de e m d her p a ss d unto the po plar vale \V h e re in doth d read Persephone abide . 5 8 H E L E N O F T R O Y

XXXIV A h ! slowly went the miserable day In the rich house that l ate w a s full of pride ,

Till the sun fell , and all the paths were gray , — A n d Menelaus from the moun tain side w Came , and through palace doors all Open ide

( a n Of y, the wild d irge that tol d him the thing

H . That elen , that the q ueen had strangel y died

Then on his threshold fell he grovelling ,

XXXV

A n d cast the dust upon his yellow hair ,

’ le a d A nd , but that Paris p an d hel d his hand ,

’ ’ elu teh d H is h unter s knife woul d he have , an d there

H ad slain himself, to follow to that l and \M Hi t here the ghosts of men , a shadowy band

That have no more del ight , no more desire ,

’ \ f bu r n d Vhen once the lesh hath down like a brand ,

’ D re nc h d by the d ark wine on the funeral pyre H E L E N O F T R O Y

XXXVI

So on the ashen th reshold l ay the king ,

A nd all w ithin the house w a s chill and d rea r ,

’ The w omen w atchers g a th c r d in a ring A bo ut th e be d of Helen and her bier ,

to A nd much had they to tell , and much hea r ,

Of happy q ueens and fair , untimel y dead Such joy they took amid their evil cheer w the lo thunder muttered ove rhead .

B OO K I I I

T fl o f n a nd a fo La eedmm o n a nd o fw a n he ight Hele P ris r m , h t thi gs b f i o d h o o o n a n a n w a t T r . e ell the m their v y gi g , they c m e y

6+ H E L E N O F T R O Y

But A phrodite sent a slumber deep

’ Old On all in t he king s palace , young and , An d one by one t he w omen fell asleep Their lamentable tales left half u ntold

o w a x . Bef re t he dawn , when fol k wea k an d col d

’ wa ken d But Helen with t he shining morn , F orgett ing q uite her sorrows man ifold ,

- A nd l ight of heart as wa s the day new born .

Of She had no memory unhappy things , S he kne w not of the evil days to come

o w w s F rgotten e re her an cient andering , A nd as Le th ae a n waters wholly n umb

The sense of spirits in Elysium ,

That no remembrance may thei r bliss alloy ,

w a s Even so t he rumour of her days dumb ,

A nd all her hea rt was ready for new joy . . H E L E N O F T R O Y 6 v

n ot The young day knows Of an elde r dawn ,

ofold Old Joys noons , sorrows of the n ight , w A nd so from H elen was the past ithdrawn ,

Her lord , he r child , her home forgotten quite , Lost in t he ma rvel Of a new del ight

on e w h o not She was as knows he shall die , \V hen earthly colours melt into the bright h Pure splendour of is im mortal ity .

f Then Helen rose , and all her body a ir

’ ba t h d She in the spring water , pure and col d , A nd wit h her hand bound up her shining hair A nd clothed her in the raiment that ofOld w Athene wrought ith marvels man ifold , A bridal gift from a n immortal hand ,

’ a ll c la s d C A nd the front was p with lasps Of gold ,

r A nd fo the girdle was a golden band . 66 H E L E N O F T R O Y

Next from her upper chambe r silently

Went Helen , moving l ike a morn ing dream .

n ot She did k now the golden roof, the high

on Walls , an d the shields that the pillars glea m , Only she heard the murmur Of the st rea m

’ That waters all t he garden s wide expanse ,

of This song , and cry singing birds , did seem

To guide her feet as music guides the dance .

The music d rew her on to the glad air

From forth the chamber Of enchanted death , A n d 10 ! the worl d w a s waking everywhere ,

The win d went by , a cool del icious breath ,

L ike t hat which in the gardens wandereth , The golden gardens ofthe Hesperides ,

A nd in its song unheard Of things it saith ,

The myriad marvels of the fairy seas . H E L E N O F T R O Y

So through the courtyard to the ga rden close \ Vent Helen , where she hea rd the murmuring

’ Of water twixt the l ily and t he rose ,

For thereby dot h a double fountain spring . To o ne stream do the women pitchers bring

’ By Menela us gates , at close of day ,

The other t hrough the close dot h shin e an d sing ,

Then to the swift Eurotas fleets away .

A nd H elen sat her down upon the grass ,

’ lu c k d A nd p t he l ittle daisies white a nd red ,

’ toss d A nd t hem where t he runn ing waters pass ,

To t o - wa ch them racing fr m the fountain head ,

’ A n d wh i r l d a bout w here l ittle streams dispread ,

A nd still with merry birds the garden rang ,

m a r r m a r r A nd y , y , in their song they said ,

Or so do maids interpret that they sang . 6 8 H E L E N O F T R O Y

’ ’ stOO d w a tc h d a Then p she down , an d the crystal st re m ,

A n d fishes poising where t he waters ran ,

lo ! A n d upon the glass a golden gleam ,

A n d purpl e as Of robes Sidon ian ,

Then , sudden turn ing , she beheld a man , That k nelt beside her , as her ow n face fair

’ o er is for Was his , and h shoulders a span

Fell the bright tresses ofhis yellow h a ir .

’ Then either lOOk d on other wit h a maze

A s each had seen a god ,for no long while .

’ m a rvell d They , but as in the first Of days ,

fi of i The rst men a nd ma ids d id meet an d sm le ,

A n d A phrodite d id their hearts beguile ,

S o n o hands met hands , lips l ips , with word said

’ Were they en chanted neath t hat l eafy aisl e ,

’ ’

i bet roth d w ed . A nd s lently were woo d , , and H E L E N O F T R O Y 69

w Ah , slo l y d id their silence wake to words That scarce had more of meaning than the song

’ P o u r d forth of the innumerable birds That till the palace ga rdens all day long ,

so So innocent , ignorant of wrong ,

’ \ s h e Vas , so happy each in other s eyes ,

w o Thus rought the mighty goddess that is st r ng , w Even to make n augh t the isdom of the wise .

N ow in the midst ofthat enchanted place

’ li n e r d R ight gladl y had they g all day th rough ,

’ A n d fed thei r love upon each other s face ,

But A phrodite had a counsel new , i ’ A nd s lently to Pa ris side she d rew , l n fEth r a gu ise of , whispering that the day

on w Sped , whil e his ship waited , an d his cre

i n G th a . Impatient , in the narrow y bay 70 H E L E N O F T R O Y

For thither had she brought them by her skill ,

Bu t — wh o H el en saw her not n ay , can see A goddess come or go against her will ?

’ w h i s er d Then P aris p , Come , ah , love , with Come to a shore beyond the barren sea ,

There doth the brid al crown await thy head , A nd there shall all the land be gl ad Of thee

’ fol ow d l . Then , l ike a child , she where he led

‘ ’

F or t w a s . , l ike a chil d s her gentl e hear glad

’ SO through the courtyard p a ss d they to the gate ,

A n d even there , as Aphrodite bade , The steeds of Paris and the chariots wait ,

‘ - led h e r st r a i h t Then to the well wrought car he g ,

A nd grasped the shin ing whip and gol den rein , A nd swift t hey drave until the day was l ate

By clear Eurotas through the fruitful plain .

7: H E L E N O F T R O Y

XVIII

‘ t Then Paris d id a poin of hunting blow , N o r yet the sound had d ied upon the hill \ Vhen round the isl e they spied a scarlet prow ,

’ A nd oars that fla sh d into that haven still ,

The oarsmen bending forward with a will , A nd swift their black ship to the haven -side

’ stee r d They brought , and her in with goodly

h t ‘ A nd bare on board the strange AC C il ll bride .

Now while the swift ship through the waters clave ,

a Al l happy things that in the w ters dwell ,

’ a m boll d a A rose and g on the glassy w ve , And Nereus l ed them with his sounding shell

se a - Yea , the nymphs , their d ances weaving well , l n the green water gave them greeting free .

’ li n er d n A h , long light g , l ate the d ark ess fell ,

Cr a n a ; That n ight , upon the isl e of e H E L E N O F T R O Y

h is A nd Hymen shook fragran t torch on high ,

i a ll its of T ll waves smoke and tongues of flame ,

’ Like clouds ofrosy gold ful fill d the sky ,

A nd all the Nereids from t he waters came , Each maiden with a musical sweet name ,

A m hith oe Doris , and Doto , and p , An d their shrill brid al song oflov e and shame

Made music in t h e silence Ofthe se a .

F o r w a s of this like that night summer weather ,

When mortal men and maidens without fear ,

- - A nd forest nymphs , and forest gods together , D w O orship Pan in the long twilight clear .

A nd A rtemis this one n ight spares the deer ,

A nd every cave and dell , and every grove

l s glad with si ngin g soft an d happy cheer , \N w ith l aughter , and ith dalliance , and with love . H E L E N O F T R O Y

XXII

’ Now when t he gol den - thron ed Daw n a rose

To o u t of waken gods an d mortals sleep , ween Aphrodite sent t he wind that blows

From fairy gardens ofthe western deep .

i The sails are spread , the oars of Par s leap

Past many a headl and , many a haunted fane

An d , merrily all from isl e to isle they sweep

’ O er the w et ways across the barren plain .

XX III

By many an isl and fort , an d many a haven

They sped , and many a crowded arsen al They saw the loves of gods and m en engraven

’ Of On friezes Astarte s temple wall . They heard that ancient shepherd Proteus call

fl o le a H is ock from f rth the green an d tumbl ing , A nd saw white Thetis with her maidens all

Sweep up to high Olymp u s from the sea . H E L E N O F T R O Y

XX IV

sa w w They the vain and eary toil Of men ,

The ships that w i n the rich man all he craves ,

’ ’ a ss d - row d They p the red p ba rks Egyptian , A n d hea rd afa r the moaning of the slaves Pent in the da rk hot hold beneath the waves , And scathel ess the Shardana ’ s fl eets among

’ sa il d sow se a They by men that the with graves ,

Bea ring bl ack fate to fol k of al ien tongue .

Then all day long a roll ing cloud of smoke

\V ould - hang on the sea l imits , faint and far , B ut through the n ight the beacon - fl a m e upbroke From some rich isl and - tow n begirt with war , A nd all these things could neither make nor ma r

Th e o w joy of l vers andering , but they

Sped happil y , and heedless of t he star

’ That hung o er their glad haven , far away . 76 H E L E N O E T R O Y

XXV I

The fisher -sentinel upon the height

’ Wa tc h d m l the wit h vacant eyes , and ittle k new They bore the fate Of Troy , to him the bright

Plashed waters , with the silver shin ing through h W en tunny shoals came cruising in the bl ue , Was more than love that doth the worl d u n mak e , A n 'd l istless ga z ed he as the gulls that flew k ’ ’ d ’ A nd sh ri e d an d c h a tter in the vessel s wake .

XXVII

So the win d d rave them , and the waters bare

A cross the great green plain unharvested , Till through an after—glow they k new the fair

’ Of l d a Faint rose snow on distant s head . A nd swifter then the joyous oarsmen sped ,

w a s B ut night ended , and the waves were fire Beneath the fleet feet ofa dawning red

O r ere they won the l and Of their desire . H E L E N O F T R O Y

XXV III

N ow when t he fol k about t he haven knew

The scarlet prow Of Paris , swift they ran w And t he good ship ithin t he haven d rew ,

A nd merrily their welcoming began . B ut none the face OfH elen - dared to scan , fi Their bold eyes fell before they had their ll ,

’ F or all men deem d her that Idalian

Wh o loved A nchises on the lonely hill .

XX IX But when her sweet smile and her gentleness

won A nd her kind speech had them from dismay , They changed t heir minds and ’ gan the gods to bless W , h o brought to I lios that happy day .

a ll A nd the folk fair Helen must convey ,

’ C r ow n d b fl - l ike a ride , and clad with ame hued pall ,

-w a Through the rich plain , along the water y

Right to the great gat es ofthe Il ian wall . 78 H E L E N O F T R O Y

’ a ss d w A nd through t he vines they p , here old and young

H ad no more heed of the glad vintaging ,

’ B u t all u n plu c k d t he purple clusters hun o '

Of Nor more Linus did the m inst rel sing ,

For he and al l the fol k were followin g ,

’ \ -st a in d V ine and ga rlanded , in merry bands , w Like men hen Dionysus came as k ing ,

- An d l ed his revel from the sun burnt l ands ,

XXX I

S O from afar the music and the shout

’ R oll d up to I lios and the S c ze a n gate , A nd at t he soun d t he city fol k came o u t A nd bo re s w eet H elen —such a fa iry weight

’ As none might deem the burde n of Troy s fate

Of Across the threshol d the town , an d all

’ F loc k d w ith her , where King Priam sat in state ,

i l - h s n . G irt by elders , on t he l ia wall

8 O H E L E N O F T R O Y

XXXIV

to Then Paris had an easy tale tell ,

’ ’ won d r i n Which then might win upon men s g ears ,

’ h O de e m d to W that gods wit h mortals deign dwell , And that the water Of the west enspheres The happy Isles that know n ot death n or tears ,

do Yea , and though monsters these islands guard , Yet men within their coasts had dwelt for years

fo r . Uncounted , with a strange love reward

XXXV

A n d t here had Paris ventu red : so said he

’ ’ n H ad known the Sire s song , an d Circe s wile , A nd in a cove of that H esperian sea H ad found a maiden on a lonely isle ,

fi so m en A sacri ce , if might beguile

’ - w r h i The wrath ofsome beast god they o s pp d there . ’ fi B ut Paris , twixt the sea an d strait de le ,

H a n d w on f . ad slain the beast , the woman air H E L E N O F T R O Y 8 1

XXX V I

w \ ’ Then hile the happy people cried Vel l done ,

’ A nd Pria m s hea rt w a s melted by the tale For Paris was his best - beloved son w Came a ild woman , wit h wet eyes , and pale

’ loo k d Sad face , men on when she cast her veil ,

’ m a r k d Not gladly , an d none the thing she said , Yet could not ’ scape her long and bodin g wail ’ fl follow d fl . That still , however eet they ed

XXX VI I

’ She was the priestess of A pollo s fane ,

Cassan d ra , and t he god of prophecy

’ S p u r r d her to speak and rent her ! but in vain

’ toss d She her wasted arms against the sky ,

A nd brake her golden circlet angrily ,

’ A n d sh r ie k d that they had brought within t he

H elm a ser en t a t t/zeir bea r tr to li e , p

H elen a o ea /a kin a nd sta t e , fp y , g , 8 a H E L E N O F T R O Y

X XX V III

B ut e r et he G od had l eft her , ere she fell

’ foa m d o n A n d a mong her maidens ground , The air w a s ringin g with a merry swell

fl u Of ute , and pipe , a nd every sweetest so nd ,

’ I n A phrod ite s fane , and all a roun d

’ \Ve re roses toss d beneat h the dusky green

’ r wn d Of that high roof, an d H elen there was c o

of The god dess the Troj ans , and their q ueen . BO O K l V

H o w n w a s a a n o a b T o a n w o n a nd h o w Hele m de utc st y the r j m e , (E n o n old ov o f a n so n Co t o a s e , the l e P ris , se t her ry thus hi m her n a n d h o w a w n w n a n d of o f m esse ger , P ris sle hi m u itti gly ; the curses h Gi mm a n d o n o f A osr a a n T o . e , the c m i g the rgive g i st r y

B O O K l v

THE DEA TH OF CO R Y TH US

w a s O R long in Troia there peace and mirth , The pleasant hours stil l passing o n e by one ,

’ ’ o d A nd Helen j y at each fresh morning s birth ,

w of And al most ept at setting the sun , Fo r sorrow that the happy day w a s done

’ d re a m d w l Nor Of years hen she shou d hate light ,

fo r And mourn afresh every day begun ,

N r o fare abroad save shamefully by night . 8 6 H E L E N O F T R O Y

A nd Paris w a s not on e to backward cast ’ A fea rfu l n or of gl an ce , pl uck sou r fruits sin ,

z B ut still would sei e all pleasures whil e they l ast ,

Nor boded evil ere ill da y s begin .

Nay , nor lamented much when caught therein ,

I n i o each adventure always fi nd ng j y, A nd hopeful still through waves of w a r to w i n

B . y streng th of H ector, a nd the star Of Troy

N ow as the storms drive white sea -birds afar

to Within green upland glens seek for rest , So rum ours pale of an approaching w a r 7 “ere blown across the isl ands from the we s t

’ F or Agamemnon su m mon d all the best t Fron towns an d tribes he ruled , an d gave command That free men all should g a th e r a t his bes t

’

Through c oa sts a n d islets of the A rgive l and .

8 8 H E L E N O F T R O Y

now A nd , like swallows ere the winter weather ,

The women in shrill groups were gathering ,

With eager tongues still communing together , A nd many a taunt at Helen would t hey fling A y, through her in nocence she felt the sting ,

now A nd shamed was her gen tle face and sweet , For e ’ en the children evil songs would sing

To mock her as she hasted down the street .

’ A lso the men w h o w or sh ipp d her ofOld

A s she had been a goddess from above ,

G azed at her now with l ustful eyes and bold ,

’ ’ As she were nought but Paris l ight -O - love ,

A n d r o though in t uth they still were pr ud enough ,

Old se t Of that fair gem in their city , Yet well sh e k new that wanton word and scoff

\ - li w Ven t round the ca mp re hen the warriors met . H E L E N O F T R O Y 8 9

There came a certain hol iday when Troy

\ to Vas wont sen d her noble matrons all ,

Young wives and Old , with cla mour and with joy ,

To clothe Athene in her templ e hall ,

’ A nd robe her in a stately broide r d pall .

B ut now they d rove fair H elen from t heir t ra in ,

’ sc r e a m d th e Better they , to cast her from wall , Than mock the gods with O ffe rings in vain

o w a s One j y she had , that Paris yet true , A y, fickle Paris , true unto the end , A n d in the court of llios were two

to K ind hea rts , still eager Helen defend , A nd help and comfort in al l need to lend

The gentle H ector with soft speech and mild ,

Old A nd the k ing that ever was her friend ,

a s A nd loved her a father doth his child . 90 H E L E N O E T R O Y

n ot n ot These , though they k new all , these blamed her

But cast the heavy burden on the god ,

’ deem d Whose wrath , they , had verily waxed hot

A gainst the painful race on earth that trod .

’ A n d in god s hand w a s H elen but the rod

TO u s scourge a peopl e that , in nknown wi e ,

’ H ad v e x d the fa r Olympian abode

With r r s ec e t sin o stin ted sacrifice .

to The d ays grew into months , and months years ,

A nd still the A rgive army did del ay ,

Till fol k in Troia hal f forgot their fears , And al most as of old were glad an d gay , d An men and maids on Ida dared to stray ,

But H elen dwel t within her in most room , A nd there from dawning to decl ining day

\V rou g h t at the patient m a rvels Of her loom .

N F 9 2. H E L E O T R O Y

F o r elbow -deep their flowery bed was strown

’ With fragrant leaves an d with c r u sh d asphodel ,

- A n d sweetly still the shepherd pipe made moan , A nd many a tale of love they had to tell

H ow D aphnis loved the strange , shy maiden well ,

h ow h ow A nd she loved him not , and he died ,

’ - m oa n d And oa k trees his d irge , an d blossoms fell Like tea rs from l indens by the water -side !

H ’ B ut colder , eeter tha n the winter s wing ,

’ a ss d Ti me p , and Paris changed , and now more (E n one heard him on the mountain sing , i Not now sh e met him n the forest hoa r .

Nay , but she k new that on an alien shore A n al ien love he sought , yet was she stron g

’ w h o de e m d To l ive , that even as of yore

I n days to come might Paris love her long . H E L E N O F T R O Y 9;

F o r da rk G i n on e from her fat her d rew A pow er beyond all price , t he gift to deal

\ w n ow Vit h ounded men , though the d readful de w

Of deat h anoint them , and the secret seal O f fate be set o n t hem , these might she heal A nd t hus (E none trusted still to save

H er lover at the point of death , and steal

f . H is l i e from H elen , and the amorous grave

XVI I

o A nd she had b rne , though Paris k new it not ,

to . A child , fair Corythus , be her shame

A n d still she mused , whenas her heart was hot , H e hath no child by that A ch a ean dame

bo But when her y unto his manhood came ,

n one Then sorer yet CE did repine ,

to I lios A nd bade him fare , and claim ’ i ! Thy father s love , and all t hat should be th ne 94 H E L E N O F T R O Y

XVIII Therewith a golden bodkin from her hair

’ -t r ess d She d rew , a nd from a green birchen t ree

’ lu c k d S he p a strip Of smooth white bark and fair , e A nd many signs an d woful grav d she ,

A message of t he evil things to be .

- o Then deftly closed t he birch bark , fol d on f ld ,

s A n d bound t he tok en well an d cunn ingly ,

Th ree times and four times , w ith a t hread Of gold .

Give t hese to A rgive H elen ’ s hand she cried

no A n d so embraced he r child , and wit h fear

a - Behel d him le ping down the mountain side ,

’ to L ike a king s son that goes hunt the deer ,

Clad softly , and in eit her hand a spear ,.

’ \ two - follow d Vith swift footed houn ds that him ,

’ S O lea d be p down the grassy slopes and sheer ,

A nd won the precinct ofthe forest d im .

96 H E L E N O F T R O

XXI I

Now Paris was asleep upon h is bed , Tired with a l istless day , but all along

w a s The palace chambers Corythus l ed ,

An d still he heard a m usic , shrill an d stron g ,

’ se em d - That to clamour of a n Old world wrong, A nd hearts a long time broken , last they came

’ TO H elen s bower , the fountain of the song

That cried so loud against an ancient shame .

XX III

A nd H elen fared before a mighty loom ,

a n d A nd sang , cast her shuttl e w rought Of gold , A nd forth u nto the utmost secret room

’ The wave ofher wild melody w a s r oll d ,

’ ll fa sh ion d An d sti she marvels manifold ,

Strange shapes Of fish and serpent , bea r and swan ,

Of The loves Of the immortal god s Old ,

Wherefrom the peoples of the worl d began . H E L E N O F T R O Y 9 7

XXIV

Now H elen met t he stra nger graciousl y \ Vith gentle speech , and bade set fort h a chair Well wrought o fcedar wood and ivory

’ That wise I c m a li u s had fa sh ion d fair . B ut when young Corythus had d runk t he rare

i of W ne t he princes , and had broken bread ,

Then H elen took the word , and bade declare

H is instant tidings , and he spake , and said ,

Lady and ween , I have a secret word , And bea r a token sent to none but t hee , Also I bring a message to my lord

’ That spo ken to anot her may no t be . Then H elen gave a sign unto her three

- Bower maidens , and they went forth from that

Silent they went , and all forebodingly ,

They left t he man and woman face to face . 9 8 H E L E N O E T R O Y

Th en from h is brea s t t h e birchen scroll he too k A n d g a v e t o H elen , a n d sh e rea d t herei n

h u t a t on t h i d u t l o Oh t o h ose h den r nes dos o k ,

l th l t a l a n d th k i n T hy ord , y of y p ace , y

th l s h w Even as y ove fo rg e t t e ords he sf S 6

r n t n w a t t o win The st o g oa h broke on e ea k he r ,

Th e curse wherewith I cu r se thee till I di e ,

l a l u th a e l sss l Sh b rn y hateful be uty d ath e y , Nor sha ll god rais e up seed to t hee , but I

\V h o et ll ni tri c l for tim y sha make g ad , e goes by l An d soon sha l thi n e enchantm ents a ll be don e

I OO H E L E N O F T R O Y

Then instantly t he horror of her shame

on Fell her , an d she saw the coming years ,

’ Famine , an d fire , an d plague , and all men s blame ,

’ The wounds ofwarriors an d the women s fears ;

A n d through her heart her sorrow smote l ike spears , A nd i n her soul she kn ew the utmost smart

Of wives left lonely , sires bereaved , the tears

of Of maidens desolate , loves t hat part .

XXXI

’ She dr a i n d the d regs out of the cup of hate ,

The bitterness of sorrow , shame , and scorn ,

’ \Vh e r e e r the tongues of mortals curse their fate , She saw herself an outcast and forlorn ,

A n d hating sore the d ay that she was born , Down i n the dust sh e cast her gol den head 5

There with rent raiment and fair tresses torn ,

At feet ofCorythus she lay for d ead . H E L E N O F T R O [ C l

XXXI !

o w But Corythus , beh ld ing her s eet face ,

And her most lovel y body lying low ,

on H ad pity on her grief and her grace ,

’ Nor heeded now she was his mother s foe ,

woe B ut d id what might be done to ease her ,

While , as he thought , with death for l ife she strove ,

h er w And loosed the necklet round neck of sno ,

’ w a w d m d w h o s e e o flov e . As that had , ith hands

XXXIII

A nd there w a s one that sa w : for Paris woke Hal f-deeming and half- dreaming that the van

Of the great Argive host had scared the folk , An d down the echoing corridor he ra n

’ To H elen s bower , a nd there behel d the man

’ That kneel d beside his lady lying there

w s n No ord he spake , but d rove his sword a pa

“ ’ ’ Through ( o r yth u s fair neck a n d c lu ste r d hai r . H E L E N O F T R O Y

XXX I V

Then fell fair Corythus , as falls the tower

’ A n earthquake shaketh from a city s crown , O r as a tall White fragrant l ily -flow e r A chil d hath in the garden t rampled down ,

- O r as a pine tree i n the forest brown ,

’ ell d - on F by the sea rovers mountain l ands ,

to When they harry foreign fol k a re boune ,

Taking their own l ives in their reckless hands .

XXX V

But still in Paris did his anger burn ,

w a s A n d still his sword lifted up to sl ay ,

’ ’ lot le a d of ow n When , like a p forth fate s urn ,

’ m a rk d H e the graven tokens where they lay ,

’ ’ Mid H elen s hair in golden disarray ,

A nd looking on them , knew what he had done , K new what d ire thin g had fallen on that d ay

’ K new how a father s hand had sla in a son .

1 04 H E L E N O F T R O Y

XXXVIII

B ut slowl y Paris raised h im from the earth ,

A nd read her face , and k new that she k new all ,

N O or more her eyes , in tenderness m irth ,

Should answer his , in bower or in hall .

Nay , love had fallen when his chil d did fall ,

’ The stream love cannot cross ran twixt them red 5

’ N O w a s more Helen his , whate er befall ,

Not though the god dess d rove her to his bed .

XXX I X

on This word he spake , the fates are hard us Then bade the women do what must be done

To the fair body Of dead Corythus .

’ h u rl d And then he into the night alone ,

of son Wail ing unto the spirit his , That somewhere i n d ark mist an d sighing win d

nor to wo n Must d well , yet H ad es had it ,

Nor quite h a d l eft the world Ofmen behind . H E L E N O F T R O Y I O S'

But w ild (E n o ne by th e mountain -path S a w not her son returning to the w old

n ow w A nd was she in fear , and now in rat h

She cried , He hath forgot t he mountain fold , A nd go es in llios with a cro wn of gold But even then she hea rd men ’ s axes smite

- A gainst the beeches sl im and ash trees old , w These ancient t rees herein she did delight .

Then she arose and silently as Sleep ,

’ follow d - w Unseen she the slow roll ing ain , ’ w Beneath an ashen sky that gan to eep , TOO heavy l aden with the l atter ra in , A nd all the folk of Troy upon the pl ain

’ a t h e r d She found , all g round a funeral py re ,

And thereon lay her son , her darl ing slain , ’ ! The goodly Corythus , her heart s desi re 1 06 H E L E N O F T R O Y

X LI T

h e A mong the spices and fair robes l ay , i H s . arm beneath his head , as t hough he slept

F or n o so t he goddess wrought that decay , N O loathly thing about his body crept ,

’ lOOk d A nd all the people on him an d wept ,

- A nd , weeping , Paris l it the pine wood dry ,

A n d lo , a rainy wind arose an d swept

The flame a nd fragrance far into t he sky .

X Ll l l

fl w a s low But when the force of ame burning ,

Then did they drench the pyre with ruddy wine , And the white bones of Corythus bestow

Within a gol d cruse , wrought with many a sign ,

’ A n d w r a p p d the cruse about with l inen fine

: lo A n d bare it to the tomb when , , the wild

(E none sprang , with burn ing eyes d ivine ,

’ A nd sh r ie k d unto the slayer of her child

1 0 8 H E L E N O F T R O Y

XLVI

Then from the barrow and the burial , Back l ike a bursting torrent all men fled

to B ack the city an d the sacred wall .

n ot . But Paris stood , an d l ifted his head

’ A lone he stood , and brooded o e r the dead ,

a As broods a l ion , when a shaft h th flown , A nd through t he stron g heart ofhis mate hath w Then ill he face the hunters a ll alone .

XLVII

But soon the voice ofmen on the sea - san d

Came round him , and he turned , and gazed The A rgive ships were dashin g on the strand

bow Then stealthil y d id Paris bend his ,

ofwoe A nd on the string he l aid a shaft ,

’

a im d . A n d d rew it to t he point , and it well

Singing it sped , a nd through a shield d id go , ’ A nd from his barque l rote sila u s fell . H E L E N O F T R O Y 1 09

X LV l l l

o Half gladdened by t he men , through t he plain

\ to Vent Paris the walls and mighty gate , A nd little heeded he t hat arrowy rain w ’ The A rgive bowmen sh o er d in helpless hate .

’ fea th er d w a s Nay ; not yet the shaft of fate ,

o f H is ba ne , the gift mighty H eracles

To P hiloctetes , lying desolate , ” \V it h i n a far OH island of the seas .

BO O K V

THE \V A R

O R ten long years t he A rgive leaguer lay

’ Round Priam s fol k , and wrought them many woes ,

’ \V h ile a s c ro u c h d , a l ion above his prey , The Trojans yet made head against their foes , A nd as t he swift sea -wate r ebbs and flo w s

ofH ellé Between t he St raits and the main ,

so o f Eve n t he tide battle sank and rose , h ’ d w w And ll it h waifs o f a r the llia n pla i n. 1 1 4, H E L E N O F T R O Y

on w o n A n d horse horse was driven , as ave wave , L ike rain upon the deep the arrows fell ,

- A nd l ike the wind , the war cry Of the brave

’ R ou t l ang above the battle s ebb and swel ,

to A n d lon g t he tale Of slain , and sad tell ,

’ se e m d of Yet the en d scarce nearer than yore ,

’ When n ine years p a ss d and still the citadel

’ ’ Frown d on the A rgive huts beside the shore .

A nd still the watchers on t he city ’ s crown A far from sacred l lios might spy The flame from many a fallen subject town

of Fl are on the starry verges t he sky , A nd still from rich M acomia came the cry

’ ’ Of cities sa c k d where er A chilles led .

’ Yet none th e more men deem d the en d w a s

Whil e kn ightly Hector fought unvanq uished .

1 1 6 H E L E N O F T R O Y

But all day long within her bower she wept ,

’ r en own d of Still d reaming Of the dames Old , Whom hate o r love oft he Immortals swept Within the toils Of A t e manifold , An d most she loved t he ancient tales that told

’ H ow sti r r d t he great gods , at length to pity ,

Cha nged Niobe upon t he mountains cold ,

To a to i col d stone , a nd Procne a b rd ,

An d Myrrha to an incense - b re at hing tree , ’ C m u r m u r d A n d ah she , that the gods were

i on A nd bade the H arp es l ay their hands me , A n d bear me with the currents Of t he wind

To t he d im end Of all things , an d the bl ind L and where the Ocean turnet h in his bed

Then should I leave mine evil days behind , An d Sleep shoul d fol d his wings above my head H E L E N O F T R O Y 1 1 7

And o nce she heard a Trojan w oman bless

- The fair haired Menelaus , her good lord ,

not l As brave among brave men , merci ess ,

N ot to of swift slay the captives his sword ,

’ Nor wont was he to win the gol d a bh or r d

Of them that sell their captives over sea .

’ bless d A nd Helen sighed , and he r for that

’ ’ Yet w ill he ne er be merciful to me I

I n no w ise found she comfort , to abide

I lios w a s w w In to d ell ith shame and fear ,

A nd if unto the A rgive host she hied ,

Then should she die by him that w a s most dea r .

’ ll dr a d on w A nd sti the days gg it h bitter cheer ,

Till even the great gods had l ittle joy ,

So fast their child ren fell beneath the spear , w Below the ind y battlements of Troy . 1 1 8 H E L E N O F T R O Y

of o r Yet many a prince south l ands , Of east ,

’ For dark Cassand ra s love ca me trooping in ,

A nd P riam made them merry at the feast ,

’ d r d A n d all n ight long t hey ea m of wars to wi n .

’ h u rl d A nd with the morning into t he din ,

’ - A nd cried thei r lady s name for battle cry ,

’ A nd won no more than this for Pa ris sin ,

’ ’ By Diomede s or A ia s hand to die .

But for on e hour within the night Of woes

’ The hope ofTroy bu r n d steadfast as a star , \V l hen strife among the A rgive ords a rose , A nd d read Achilles held him from t he w a r ,

Yea , an d A pollo from his golden car

bow A n d silver his shafts of evil sped ,

’ w a s da rke n d A nd all the plain , near and far , ” With smoke above the pyres of heroes dead . n o H E L E N O F T R O Y

f But when A chilles saw the soaring la me ,

An d knew the ships in peril , suddenly A change upon his w rathful spirit ca me

’ Nor w il l d he that the D a n a a n s should die

’ c a ll d B ut his My rmidons , an d with a cry

’ follow d on - They where , l ike foam a sea wave

’ w a s Patrocl us crest d ancing white and high ,

A bove the tide that back the Tr oja n s d rave .

B ut l ike a rock amid the shifting sands ,

A n d changing springs , and tumult Of the deep ,

’ ’ Sa rpedon stood , till n eath Patrocl us hands , Smitten he fell then Death and gentle Sleep Bare h im from forth the battle to the steep

’ Where shi nes his castle o e r t he L ycian dell ,

There hath he burial d ue , while all fol k weep h Aroun d th e k indly prince that loved t em well . H E L E N O F T R O

N o t unavenged he fell , nor all alone

To H ades did his soul indignant fly , F o r soon w a s keen Patroclus overthrown

o od By H ect r , a nd t he g of archery ,

’ st r i d A nd Hector pp his shining panoply , i i ! Br ght a rms Ach lles lent ah naked then , f w Forget ul holl y Of his chival ry ,

no r Ofm e n . Patrocl us lay , hea rd the st rife

Then Hector from the w a r a l ittle space W w ’ ithdre , an d cl ad him in Achill es gear ,

’ o e r And braced the gleaming helmet his face ,

’ A nd g r a sp d the shield , but not the F el ian spear — H e w ow the lance that makes the boldest fear ,

o f An d home h is comrades bare his a rms gold , w Those P riam once had orn , his fathe r dea r ,

’ But in his fathe r s a rms he w axed not Old l I n H E L E N O F T R O Y

XVIII

’ Then roun d Patroclus body , l ike a tide That storms t he swollen outlet ofa stream

When the winds blow , and the rains fall , and wide

The river runs , an d white the breakers gleam Trojans and A rgives battled till the beam

to Of H elios was sinking the wave ,

’ And n ow they n ea r d the ships : yet few could d eem

That arms of A rgos might the body save .

B ut even then the tidi ngs sore were borne

To of great A chilles , Patrocl us dead ,

A nd all his goodly raiment hath he torn ,

A nd cast the dust upon his golden head ,

A nd many a tea r and bitter d id he shed .

ow n Ay , there by his sword had he been slain ,

- But swift his goddess mothe r, Thetis , sped

- Forth with her lovel y sea nymphs from the main .

1 1 + H E L E N O F T R O Y

XXII

’ u n a r m d Then all he sped , and through the throng ,

’ ’ a ss d to H e p the dyk e s ed ge , beyon d the wall ,

’ N or le a d of p the ranks fighting men among , B ut shouted clearer than the cl arion ’ s call

’ When foes on a bele a g u er d city fall .

Three t imes he cried , an d terror fel l on these

That heard him , and the Trojans , one and all , d l Fle from that shouting of A a c ides .

XXIII

’ w r eel d fl Back ard the Trojans in headlong ight ,

Chariots an d men , and left their bravest slain , A nd the sun fell , but Troy through a ll the night W ’ a tc h d by her fires upon the Il ian pl ain , F o r H ector did the sacre d walls disdain Of I lios , nor k new that he should stand

’ r etu r n d Ere n ight , and burial crave in vain ,

’ ’

U n a rm d . , forsaken , at A chilles hand ' H E L E N O F T R O Y 1 1 5

XXIV

B ut all that n ight w ithin his chamber high H eph aestus made his iron anvils ring ,

A nd , ere the dawn , had wrought a panoply ,

The goodliest ever worn by mortal k ing .

This to the A rgive camp d id Thetis bring ,

A nd when her child had proved it , l ike the sta r w That heralds day , he ent forth summoning

The host A cha ea n to del ight of wa r .

\ n d o n r as a m untai tor ent leaves its bed ,

A nd seaward sweeps t he toils Ofmen in spate ,

-fir e O r as a forest , t hat ove rhead

Burns in the boughs , a thing insatiate , So raged the fie rce A chilles in his hate , X A nd anthus , angry for his Trojans slain ,

B rake forth , while fire and win d made desolate

\V h a t war an d wave had spared upon t he plain . H E L E N O F T R O Y

XXVI

N OWthrough th e fume and vapour of the smoke

’ ’ n d Between the Wind s voice a the water s cry ,

The battl e shouting of the Trojans broke , A nd reached the Il ian walls confusedly ,

’ B ut over soon the folk that w a tc h d m ight spy fl Thin broken bands that ed , avoiding death ,

Yet many a man beneath the spear must die ,

Ere by the sacred gateway t hey drew breath .

XXVII A nd as when fire doth on a forest fall fl A n d hot winds bear it raging in its ight ,

’ r u i n d And beechen boughs , and pines are all ,

’ S O raged Achi ll es anger in that fight ,

A n d many an empty car , wit h none to smite

’ ’ m a dden d of The horses , o er the bridge war

’ Was wildly whirled , an d many a maid s delight

s That day to the red wolves w a dearer far .

H E L E N O F T R O Y

XXX

S O fo r twelve days rejoiced the A rgive host , A nd n ow Patroclus ba th to H ades w on ,

B ut Hector naked lay , an d still his ghost Must wail where waters Of Cocytus run ,

n o Till P ria m did what man born hat h done , \ Vho dared to pass among the A rgive bands ,

’ c la s d Of son A n d p the k nees him that slew his ,

’ ki d - A nd ss his terrible man slaying han ds .

XXXI

t such a price was H ector ’ s body sent

’ TO I lios w a il d , where the women him shrill A n d H elen ’ s sorrow brake into l ament

of As bursts a l ake the barriers a hill ,

F o r on e wh o lost , lost , lost was that friend still

Stood by her with k ind speech an d gentle heart ,

of The sword wa r , pure faith , an d steadfast will ,

That st rove to keep all evil things apart . H E L E N O F T R O Y 1 2 9

XXXII

And so men buried Hector . B ut they c ame , fi The A mazons , from frozen elds afar

fo r A match heroes in the d readful game ,

od The women da rlings Of the g of war , \V hose coming was to Priam dearer fa r

to h i m Than l ight that is a long while bl ind , \Vhen leech ’ s hand hath taen away the ba r

’ v e x d o r od That him , the heal ing g is kind ,

XXXIII

A nd Troy was glad , and wit h the morn ing l ight The A ma z ons went fort h to slay and slay , f A nd wond rously they drave the foe in light ,

’ Unt il the sun had w a n de r d half his way ,

’ B ut when he stOOp d to twil ight and the gray

Hour when men loose the steer beneat h t he yoke ,

N O more Achilles held him from t he fray ,

’ But d readful through the women s ran ks he broke . 1 30 H E L E N O F T R O Y

XXXI V

Then comes ecl ipse upon the crescent shiel d ,

A nd deat h on t hem t hat bear it , and they fall

on e One here , there , about the stricken field ,

oflove A s in that art , memorial ,

Which moulders on the holy Carian wall . A y, still we see , still love , still pity t here

- so od- The wa rrior maids , so brave , g l ike tall ,

’ In time s despite imp erishably fair .

X XXV

But , as a dove that braves a falcon , stood

Penthesilea , wrat h outcasting fea r ,

O r as a hind , t hat in t he darkling wood Withstan dsa l ion for her youngl ings dear ,

’ S O stood the girl before A chilles spear ,

In vain , for singing from his han d it sped ,

’ A n d c r a sh d through shiel d and breastpl ate till the shee r f l z el . Cold bron e d rank blood , an d down the queen dead

1 3; H E L E N O F T R O Y

XXXVIII

’ now w a x d Yea , fate hal f wea ry Of he r game , A nd had n o ca re but aye to k ill and k ill ,

to A nd many young kings the battle came ,

An d Of t hat joy they q uickl y had their fill , A nd last came Memnon : and the Trojans stil l

Took heart , like wearied ma riners that see

’ ’ (Long toss d on unknown waves at th e w inds will)

Through clouds the gleaming crest ofH eliké .

XXXIX

For Memnon was the chil d Of the bright dawn ,

A goddess wedded to a mortal king , \V h o d wells for ever on t he shores withd rawn That border on the land o fsun - rising , A n d he w a s n u rt ured n igh t he sacred spring

o That is t he hidden f untain of all seas , l ’ y t hem t hat in the gods own garden sing ,

’ - d The l ily maidens c a ll H esperides . H E L E N o r T R O Y 1 3;

But him the chil d o fThetis in the fight

\ o n w w w i let a indy inter day , hen high

’ w a s w w ra d The d ust hirled , and pp t hem l ike That falleth on the mountains stealthil y

t h e flo w ods come , and do n their courses

n li h tm n fl a s h c th ! The torre ts roar , and g g far

S o so rang , shone thei r harness terribly

- Beneath the bl inding thunder cl o ud of w a r .

’ w s h u dde r d o n Then the d a n her golden throne ,

o th e w w A nd called unt west ind , an d he ble An d brake the cl o ud asunder , and alone

l o o no o Achi les st d , but Mem n , smitten thr ugh , Lay beautiful amid th e d readful dew

w a s Of battle , and a deathless heart fain

o Of tea rs , to gods imp ssible , that d rew

From mortal hearts a l ittle of their pain . H E L E N O F T R O Y

XLII

n ow i f B ut , their leader sla n , the Trojans led ,

A nd fierce A chill es drove them in his hate ,

Avenging stil l his dea r Patroclus dead , Nor k new the hour with his own doom w a s

Nor trembled , standing in the Scaean gate , \V h ere ancient prophecy foretol d his fal l ,

Then suddenly there sped the bolt of fate , A nd smote Achilles by the Ilian wall ‘

XLIII

’ bo w From Paris it sped , and even there ,

’ r a s d Of Even as he g p the skirts victory , h A chilles fell , nor a ny man mig t dare From forth the Trojan gateway to d raw

B ut , as the wood men watch a l ion d ie , W ’ Pierced ith the hunter s a rrow , nor come nea r

’ v eil d Till death hath his eyel ids utterl y ,

Even so the Trojans hel d aloof in fear .

H E L E N O F T R O Y

X LV I

Now Paris w a s not sated with the fame A nd rich reward Troy gave his archery ,

’ B u t o er t he win e he boasted that the game

’ deem d w i n or That very n ight he to , die , For scarce their watch the tempest will defy

’ a ll u n dr e a m d H e said , and of might we go ,

fa A nd ll upon the A rgives where they l ie ,

e n Uns e , un heard , amid the silent snow

X LV II

’ flu sh d So , with wine , and cl ad in raiment white

’ follow d A bove their mail , the young men him ,

- i Thei r guide a fading camp f re in the n ight ,

’ A nd the sea s moaning in t he d istance dim ,

And still with eddying snow the air d id swim ,

A nd darkly d id they wend they k new not where ,

\V h ite : i n that cursed night an army grim ,

’ ’ Wilder d with wine , and blind with whirl ing H E L E N O F T R O Y 1 37

X LVII I

w a s There an outcast in the A rgive host , il w ’ One P h octetes , hom Odysseus wile ,

’ h el d a ll w a s (For , save he p , the Leaguer lost ,) w Dre from his la ir w ithin the Lemn ian isle . l B ut him the people , as a leper vi e ,

to H ated , and d rave a lone hut afar ,

w a s w For wounded sore he , and many a hile H i s cries woul d wake the host foredone with war .

XLIX

N ow P hiloctetes wa s an archer Wight ,

h e little B ut in his q uive r had , store

’ ’ w ti d z fe a th e r d Of arro s pp with bron e , an d bright ,

’ h is w w Nay , ere bl ue ith mould , and fretted o e r

\ s ell Of Vith many a p Melampus wrought yore , Singing above hi s task a song ofbane

’ ’ v e nom d A nd they were with the Centaur s gore ,

’ ti d of A nd pp wit h bones men a lon g while sl ain . H E L E N O F T R O Y

This wretch for very pain might seldom sleep , A n d that night sl ept not : in t he moan ing blast

’ de e m d H e the dead about his hut d id creep ,

' A nd silently he rose , and round him cast

’ a ss d H is raiment foul , and from the door he p ,

’ A nd peer d into the night , and soothly heard

’ ’ A w h isp e r d voice , t hen g ripp d his arrows fast s An d trung his bow , and cried a bitter word

A rt thou a gibbering ghost with war outworn , A n d thy faint l ife in H ades not begun ?

h oldst Art thou a man that my grief in scorn ,

A n d th e su n ? yet dost l ive , an d look upon I f — man methinks thy pl easant days are done , A nd thou shalt writhe in torment worse than mine ,

I f — won ghost new pain in H ades hast thou ,

’ A nd there with double woe shal t surel y pine .

1 4 0 H E L E N O F T R O Y

A n d through the gate , and through the sil ent street ,

’ w d re a m d w a r A nd houses here men of no more ,

’ w a nder d The bearers with their weary feet ,

’ - A nd Paris to his high roofd house they bore .

B ut vainly leeches on his wound did pore ,

’ An d vain was A rgive Helen s magic song ,

h l n h e r A h , vain he r ea i g hands , and all lore ,

To hel p th e life that wro ught her endl ess wrong .

’ ’ a ss d th e fev c r d Slow p hours , until the gray

n o Cold l ight was pal ing , and a sulle gl w

’ c ro w n d Ofliv id yellow the dy ing d ay ,

And brooded o n the w astes of m o urnful snow .

’ w h i s e r d o Then Paris p faintly , I must g A n d face that wild wood - maiden Ofthe hill For none but she can w i n from overthrow

’

. Troy s l ife , and m in e that gua rds it , if she will H E L E N O F T R O Y

S O through the d umb white meadows , deep wit h snow , They bore him on a pallet shroud ed white ,

’ And sore they d readed lest an a m bu sh d foe

o r Should hea r him moan , mark t he moving l ight That waved before their footsteps in the night ,

’ ’ o d w A n d much t hey j y hen Ida s knees were won ,

’ A nd neath the pines upon an upl an d height , w ’ h They a tc h d the sta r that e r a ldeth the sun .

F or under woven branches Of the pine ,

The soft d ry needles l ike a ca rpet spread , A nd high above t he a rching boughs d id shine

o fs ilve r In frosty fret , that the red N e w dawn fi red int o gold - work o verhead : \V it h in that vale w here Pa ris oft had been \ ( fl Vith fair E none , ere t he hills he ed

T o be the sinful lover of a queen . 1 4 2 H E L E N O F T R O Y

LV III

’ N ot (E : n ot here they found none Nay , here ,

Said Paris , faint an d low , shall she be found ,

Nay , bea r me up the mountain , where the d rea r

Wi u ds walk for ever on a haunted ground . Meth inks I hea r he r sighing in t heir sound ,

O r some god calls me t here , a dy ing man .

' Perchance my latest journeyin g is bou n d k ’ B ac where t he sorrow of my l ife began .

’ They r ea c h d the gateway of t hat highest glen

’ w on d r i n A n d halted , g what the end should be ,

’ w h is e r d But Paris p H elen , while his men

Fell back H ere j udged I gods , he re shalt t hou see

What j udgement mine old love will pass on me .

B ut hide thee here , thou soon the en d shalt k now , \Vh eth er the gods at lengt h will set thee free

’ a o From that ol d net they wove so lon g g .

1 4 4 H E L E N O F T R O Y

e : a o B ut Paris spake to H el n Long g ,

w e wh o Dear , were glad , n ever more shall be

Toget her , where the west winds fainter blow R ound t hat Elysian islan d of t he sea ,

\V h er e Zeus from evil d ays shall set t hee free .

m e Nay , kiss once , it is a weary while ,

on Ten weary years since thou hast smiled me ,

- B ut,H elen , say good bye , with thine old smile

LXIII A n d as the dying sunset through the rain

\ fl u sh m Vill with rosy glow a ountain height ,

Even so , at his l ast sm ile , a bl ush again

’ ’ P a ss d n w ove r Helen s face , so cha ged and hite ,

A n d through her tears she smiled , his l ast del ight ,

for The last of pleasant l ife he knew , gray

’ a th e r d The veil of darkness g , an d the night

’ ’

a ss d . Closed o e r his head , an d Paris p away H E L E N O F T R O Y

Lx l V

’ for on e r e - Then hour in Helen s heart born ,

ofold A woke the fatal love that was ,

E re she knew all , and the cold cheeks outworn ,

’ ‘ ’ kiss d k iss d of She , she the hair wasted gold ,

’ The hands that ne e r her body shoul d enfold ,

’ follo w d Then slow she where the bea rers led ,

’ F ollo w d dead Paris through the frozen wold ’ d Back to the town whe re all men w ish her dead .

I not ! Perchance it was a sin , k now , this

’ ’ Howe e r it be , she had a woman s hea rt ,

no t A nd without a tea r , without a kiss ,

\Nith ou t old some st range new birth of the sma rt , From her old love o fthe brief days coul d part

’ F or ever , though the dead meet , n e e r shall they M ’ eet , and be glad by Aphrodite s a rt , w ’ \V h ose souls have a n de r d e a ch its several way . H E L E N O F T R O Y

LXVI

A n d n ow was come the day when on a p yre

’ broider d Men laid fair P aris , in a pall

A nd fragrant Spices cast into the fire ,

” A nd roun d the fla me slew many a n A rgive thrall .

\t en , l ike a ghost , there came among them all ,

of A woman , once beheld by them yore , \Vhen first through storm an d driving rain

’ k of da sh d Blac ships A rgos upon the shore .

LXVII

Not now in wrath (E none came , but fair L ike a young bride when n igh her bl iss she knows A nd i n the soft night of her fallen hair f l ’ Shone lowers l ike stars , more white than da s snows

of A nd scarce men dared to look on her , those

The py re that guarded , suddenl y she came ,

A n d sprang upon the pyre , and shrill arose

fl . Her song of death , l ike incense th rough the ame

B OO K VI

T a k o fT o a nd h o w M n a w o d a v o n n b he s c r y , e el us ul h e let st e Hele , ut

A od a d a nd a a t o ne a a n a n d h o w h a phr ite s ve her , m de the m g i , t ey c m e f n n o t o La c edat m o n a nd o a a o t o . h m e , their tr sl ti El ysiu m

m H E L E N O F T R O Y

S O for a space the watchers on the wall

’ w on d ri n . Were silent , g what these things might mean

But , at the l ast , sen t messengers to call

P riam , and all the elders , and the lean

Remnant of goodly chiefs , that once had been

l OfI lios The shie d and stay , an d her joy ,

’ des a i r d Nor yet p , but trusted gods unseen

A n d cast their spears , an d shed their blood for Troy .

q th e m or e Old They came , part gray , grown early , In w a r an d plague , but with them w a s the young

o Cor ebus , that but l ate had l eft the fol d

floc ks ae n A nd of sheep M onian hills a mo g ,

h is lot w f A nd valiantly ith P riam lung , For love of a lost cause and a fai r face

Of The eyes the god Pytho once had sung ,

’ n w d - That o loo k darkly to the sl aughter place . H E L E N O F T R O Y m ;

N o w w il h e the elders kept their long debate ,

Co r te bu s stole un heeded to his band , A nd le d a hand ful by a postern gate A cross the plain , across the barren l an d Where once the happy vines were wont to stand A nd ’ mid the clusters once did maidens sing

now w a s B ut the plain waste on every hand ,

Though here and there a flow e r would breathe of spring .

8 0 sw ift across the trampled battle - field i Unchallenged st ll , but wary , d id they pass ,

’ B y many a broken spear or sh a tte r d shiel d

’ That i n fate s ho ur appointed faithl ess w a s Only the hero n cried from the morass X ’ By anthus side , and ravens , and the gray

\ o V lves left their feasting in the tangled grass ,

’ lo ite r d fl e d . G rudging , and , nor far away 1 5+ H E L E N O F T R O Y

’ lu r k d - There no spears in the high river banks , No ambush by the cairns ofmen out w orn ,

B ut empty stood the huts , in d ismal ran ks , Where men thro ugh a ll these many years h a d borne

’ F th e n ierce summe r , and biting wi ter s scorn ,

w a s bo w A nd he re a sword left , and there a ,

’ see m d B ut ruinous all things and forlorn ,

As in some c a mp forsaken long ago .

c r e t e a t Gorged wolves p round the altars , an d did Th e flesh of vict im s that the priests had slain , [\ n d wild dogs f ough t abo ve th e sacred meat

’ o fler d Late to the deathless gods in vain ,

Of By men that , for reward all their pain ,

Must haul the ropes , and weary at the oar ,

Or , d rown in g , cl utch at foam amid the main ,

w i n n Nor their have on the A rgive shore . m. H E L E N O F T R O Y

’ w a n de r d w Now while they as they ould , they found

’ w : o f A ondrous thing a m arvel man s skill ,

o f That stood within a v ale hollow ground ,

’ A nd bu lk d scarce smaller than the bitter hil l

- The comm o n barro w that the dead men ti ll “

\V h o th e no t d ied in lon g leaguer of earth ,

o f Was this new portent , but t ree , and still

’ ’

o o m a r vell d . The Troj ans st d , and mid their mirth

’ A w o n de r d n y , much they what this thi g might be , Shaped l ike a horse it w a s , an d man y a stain

’ There show d upon the mighty beams of tree .

’ m i li bla c ke n d n For so e W th re were , some with rai w Were dank an d d ark amid hite pl anks of pl ane , N e w c u t among the t rees t hat now were few

w z On asted Id a , but men ga ed in vain , t Nor tru h thereof for al l their searching k new . H E L E N O F T R O Y i g a

’ d ee m d At length they it was a sacred thing ,

’ Vo w d to Poseidon , monarch of the deep ,

’ A nd that herewith the A rgives p r a y d t he king Of wind and wave to l ull the seas to sleep , w So this , they cried , ithin the sacred keep

Of Troy must rest , memorial of the war ,

A nd sturdily they hal ed it up the steep ,

’ d r a d A nd gg t he monster to their walls afar .

’ A ll day they wrought a nd child ren c row n d with flowers Laid l ight hands on the ropes , Old men would ply Their feeble force , so through the merry hours

’ t o il d They , midst l aughter and sweet minstrelsy , A nd late they d rew the great horse to the high

of l Crest the hi l , and wide the tall gates swang ,

a ll B ut t hrice , for t heir force , it stood thereby

Unmoved , and thrice l ike smitten a rmour rang . 1 5 8 H E L E N O F T R O Y

Natheless t hey wrought t heir will , t hen alta r fi res

The Trojans built , and d id the gods implore

To grant fulfilment of all gl ad desires .

B ut from the cups the wine they m ight not pour ,

flesh The upon the Spits d id writhe an d roa r ,

The smoke grew red as blood , and many a l imb

’ lea d fl Of vict ims p upon the temple oor ,

T r embli n 0 g and groans amid the chapels dim

’ Rang low , and from the fair gods images

’ d r o d A nd from their eyes , pp sweat and many a tea r ;

w o n The wall s wit h blood ere d ripping, and t hese fi That sacri ced , came horror and great fear , The hol y laurels to A pollo dea r

Beside his templ e faded suddenly , i A n d wil d wolves from the mounta ns d rew anear ,

’ A nd ravens th rough the temples see m d to fly .

1 60 H E L E N O F T R O Y

XVIII

Then , l ike a raven on t he wind of night ,

Hitted The wild Cassand ra far and near , — i Still crying , G ather gather for the l ght ,

A n d brace the hel met on , an d grasp the spear , I ’ For lo , the l egions of the n ight are here

’ sh r i ek d So the d readful prophetess d ivine .

’ B u t m oc k d all men , an d were of merry cheer ,

’ ’ dee m d Safe as the gods t hey them , o er their win e .

For now with minst relsy the air was sweet , S The soft pring air , a nd thick with incense smoke , And bands of happy dancers dow n t he street

’ ’ H -c ro wn d wh e el d Fl ew from the ower doors , a nd , an d broke

An d loving words the youths and maidens spoke ,

F o r A phrodite d id their hearts beguile , A s when ben eat h gray c a vern or green o a k

The shepherd men and maidens meet and smil e . H E L E N O F T R O Y 1 6 1

How many a strength hath fallen since thy fall ,

A h , Troy yet still must men remember thee ,

’ ’ o er Though none doth weep Corint h s funeral ,

N or b Carthage left forsaken y t he sea ,

no r ! O rchomenos , Thebes , nor Nineveh

not All these have been and a re , but the fate

wa s h ow Of Troy , t hat never , wondrously ' It moves o u r hearts in these swift years and late

A castle b uilt in cloud -land , or at most

- on A crumbl ing cl ay fort a wind y hill , f Where needy men m ight lee a robber host ,

w a s ! This , this Troy and yet she holds us still ,

A nd I that rhyme , right sore against my will

of A nd l ingering long before the words woe , This ending ofmy task must I fulfil

’ A n d tell the tale ofI lios overthrow . 1 62. H E L E N O F T R O Y

XXI I

No guard men set , for t ruly to them all D id love and sl umber seem exceeding good ,

w a s n o n or There watch by Open gate wall ,

’ N O sentinel by Pallas image stood ,

u B ut silence grew , as in an aut m n wood

’ v ex d When tempests d ie , and the boughs have ease ,

A n d wind and sunlight fade , an d soft the mood

Of sacred twilight falls upon t he trees .

XXIII

’ c ross d Then the stars the zenith , and t here came

On Troy t hat hour when slumber is most deep ,

’ But any man that w a tc h d had seen a flame Spring from the tall crest ofthe Trojan keep , While from the belly ofthe horse did leap

’ Men arm d , and to the gates went stealthily , While up the rocky w a y to I lios creep

’ r t r d e u n . The A rgives , new across the sea

1 6 4. H E L E N O F T R O

XXVI

of Then Helen rose , a nd in a cloud gold ,

of fi Unseen amid t he vapour t he re ,

Did Aphrodite veil her , fol d on fold ,

A n d t hrough the dark ness , t hronged wit h faces

’ ’ A nd o e r men s bodies fall en in a m ire

n ew o O f spilt blood and wine , t he twain d id g h W ere l ust and hate were mingled in desire ,

n w A n d d reams and d eath were blended in o e oe .

XXVI I

Fire an d the foe were masters now : t he sky

of ofa ll Fl ared l ike t he dawn that last day , \ Vhen men for pity to the sea shall cry , A n d vainly on the mountain tops shall call To fa ll an d en d the horror i n t heir fall , o A n d t hr ugh the vapour d readful things saw they ,

The maidens leaping from the city wall ,

’ The sleeping child ren m u r der d where they lay . H E L E N O F T R O Y 1 6

XXVII I

h ell Yea , cries l ike those that make the hills of

re - R ing and echo , sounded through the n ight ,

of The screams burning horses , and t he yell li h t Of young me n leaping naked into g ,

’ sh r ie k d fl And shrill the women , as in their ight

th e w s Shriek wil d cra nes , hen overhead they py Bet w een the dusky cloud -land a nd the bright

sk . Blue air , an eagl e stooping from the y

XX IX

A nd now the red gl are ofthe burning shone O n deeds so dire the pure gods might not

a S ve A res only , long to look the reon ,

’ w da rke n d a ll B ut ith a cloud they the ai r .

A nd , even then , within the temple fair

Of chaste Athen e , d id Cassand ra cower , And cried aloud an unavail ing praye r ,

s w a s a For A ia the m ster in that hour . 1 66 H E L E N O F T R O Y

XXX

’ ’ Man s l ust w on what a god s lov e might not wi n ,

A n d heroes trembl ed , a nd the temple floor

on e Shook , when cry went up into the din , A nd shamed the n ight to sil en ce , then the roar

’ w a r w a x d Of an d fire great as heretofore ,

a n d Till each roof fell , every palace gate

’ ’ \V sh a tte r d as , and the king s blood shed , nor more

’ R emain d to do , for Troy was desolate .

XXX I

to of Then dawn d rew near , and changed clouds rose

’ The d read ful smoke that clun g to Id a s head ,

I lios w a s B ut ashes , and the foes

’ H ad left the embers an d t he plu n de r d dead ,

And down the steep they d rove the prey , and sped

Back to the swift ships , with a captive train

While Menel aus , slow , with d rooping head ,

’

F ollow d . , l ik e one lamenting , through the pl ain

1 68 H E L E N O F T R O Y

XXXIV So wounded to his h ut and wearily

’ Came Memel a us an d he how d h is head Beneath the l intel neither fair n or high ,

A n d 10 ! ( e m la , g H elen y upon his bed ,

’ Flu sh d i - l ike a ch l d in sleep , and rosy red , il An d at his footstep did she wake an d sm e ,

A n d : spake My lord , how hath thy hunting Methinks that I have slept a weary whil e I

XXXV For A phrodite made the past unk nown

To old Helen , as of , when in the dew Of that fair d awn the net w a s roun d her thrown

Nay , now no memory of Troy brake through

’ The mist that veil d from her sweet eyes and bl ue

- The dreadful d ays and deeds all over past ,

A n d gl adl y d id she greet her lord anew ,

A n d gl adl y would her arms have roun d him cast . H E L E N O F T R O Y 1 69

XXXVI

’ le a d sh e n Then p up i terror , for he stood

of w Before he r , l ike a l ion the ild ,

’ H is be sta in d rusted a rmour all with blood , fi H is mighty hands with blood of men de led ,

sh e sa w : i A nd strange was all the spears , the p led

’ Ra w skins ofsla u g h te r d beasts with many a stain ,

low A nd he spake , an d bitterly he smiled , i ’ ’ s . The hunt ended , and the spoil is ta en

XXXV ”

’ N o more he spak e , for certainly he de em d

to That A phrod ite brought her that pl ace ,

’ A nd that of her loved a rcher Helen d rea m d Of Paris , at that thought the mood of grace h im Died in , and he hated her fair face ,

o A nd b und her hard , not sl ack ing for her tears ,

fo r Then silently departed a space ,

To seek the ruthless counsel ofhi s peers . 1 70 H E L E N O F T R O Y

XXXVI II

Now all the k ings were feasting in much joy ,

’ Seated or c ou c h d upon the carpets fair That late had strown the pal ace floors ofTroy

A nd lovely Trojan ladies served them there , A n d meat from oH the spits young princes bare ,

B ut Menel aus burst among them all ,

’ Strange mid their revelry , and did not spare ,

’ B ut bade the k ings a sudden council call .

X XXIX

To ma r their feast the k ings had l ittle will ,

Yet did they as he bade , in grudging wise ,

’ A nd heralds c a ll d the host unto the h ill

’ H e a d of I lu s . p sharp stones , where ancient l ies

’ ’ Hoc k d a s th ron d a s flies A nd forth the people , g

- i That buzz about the m il king pails in spr ng ,

When l ife awakens under April skies ,

A nd birds from d awn ing into twil ight sing .

1 7a. H E L E N O F T R O Y

X LII

Then Menelaus to the peopl e spoke ,

’ wi n d A n d swift his g words came as whirling snow ,

Oh ye that overlong have borne the yoke , Behol d t he very fountai n Of your w oe

a o For her ye left your dear homes long g , On A rgive valley or Boeotian pl ain ,

B u t o now the bl ack ships rot fr m stern to prow , \V h > ok nows if ye shall see your own again .

XLIII

A w in fi y , and if home ye , ye yet may nd , i Ye that the W nds waft , and t he waters bear To A rgos ! ye are q uite gone out of mind ,

’ dish onou r d Your fathers , dear and old , there ,

not s Your child ren deem you d ead , and will hare

w o r Their lan ds ith you , on mainlan d on isle , f Strange men are wooing now the women a ir ,

’ A nd love doth lightly woman s heart beguile . H E L E N O F T R O Y 1 73

XL IV

These sorrows hat h this woman w rought alone

S o fall upon her straightway t hat she d ie , A nd clothe he r beauty in a cloak ofstone l

’ d ee m d to He spak e , and t ruly hear her cry A nd see t he sharp Hints straight and d eadly fly

’ m a n o on But each sto d and mused H elen s face ,

’ u ndr ea m d -of so A nd her beauty , brought nigh

’

r u in d . On t hat bleak plain , within that pl ace

a s OH! to A nd in far days that were be ,

of ow n The sense t heir sin d id men constrain , Th a t they must l eave the sinful woman free

’ \K h o la w , by t heir , had verily been slain ,

’ SO H elen s beauty made t heir anger vain ,

’ A nd on e by o ne his g a t h e r d fl ints let fall ,

A nd l ike men shamed they stole across the plain ,

Back to the swift ships and t heir festival . H E L E N O F T R O Y

X LV I

’ look d B ut Menel aus on her and sa id , ’ — H ath no man then c on de m n d thee is there none

for To shed thy blood all that thou hast shed , To wreak on thee the wrongs that thou h ast done 9

i o w n Nay , as m ne soul l iveth , there is one

not That will set t hy barren beauty free , B ut sl ay thee to Poseidon and the sun Before a ship A chaian takes the sea ! ’

XLV I I Therewith he d rew his sharp sword from his

a : A s one intent to sl y her but behold , A sudden marvel shon e across t he sky !

fi o f A flood of rosy re , a cloud gold , A nd A phrod ite came from f orth the f ol d

n Of wo d rous mist , and sudden at her feet Lotus and crocus on t he t rampled wold

Brake , and the slender hyacinth was sweet .

1 76 E L E N O F T R O Y

- Noon long was over past , but sacred n ight Behel d them not upon the Ilian shore ,

for of Nay , about the wanin g the light

’ wa n der d on Their swift ships t he waters hoar ,

’ N or sta d to y they the Olympians adore ,

So eagerly they left t hat cursed l and ,

B ut many a toil , and tempests great and sore ,

Befell them e re they won the A rgive strand .

To Cyprus and Ph oen icia wandering

They came , and many a ship , and many a man

’ eri sh d They lost , and p many a precious thing \V h ile bare before the stormy north t hey ran , A nd further far than when thei r quest began — From A rgos d id they seem a weary while

’ Bec a lm d in sultry seas Egyptian ,

’ A long day s voyage from the mouths ofNile . H E L E N o r T R O Y 1 77

o n But there t he gods had pity them , and there The ancient Proteus t aught them how to flee From that so d istant deep —t he fowls of a ir Scarce in one year can measure out that sea

fi t u s Yet rst within n yp must t hey be ,

And hecatombs must offer—~ q uickly then

The gods abated of their jealousy ,

\V h e r ew ith they scourge the negl igence of men .

fl A n d st rong and fair the south wind blew , and eet

o fled Their v yaging , so merrily they To win that haven where the waters sweet Of clear Eurotas with the brine are wed , A nd swift t heir chariots and their horses sped

To a pleasant Laced emon , lying low G ray in the shade of sunset , but t he head fi Of tall Ta yg et u s l ike re d id glow . 1 78 H E L E N O F T R O Y

And what but this is sweet : at last to wi n

of The fiel ds home , t hat change not while we change TO hear the birds their ancient song begin , To wander by the well -loved st ream s t hat range 7 “ n ot on e on e - here pool , moss clad stone is st range ,

Nor seem we Older than lon g years ago , Though now beneath the gray roof of t he grange The child ren d well of them we used to know 3

LV Came there no t rouble in t he later days

To mar t he l ife of Hel en , when the old

’ er i sh d C rowns and domin ions p , and the blaze

’ L it by return i ng H eracl id a e r oll d Through every val e and every happy fold ? Of all the A rgive l and Nay , peacefully Did Menel aus and the CQeen behol d

The counted years of mortal l ife go by .

1 8 0 H E L E N O F T R O Y

’ ’ O 9 1 H elmz r sla r 1 11 e 0 1 1 1 5 ; 1 1 1 ow m ”r em g g ,

’ 1 11 dew /1 1 1 1? Tbem p fl a ; 770778 t/a e ler s

‘ H er r -w eez fa re 71 0-w 1 1 71 1171 1 1 1 5 1711 11

’ A éi a er r m éol O a ll lov e/511 65 5 y f ,

' OfB ea u ty ew r r tm fl ler r str ess

O w a r r i n lu st; a m t/ ea r s 1 1 11 1! 5 1 1 1/ f g f , S i ill r em /y w it/7 im m or ta l p ea ce 1 0

' T/N ’ m w il l? p u r e la c /1 1 1 ; w a r s/nip 1 1 ! la m N O T E I n S o i n o f fo n o f n no t u h - o [ this t ry rh y m e the rtu es Hele , the H m eric

s a n n n v o f d h n d the o ry th a t she w a u w ill i g icti m the g o s a s bee preferre .

T a i a o b w A o a t o 1 1 1 03 o f o he m g c l m eth d y hich phr dite le ds her , is , c urse ,

n o f n f n a n u n supp o rted i n v e n ti o n . M a y the descripti o s o m a n ers a r e v e r

a n n s ifi ed fro m the Ili a d a n d the Ody ssey . The ccou t ofthe e v e ts a fter d a o fH o a n d of a k ofT o i fl o o w d fo the e th ect r , the s c r y , is ch e y b rr e r m

i ii tu s S ni r n a u s o S i n a n d a o n n n ow n t o Qj y . S m e gul r lege s b ut Hele , u k ’ ’ a u t h o r w h en w n a a n a dd d fo E n elm a n n s the riti g the t le , h ve bee e , r m g ’ ess a y i n R ossc h e r s n e w Lex ikon j

1 3+ H E L E N o r T R O Y

li or t he I an walls , repeated her l ament over the dead body l of H ector . The Homeric poems a re our o dest literary u doc ments about Helen , but it is probable enough that the poet has modified and purified more ancient t raditions which still survive i n va rious fragments ofG re ek legend .

In Homer Helen is always the daughter ofZeus . Isocrates tells us Helen a I b) that while many ofthe demi

of gods were children Zeus , he thought the paternity of

of none of his daughters worth claiming , save that H elen

m of only I n Ho er , t hen , H elen is t he daughter Zeus , but Homer says nothing ofthe famous legen d which makes Zeus assume the form of a swan to woo the

- . Un i m w e mother of H elen Homeric as th s yth is , may

regard it as extremely an cient . Very simila r tales of

pursuit and metamorphosis , for amatory or other l purposes , occur among the ol d egends of Wales , an d in the A rabian Nights as well as in the myths of

. t A ustralians and R ed Indians Again , the belief tha iff i d e ren t fam l ies of mank ind descend from animals , as

from the swan , or from gods in the shape of an imals , is

n found in every q uarter of the worl d , an d amo g the

- rudest races . Many A ustral ian natives ofto day cl aim

t he . descent , l ike the royal house of Sparta , from swan The G reek myths hesitated as to whether Nemesis o r

L eda wa s the bride ofthe swan . Homer onl y mentions Leda among ‘ the wives and daughters of the mighty men whose ghosts Odysseus beheld in H ades : A n d I N O T E 1 8 g

- of w h o saw L eda , the famous bed fellow Tyndareus ,

to of bare Tyndareus two sons , hardy heart , Castor ,

’ of tamer steeds , and the boxer Polydeuces These heroes H elen , in the Iliad (iii . describes as he r

’

. u mother s sons Th s , if Homer has any distinct view on the subject , he holds that Leda is the mother of

of . Hel en by Zeus , the D ioscuri by Tyndareus G reek sentiment as to the cha racte r ofH elen varied

’ with the va rious moods ofG reek l iterature . Homer s ow n ideas about his heroine are probably best expressed in the words with which Priam greets her as she appears

w h o among the assembled elders , are watching the A rgive

w of heroes from the alls Troy In nowise , dear child ,

w h o do I bl ame thee , nay , the gods are to blame , have

’ ’ roused against me the woful war of the Ac h a a ns .

o n H ome r, like P riam , throws the guil t of H elen the

not to gods , but it is very easy understand exactl y what

’ ‘ o he means by saying the gods are t blame . I n the

first place , Homer avoids t he psychological problems in

a ll which modern poetry revels , by attributing al most changes o f the moods of men to d ivine inspiration .

a of fi Thus when Achilles , in a famous p ssage the rst

oo of h is - w b k the Il iad , puts up half d ra n sword in the

not sheath , and does slay Aga memnon , Homer assigns

to of . his repentance the direct in fluence A thene Again , ‘ sh e he says in the Odyssey , about Clytemnest ra , that

’ woul d none of the foul deed , that is of the love o f 1 8 6 H E L E N O F T R O Y

isth u s of n , till the doom the gods bound her to her

’ rui n . So the same excuse is made for the murderous

Clytemnestra as for the amiabl e Helen . Again , Homer is , in the strictest sense , an d in strong cont rast to the

V . G reek tragedians an d to irgil , a chival rous poet It is not meant that he describes man ners which are always chival rous . On the other hand , captive l ad ies had m uch to bear in the H omeric age , an d Zeus , among the gods , — is discourteous to his wife . B ut it woul d probabl y be impossible to find a passage in which the poet speaks harshl y or censoriousl y of the cond uct of any fair and

w h o nobl e l ady . The sord id treachery of Eriphyl e , sol d e ‘ ’ he r lord for gold , wins for her the pithet hateful , an d Achilles , in a moment of strong grief, appl ies a term of abhorrence to H elen . B ut H omer is too chival rous to j udge t he l ife of any l ady , and only shows the other side — of the chival rous character its cruelty to persons not of — ‘ nobl e birth i n d escribing with sympathy the foul d eath of the waiting women of Penelope . God forbid that 1 should take these women ’ s l ives by a clean death ‘ says Telemachus (Odyssey , x xii . So about all their necks nooses were cast that they might d ie by the w death most pitiful . A nd they rithed with their feet for a l ittl e space , but for no long while In trying to

’ w e un derstand Homer s estimate of H elen , therefore , m ust make allowance for his theory of d ivine i nte r ve n

. B u t tion , and for his chival rous j udgement of l adies

1 8 8 H E L E N O F T R O Y

’ u a i n te d q with t he myth of H el en s capt ure by Theseus , a myth ill ustrated in the decorations of the eofler of

h r . t a Cypsel us H e mentions fE , the mother of Theseus ,

z said to have been sei ed in revenge for t he capture , by

Theseus , of Helen . B ut we first see H elen , the cause fi h t of the war , when Menelaus and Paris are about to g

th e their d uel for her sake , in the tenth year of Leaguer

(Il iad , iii . Iris is sent to summon H elen to the w a lls . fi She nds the l ady in her chamber , weaving at a

a dve n mighty loom , an d embroidering on tapestry the t ures of the siege— the battles of horse -taming Trojans

- an d bronze clad A c h te a n s . The m essage of I ris renews

’ i n H elen s heart a sweet d esire fo r her lord an d her

’ own city , and them that begat her , so , draped in

w h H e len silvery ite , goes with her three maidens to the w T a ll . s here , above the gate , like some king in the Ol d

Testament , P riam sits among h is counsellors , and they ’ ‘ are all ama z ed at H elen s beauty , no marvel is it that Trojans and A c h ze a ns su ffer long and weary toils

for such a woman , so wond rous l ike to the immortal

h a goddesses T en P ria m , assuring H elen th t he hol ds

h e r k bl amel ess , bids her n ame to him her insfol k and the

‘ ' A CITJC J I I . H ele n other warriors In her reply , d isplays that grace of penitence which is certainly not often ‘ found in ancient l iterature : Would that evil death

had been my choice , whe n I followed thy son , and l eft

my brid al bower and my kin , and my daughter dear , N O T E I n

’ and t he maidens ofl ike age with me . Aga memn o n

’ of she calls , the husband s brother me shameless , alas , t hat such an on e should be ’ She names many of the

y wa rriors , but misses her brot hers Castor and Pol deuces ,

‘ own brot hers of mine , one mother ba re us . Eithe r

not ae they followed from pleasant Laced mon , or hither

w n o t hey follo ed in swift ships , but now they have heart to go down into t he battle for d read of t he shame an d many rep roaches t hat a re mine

‘ S o - spake she , but al ready the life giving eart h d id

a a ow n cove r them , t here in L ced emon , in their dea r

’ count ry .

o u t ! Menelaus and Paris fought their d ue , t he Trojan

di sc o m fite d was , but was rescued from death a nd carried

’ to H elen s bower by Aphrodite . Then the god dess

on came in d isguise to seek Helen the wall , and force

H ele n her back into the arms of her defeated lover . turned on t he goddess with an abruptness and a fo rce o f sarcasm a nd invect ive which seem quite foreign to her \ gentle nature . Vilt thou take me further yet to some

of M a eon ia city Phrygia or pleasant , if there any man is

to . dear thee Nay , go thyself and sit down by Pa ris , w and fors ear t he paths of t he gods , but ever lament for

o r him and cherish him , till he make t hee his wife , yea ,

h a s n n d n i a n o w a n n n a n d It rece tly bee e ed th t Hele sh s y pe ite ce , the ‘ S a n h a s n a d d a T n o o a i n S tupe nd ous t te m e t bee de , th t here is m r lity the I li a d ( 90 H E L E N O F T R O Y

’ perchance his slave , but to him wil l I never go . But

H elen t his anger of is soon overcome by fear , when the goddess , in turn , wa xes wrathful , a nd Helen is l iterally — C d riven by t hreats for the d aughter of Zeus w a s a fraid — into t he arms of Paris . Yet even so she taunts her love r with his cowardice , a cowardice which she never really condones . I n t he sixt h book of t he Iliad she has been u rging him to return to the war . She then expresses “ o f her penitence to Hector , would that t he fury t he wind had borne me afar to the mountains , or the wave of the roaring sea ere ever these ill deeds we re done I

I n o this passage too , she prophesies that her f rtunes will

42015 4 “ io‘ o‘ ou évozm o r of be 4 l , fa mous in the songs , good evil , men un born . In t he l ast book of the Iliad we meet

of Helen once more , as she l aments over the dead body

Hector . Never , in all the twenty years since I came

one hither , have I heard from thee one taunt or evil word

one o f n ay , but if any other rebuked me in t he halls , any

’ or o r of my husband s brothers , of thei r sisters , their wives , or the mother of my husband (but the king was ever gentle to me as a father), then wouldst thou restrain them w ith t hy loving k ind ness and thy gentle speech . So

’

S . pake she , weeping

I n a the Odyssey , H elen is once more in L aced emon , t he honoured but still pen itent wife of Menelaus . H ow t hey became reconciled (an ext remely d i fficult point in

tell . t he story) , there is nothing in Homer to us

1 9 ; H E L E N O F T R O Y

attempt at punishing a daughter of Zeus . A vase shows

of us A phrodite d isarming the w rat h Menelaus , by with

a f d r wing the veil from t he beautiful face o H elen .

Homer , then , leaves us without in formation about the a dventures of H elen , bet ween the sack of Troy and the reconciliation wit h Men elaus . He hints t hat she was

a l married to Deiphobus , after t he death of Paris , an d I u des to the t radition t hat she mimicked the voices of

E c/so t he wives of the heroes (from this art she was called ), and so nearly tempted them to leave their ambush in the wooden horse . B ut in the fourth book of t he Odyssey ,

ae fi when Telemachus visits Laced mon , he nds H elen the

o f honoured wife Menelaus , rich in t he marvellous gifts

on bestowed her , in her wan derings from Troy , by the princes of Egypt . C ‘ \V h ile yet he pondered these things in his mind an d in his heart , Helen came fort h from her fragrant vaulted chamber , l ike A rtemis of the golden arrows , and wit h

- her came A draste an d set for her the well wrought chair , a nd A lcippe bare a rug of soft wool , an d Phylo bare a silver basket which A lcand re gave her, the wife of

w h o Polybus , d welt in Thebes of Egypt , where is the chiefest store of wealt h in t he houses . H e gave two silver baths to Menelaus , and t ripods twain , and ten

of . a ll talen ts gold A n d besides this , his wife bestowed ff on H elen lovely gifts , a golden dista did she give , an d a silver basket with wheels beneath , and t he rims thereof N O T E 1 9 : w ere fin ished with gold . This it was that t he handmaid fi Phylo bare and set beside her , lled with d ressed yarn ,

' and across it was laid a dista fi cha rged with wool of violet bl ue . So Helen sat her down in the chair , and w ’ beneath a s a footstool for the feet . When t he host and guests begin to weep the ready

of of tea rs the heroic age over the sorrows the past , and

of w d read t he d im future , Helen comforts them ith a magical potion .

C Th e n new H elen , daughte r of Zeus , turned to w thoughts . P i esen tly she cast a drug into the ine w to a ll n hereof they dran k , a d rug l ull pa i and anger , a nd bring forgetful ness of every sorrow . Whoso shoul d

n is d ri k a d raught thereof, when it mingled in the bowl ,

w n o l on that day he oul d let tear fal down his cheeks , n ot not though his mother and his father d ied , though men slew his brother or clear son w ith the sword before f hi s ow n . o his face , and eyes beheld it Med icines such

so of i virtue a nd hel pful had the daughter Zeus , wh ch

P ol da m na w of y , the ife Thon , had given her , a woman of - i Egypt , where earth the grain giver y elds herbs in greatest plenty , many that are heal ing in the cup and

’ many baneful . S o Telemach u s was k indl y entertained by H elen and w us a s not . Menela , and when he left them it withou t a gift

i C i n F a a i o f o t o S I M) “ a M ss lerke , her m ili r Stud es H m er t ries th t the drug w a s o piu m . I V 1 94 H E L E N O F T R O Y C A n d H elen stood by the coffers wherein were her robes ofcurious needlework which she herself had wrought .

H elen on e Then , the fair l ady , lifted and brought

o u t it , the widest an d most beautifull y embroidered of all , a nd it shone l ike a sta r , and l ay fa r beneath

’ the rest . C w e of P resently , read , H elen the fair face came up

CC : Lo ! with the robe in her hands , an d spake I too give

of thee this gift , dear child , a memorial the ha nds of

for Helen , thy bride to wear upon the day of thy desire , even ofthy marriage . B ut meanwhile let i t lie with thy

to mother in her chamber . A n d may joy g o with thee — ” ow n . thy well builded house , a nd thine country The handiwork of the cause of all sorrow i s regarded as a fit

fo r presen t a stainless bride .

’ l H of H elen s ast words , in omer , are words good omen , her prophecy to Telemachus that Odysseus shall return

home after long wanderings , and take vengeance on the

lovers . We see Helen no more , but Homer does not

leave us i n doubt as to her l ater fortunes . H e q uotes

o n e of the prophecy which P roteus , the ancient the sea , del ivered to Menelaus C of n ot B ut thou , Menelaus , son Zeus , art ordained

to m - of die and eet thy fate i n A rgos , the pasture l an d

to horses , but the deathless gods will convey thee the w ’ Elysian plain and the orld s end ,where is Rhadaman thus w w is . of the fair hair , here l ife easiest for men No sno

1 96 H E L E N O F T R O Y

w h o s Of thu avenged the death her husband at Troy .

is w e . 6 It certain , as l earn both from H erodotus (vi 1 )

a n d w from Isocrates , that Hel en was orshipped in

Th e r a n ae . p In the days of A riston the king , a deformed child was daily brought by her nurse to the shrine of

. w a s i H el en A nd it is said that , as the n urse leav ng the

sh e shrine , a woman appeared unto her , an d asked what C w h o bore in her arms , said , she bore a child Then C the woma n said , show it to me which the n urse refused , for the paren ts of the chil d had forbidden that she shoul d

be seen of any . But the woman straitly commandi ng

t n tha the chil d should be shown , and the other beholdi g

her eagerness , at length the n urse showed the chil d , a nd C the woman caressed its face and said , she shall be the fairest woman i n Spa rta A nd from that day the fashion C w a s c of its countenance changed , and the child be ame the fairest of a ll the Sparta n w ome n w i It is a cha racteristic of G reek l iterat ure that , th the

rise of democracy , the ol d epic conception of the ancien t

heroes al tered . We c a n scarcely recogn i z e the Odysseus

of H omer i n the Odysseus of Sophocles . The kings are regarded by the tragedians w ith some of the distrust a nd hatred which the unconstitutional tyrants OfAthens had

’ c/a a m om a e er te aroused . Just as the later g of France , the poems w ritten in a n age Offeudal opposition to

Ch a rles cent ral authority , degraded heroes l ike , so i rhetorical , republ can , and sophistical G reece put its N O T E 1 9 1

n q uibbles into the lips of A gamemnon and Hele , and sl ande red the stainless and fea rless Patrocl us a nd

A chilles . C ’ o f T ro a d es The Helen E uripides , in the , is a pettifogging sophist , who pleads her cause to Menel aus C with rhetorical a rtifice . In the Helena again , Euri

o pides quite deserts the Homeric t rad itions , and ad pts the late myt hs which denied that Helen ever w ent to

a Troy . She remained i n Egypt , and Ach eans and w Trojans fought for a mere shado , formed by the gods C out of clouds an d wind . In the Cyclops of Euripides ,

n a satirical d rama , the cyn ical gia t is allowed to speak of

H ele n in a st rain of coa rse bante r . Perhaps the essay of Isocrates on H elen may be rega rded as a kind of ans w er to the attacks ofseveral speakers in the works of the t ragedians . Isocrates defen ds H elen simply on the plea

C : T o t o of her beauty Heracles Zeus gave st rength , w Helen bea uty , hich naturally rules over eve n strength

’ itself. Beauty , he declares , the gods themselves conside r the noblest thing in the worl d , as the goddesses showed

z when the y contended for the pri e of lovel iness . A nd so

of marvellous , says Isocrates , was the beauty H elen , that

no t S a r e for her glory Zeus d id spa re his beloved son , p do n sa w w and Thetis A chilles die , and the Da n bewailed C her IVI e m no n . Beauty h a s raised more m o r ta ls to im

’ n mortal ity tha a ll the other virtues together . A nd that

no w fa c t Helen is a goddess , Isocrates proves by the that 1 9 8 H E L E N o r T R O Y

ff Th e r a n ze the sacrifices O ered to her in p , are such as are

given , not to heroes , but to immortal gods . l When Rome took up the egends of G reece , she did

F ew so in no chival rous Spirit . poets a re less ch ival rous than Virgil , no hero has less of chival ry than his pious and tearful fE n ea s . In the second book Ofthe fE n ei d i H the pious prince f n ds elen hiding in t he shrine of Vesta , C an d determines to slay the com mon curse ofTroy and

ow n of her country There is no glory , he ad mits , in murderi ng a woman

E x t in x rss e n efa s ra m e n e r su m p s rsse m e r e n t rs

La u da bo r oen a s a n im u m n e e X lesse u v a bl t p , q p j Ult r ic is fi a a ' e r c in e r es sa t ia s se m eo r u m m m , B ut Venus appears a nd rescues the un worthy lover of

Dido from the crown ing infamy which he contempl ates .

Servius doubted whether the passage was genuine . The same commentator speaks o fa n amulet w or n by H elen — a red stone which shed d rops like blood a romantic touch

H w n . worthy of a thor e H und reds of years l ater , H elen

w V l i n t u s S m r n aeu s found a orthier poet than irgi in Q y , who in a silent age sang the swan -song of G reek epic

A . D . minstrelsy . It is thus that (in the fourth cen tury )

( i n t u s H ele n Q describes , as she is led with the captive C I lios Of a : N ow women of , to the ships the A ch eans

H elen lamented not , but shame dwel t in her da rk eyes , a n d reddened her lovely cheeks , while around her the people ma rvelled as they behel d th e fl a w less grace a nd z o o H E L E N O F T R O Y

Menel aus . A gain , the red jewel of H elen , al ready

known to us through Servius , the stone which seemed C ’ to d . rip with blood , was called t he Star in t he novel ’ ’ H elen s power Of Speaking in the voices ofa ll the heroes

wives , all uded to in the Odyssey , was d wel t on , and there

- were other ti n Homeric and fantastic details . At this

’ ' time appeared the twelfth part of R ossc h e r s A fzrfEa la r /ic/a er

’ ’ ’ L ex ikon der G r ier/J ir r/J efl m m Rbm zr r/a en M t/a o/o ie y g , con w taining a n erudite study ofH elen . Herein e d iscovered

that n ew inventions about her seemed impossible .

E u sta th i u s B of , the ishop Thessalonica , had already

given the fable showing how Paris , by magic art ,

o of beguiled H elen in the f rm Menelaus , j ust as Uther ,

’ by Merlin s aid , deceived Ygern e , the mother of A rthur

’ E u sta thi u s Of ( , Helen s power speaking with C ’ t he voices of all women , caused her to be called Echo h i Eu sta t u s 1 6 a ! . ( , 4 9 , s The power was a bridal gift

o i P to em . N e . H st l . w a s from A phrodite ( , Helen a C - E u sta th i u s Moon child born of the Moon ( , C The famous blood -red stone w a s actually named The

’ - a cm s lrf P l m o i ng to e . N v . H st . Sta r stone in ant iquity ( p . , 7,

/y - M t . 1 . y 99, it was a love talisman A number of other curious legends ofH elen are collected in Rossc h er

by the in dustry OfR . Engelman n . To follow the fortunes of H elen through the middle ages would demand much space and considerable

. P h r i u s research The poets who read Da res yg believed , i ‘ C w I a . u st u s o f ith the schola r of D r , that H elen G reece w a s t he a dm i r a blest lady that ever lived R ichard

Ba r n field c a lls , in his queer hexameters , her

' H n w / J m r wo de r bem u i u /I H n Ha fe a r en s a t n . pp ele , , f ele

Probably t he great a uthorit y about T rojan matters

’ o w a s C a x to n s w n a mong ou r a ncest rs book , reprinted do to T/se D er tr uctiofl o T o t he eighteenth century as f r y . Ca xton q uotes Dares C as he that saw them —the heroes —C of t he war m a n v times during t h e siege before the city . And he began to speak of Helen , and saith , that

w a s so a ll no fin d she fair , that in t he world man could

’ a fa irer As to Helen s sha re of guilt , Ca xton expresses

n no very decided o pin io n . H ele showed an unfortunate

w w a s curiosity , Caxton thinks , in going here she l ikel y C \V to meet Paris . h e refor e Paris could n ot forbea r

n n behold i g her , saying in himself that he had never see n r l - o heard tel of a ny so beaut iful and well formed . A nd i as he beheld he r , she l kewise beholding him man y times

oft to w a s f i and , he seemed her that he more a rer a

t to great deal than had been repor ed he r , and still she sa id in herself, t hat she never saw a man of so great beauty , nor that pleased her so well to behold , and so

o n no she left all her devoti s , and gave heed to anything save only to behold Paris . This was the beginning o r C man y evils to the G reeks . Soon t hey declared to each o h o w w w o n ther they ere surprised ith l ve , and reaso ed z o z H E L E N O F T R O Y how they might come to t he end of their desires S till it was by a night capture that Paris sei z ed H elen in the

m t n w a s te ple , and il es t hat Hele with the other prisoners in t he ship , she ceased not to weep , and bewail

with great sighs her husband , daughter , brethren , country

so and her friends , and was in great sorrow that she

’ C . H elen ceased to eat and drink B ut , at last , was

comforted a l ittle , and Paris did please her to the utter most ofhis power A nd Pa ris wedded Helen in

’ ’

. Ca x ton s t he Temple of Pallas In story , Paris and C A ias slew each other . A s for Menelaus , having

endured many perils at sea , he at lengt h sailed to

’ ’ - P Al ia /9m m (l\c e n ae ) havin g with him H elen his wife

C So says t he book which Caxton t r a n sla ted (though ’ C rudely) out of French into English , being weary of ted ious writing a nd worn in years A quaint version OfTrojan a ffairs is given in Thomas

’ T/c e I r on A e H eywood s two plays of g (London , printed

by Nichol as Okes , H ey wood follows Caxton

pretty closely , but his H elen is no better t han t he

o heroine o f Colu th u s . After a massacre in which m st

: of t he heroes fall , H ermione savs

Ca n y ou beh o ld this sl a ughter ? Y s n d d e Helen . e a , y

A i o fi fo r w h o H n ? t s ght t , y sh uld ele live ’ n a o fa ll n a Hele , the c use these Pri ces de ths ,

C a t o a n r a m a H o n e se l m e t , e ch m e y gl sse , er m i e , ’ S w o r h a n t e d o t h fa a a a eere p , y ther s de d lre d y , o n N o r Wi ll the F a tes le n d thee a m o ther l g .

2 0+ H E L E N () F T R O Y

in which H elen once more became , as she prophesied in

th e I li a d of m en. A , a song in the mouths later lmost

t h e her l atest apparit ion i n E nglish poetry , is in

a Hellen ics of L an dor . The sweetness of the ch ract er of H elen , t he t ragedy of the death of Corythus by t he han d of his father Pa ris ; and the omnipotence of beauty

a and charm which t riumph over t he wrath of Menel us ,

’

of La n do r s . a re the subjects verse B ut H elen , as a

i n woman , has hardly found a nobler praise , three

i v thousand years , than H elen , as a chil d , has rece ed ‘ from M r . Swinburne in Atalanta in Calydon Meleager the speaker :

n fo r a i n I sa w fa r n Eve such ( s li g hither he ce , A nd w here Eur o t a s h o ll o w s his m o ist r ock

N i a a w a n o - a d a gh Sp rt , ith stre u us he rte stre m )

v n I s a w o n e w a n -w E e such their sisters 3 s hite .

T H n a n d fa i a n he little ele , less r th she

F a C n a a v a s a sru i i n fa w n s ir lyte m estr , gr e p g Wh o f a n d fa o a o w a t w eed e r s m e rr , but hiles ,

A on e i n w o o r w n \V i o s s m tte ith l ve ru g th j y , S a a n d n w a n d n he l ughs lighte s ith her ey es , the

w a H n a v n a w t o o Weeps , here t ele , h i g l ughed , eeps ,

A nd o a n d b n i S a n a the ther chides her , she ei g ch d pe ks ught . Bu t cheeks a n d lips a n d ey elids k i sses her

a i n so fa a s i n b o o b L ugh g , re they , their l m less ud

n o n o w n i f o o o A d f f f o . ull u bl l e , the bl d g ds

’ There is all the irony of Fate in Alth te a s reply '

S w a fa a n d o o o v a n d o eet d y s be ll the m g d l es l rds ,

T n a n d a o n o o f a e der te m per te h urs the he rths ,

i f nd a a n d a f a a b . Pe ce , per ect l e bl m eless ed SON G S F R O M

’ ’ ‘ T H E WO R L D S D E S I R E

A N D

C L EOP A T R A ’

S O N G S

There l ives no man but he hath seen

’ The Worl d s Desire , the fairy q ueen .

None but hath seen her to his cost ,

N o t one but loves what he has lost . None is there but hath heard her s ing Divinely through his wandering , Not one but he hat h followed fa r The portent of the Bleeding Star ,

Not one but he hath chanced to wake ,

Dreamed of t he Sta r an d found the Snake .

— a Yet , through his d reams wandering fire , V ’ H T H E V OR LD s S R ! Still , still she its , DE I E ’ ‘ ’ F Ro M T H E WO R L D S D E S l R E 1 09

Th e S ong oftbe B orn

EEN and low Doth the arrow sing

The Song of the Bow ,

The sound ofthe st ring . The shafts cry shrill

Let us forth again , Let us feed o u r til l fl h On the e s of men . G reedy and fleet

w e Do fly from fa r , Like the birds that meet

w a r For the feast of , Til l the air oftight \ w Vith our ings be stirred , As it w hirrs from the flight

t h e Of raven ing bird . Like the flakes that drift

’ - On the snow Wind s breath ,

Many an d swift , A nd w inged for death

p S O N G S

fl G reedy and eet ,

w e fa r Do speed from , Like the birds that meet

On the bridge ofw a r .

Fleet as ghosts that wail ,

When the d art strikes true ,

Do a il the swift shafts h ,

Till they d rink warm dew . Keen and low Do the gray shafts sing

S Bow The ong of the ,

The sound of the string .

Lo ! the hour is n igh

s m l te A nd the time to , When the foe shall fly

’ From the a rrow s Hig ht l Let the bronze bite deep ' Let the w a r - birds fly Upon them that sleep A nd are ripe to die ! Shrill and low Do the gray shafts sing

Bow The Song of the ,

The sound of the string . a n . S O N G S

The Lord ou r God

ou r H E Lord God He doth sign and wonder ,

ofK Tokens H e shows in the l and hem , H e hath shattered the pride of the kings asunder

’ A nd casteth H is shoe o er the gods ofthem !

H e hath brought forth frogs in their holy places ,

h em He hath sprinkled the d ust upon crown and , H e hath hated their k ings an d hath darkened their faces

\V o n de rs H e works in the l and of Khem . ‘ FR OM T H E \V O R L S E S 1 1 2

A la m p for ou r

L A MP for our feet the Lord hat h l itten ,

n Signs hath H e show in the land of K hem .

o u r The k ings of the nat ions Lord hath smitten ,

’ His shoe hath H e cast o er the gods of t hem .

o fls is H e hath made H im a mock of the heifer ,

of H e hath broken the chariot reins R a , u On Yak b H e cries , and H is folk arises ,

of A nd the knees the nations a re loosed in awe .

fo r H e gives us their goods a spoil to gat her ,

w o f Je els silver , and vessels of gol d ,

Fo r Yahveh of old is our Friend and Father ,

An d cherishet h Yak ub He chose of old .

The gods of the peoples our Lord hath chidden , Their courts hath He filled with H is creeping thi n gs ,

i of of The l ght the face the sun He hath hidden ,

A n d broken the scourge in the hands of ki n gs . 1 1 + S O N G S

H e hath chastened H is people with stripes an d scourges ,

O ur backs hath He burdened with grievous weights ,

B ut H is children shall rise as a sea that surges ,

A nd fl ood the fields ofthe men H e hates .

The k ings of the nations our Lord hath smitten ,

’ H is shoe hath H e cast o er the Gods of them ,

But a lamp for our feet the Lord hath l itten ,

\V n rs o d e hath wrought in the land of K hem .

S O N G S

The joy that custom stains not S hall still with him remain ,

n ot The loveliness t hat wanes ,

’ The love that ne er can wane .

dream s she grows not older The lands o fdream among ,

Though all the world wax colder ,

Though al l the songs be sung , l n d reams doth he behold her

Still fair an d kin d an d young . ‘ ’ ’ F ROM T \V O R L D S D li S l R li 1 1

’ m y H ea r t

: N D UR E , my heart not long shalt thou endure

The shame , t he smart , The good and ill are done , the end is sure , ! End ure , my heart There stand t w o vessels by t he golden t hro n e Of Zeus on high ,

From these he scatters mirt h and scatters moan ,

To men that d ie .

A nd thou of many joys hast had thy share , Thy perfect part ,

Battle and love , and evil t hings a nd fai r , ! Endure , my heart

Fight one last greatest battle under shield , W'age that wa r well The n seek thy fellows in the shadowy field Of asphodel S O N G S

There is the k nightly Hector , there t he Who fought fo r Troy ,

’ Shall we not fight ou r battles o er again ? Were that not joy ? w Though no sun shines beyond the dusky est , perfect part There shalt thou have of the unbroken rest , ! ’ End ure , my heart

S O N G

IL L ye bring fl ame to burn my shrine Wh o a m myself a fla me ? B ring death to tame t his charm of m ine That death can never tame ? \N ill ye bring fi re to harm my head ? \Vho a m myself a fire Bring vengeance for your lovers dead ’ ? Upon the Worl e s Desire

n w l Nay , wome hi e the eart h en dures ,

Your loves are n o t your ow n .

ot of They love you n , these loves yours , H elen they love a lon e !

My face they seek in every face ,

Mine eyes in yours they see ,

do to o u They but k neel y a space , A nd rise a nd follo w m e ’ ’ R ‘ \V F OM T H E O R I . D S D E S I R E

P a lin ode

o fold S te sic ho r u s H O U that d idst bl ind , I f ’ w e er , s eet H el en , such a thin g befell ,

We ofth to pray thee y grace , be good us , Though l ittle in our tale a c c o r de th w ell W ith that thine ancient minstrel had to tell ,

\ sa w w Vho , with sightless eyes gro n l uminous ,

n wh o These Il ia sorrows , and heard the swell w Of ocean round the orld ring thunderous , A nd thy voice break w hen kn ightly Hector fell

A nd thou w h o all these man y years hast borne To see the great webs of thy weaving tor n

’ - By puny hands of dull , o er learned men ,

’ u s Homer , forgive that thy hero s sta r

w w w a r Once more above sea aves and aves of ,

Must rise , must triumph , and must set again . F ROM CLEOP AT R A

La m ent for Osi r i s

I NG we Osiris dead , Lamen t the fallen head

is . The l ight has left the world , the worl d gray Athwart the starry skies fl The web of dark ness ies ,

A nd Isis weeps Osiris passed away . fi Your tears , ye stars , ye res , ye rivers , shed , w Weep , child ren of the Nil e , eep for your lord dead

w e Softl y t read , our measured footsteps fall ing \Mithin the sanctuary sevenfol d , Soft on the dead that l iveth are w e call ing

Return , Osiris , from thy K ingdom cold ” Retu rn to them that wo rship thee of ol d .

Within the court d ivine The sevenfold sacred sh rine

s w We pas , while echoes of the temple all s n + S O N G S

w e Softl y tread , ou r measured footsteps falling Within the sanct uary seven fold , Soft on the dead that liveth are we calling l ! R eturn , Osiris , from t hy kingdom co d ” R eturn to them that worship thee of old . ‘ J F R O M C L E O P A T R '

The ofOffrir

— E wakes fro m f orth the prison we sing Osiris risen , \ V e ng the child that Nout co nceived a nd bare .

Thine own love , Isis , waits \ The Varden of the gates , She breathes the breath of l ife on breast A nd i n her breast an d breath ! Behold he wakeneth , Behol d ! at length he riseth out of rest

Touched with he r holy hands ,

The lord of all t he lands ,

le l stirs , he rises from her breath , her breast fl But thou , fell Typhon , y,

The j udgement day d rawn n igh , Fleet on thy track as flame speeds Horus from the

Softly we t read , our measured footsteps fall ing \V ith i n the sanctuary sevenfold , S o ft o n the dead that l iveth are we call ing !

R o et urn , Osiris , from thy kingdom c ld

Return to the m that worship thee of o ld . Q S O N G S

w e Sing the t rin ity ,

Sing we the holy three ,

i w e S ng , and praise we an d worship the thron e ; Throne that ou r lord hath set There peace and truth a re met ! There in t he H alls ofthe Holy alone There in the shadowings

Fa int of the fol ded wings ,

C There shall w e d well and rej o ice i n our rest , \V e that thy servants are ! Horus drive ill afar !

’ Far i n the folds of the dark oft he west !

We Softly t read , our measured footsteps fall ing \V i th in the sanctuary seven f ol d , Soft on the d ead that liveth a re we calling

Return , Osiris , from thy kingdom col d l

Ret urn to them that worship thee ofold .

Osiris our h 0pe ! Osiris Osiris

S O N G S

w of w e Bet een two shores death d rift , Behin d are things forgot Before the tide is d riving swift

To l ands beholden not .

Above , the sky is far an d cold ,

Below , the moaning sea

’ ofo ld Sweeps o er the loves that were ,

! . B ut , oh , love k iss thou me

Ah , lonely a re the ocean ways , A nd dangerous the deep , A nd frail the fairy barque that strays A bove the seas asleep ! A no o a r hW, toil more at sail nor , e f d rift , or bon d or ree ,

on On y far shore the breakers roar ,

! . B ut , oh , love kiss thou me ’

sa n es t A nd ever as thou g I d rew near , Then sudden silence heard our hearts that beat ,

w a s For now there an end of doubt and fear , Now passion fill ed my soul and led my feet ,

to Then silent didst thou rise thy love meet ,

Wh o n , sinking on thy breast , knew aught but thee ,

A nd in the happy n ight I k issed thee , sweet ,

’

Ah ! . , sweet between the starlight and the sea E P I LOG U E ’ The P oet s Ap ology

O , the M use has gone away ,

- Does n ot haun t me much to day . Everything she had to say H as been said ! ’ Twas not much at any time

She coul d hitch in to a rhyme , Never was the Muse subl ime \V h o has fled !

An y one w h o take s her in

’ May observe she s rather thin , L ittle more than bone and skin Is the Muse , Scanty sacrifi ce sh e won

’ When her very best she d done ,

An d at her they poked their fun ,

In Reviews .

Rhymes i n truth , are stubborn things

to d ru s A nd rhyme she cl ung , and g , But whatever son g she sings

Scarcely sells .

P RINTED BX F RED ERH Ix H A LL A T THE OXFO R D U N I V ER SIT Y P R ESS