"Lejoyeulxtempspassesouloitestreoccasionquejefaisoiedeplaisantsdizetgracieuseschanconnetesetballades。Maisjemesuismisafairecettetraittied’afflictioncontremadroitenature……etsuiscontentdel’avoirprinse,carmesdouleursmesemblentenestreallegees。"——LeRomantdeTroilus。
ToalloldFriends;toallwhodwellWhereAvondhuandAvongelDowntothewesternwatersflowThroughvalleysdearfromlongago;
Toallwhohearthewhisper’dspellOfKen;andTweedlikemusicswellHardbytheLandDebatable,OrgleamingShannonseawardgo,—
ToalloldFriends!
ToallthatyetrememberwellWhatsecretsIsishadtotell,HowlazyCherwellloiter’dslowSweetaislesofblossom’dMaybelow—
Whate’erbefall,whate’erbefell,ToALLoldFriends。
BOOKI——THECOMINGOFPARIS
OfthecomingofParistothehouseofMenelaus,KingofLacedaemon,andofthetaleParistoldconcerninghispastlife。
I。
AlldaywithinthepalaceoftheKingInLacedaemon,wasthererevelry,SinceMenelauswiththedawndidspringForthfromhiscarvencouch,and,climbinghighThetowerofoutlook,gazedalongthedryWhiteroadthatrunstoPylosthroughtheplain,Andmark’dthincloudsofdustagainstthesky,Andgleamingbronze,androbesofpurplestain。
II。
Thencriedhetohisservingmen,andallObey’dhim,andtheirlabourdidnotspare,Andwomensetouttablesthroughthehall,Lightpolish’dtables,withthelinenfair。
Andwaterfromthewelldidothersbear,Andthegoodhouse—wifebusilybroughtforthMeatsfromherstore,andstintednottherareWinefromIsmarianvineyardsoftheNorth。
III。
ThemendraveupaheiferfromthefieldForsacrifice,andsheath’dherhornswithgold;
AndstrongBoethoustheaxedidwieldAndsmoteher;onthefruitfulearthsheroll’d,Andtheyherlimbsdivided;foldonfoldTheylaidthefat,andcastuponthefireThebarleygrain。SuchriteswerewroughtofoldWhenallwasorder’dastheGodsdesire。
IV。
AndnowthechariotscamebeneaththetreesHardbythepalaceportals,intheshade,AndMenelausknewKingDioclesOfPherae,sprungofanunhappymaidWhomthegreatElianRiverGodbetray’dInthestillwatchesofasummernight,Whenbyhisdeepgreenwater—courseshestray’dAndlean’dtopluckhiswater—lilieswhite。
V。
BesidesKingDioclestheresatamanOfallmenmortalsurethefairestfar,Foro’erhispurplerobeSidonianHisyellowhairshonebrighterthanthestarOfthelonggoldenlocksthatbodethwar;
Hisfacewaslikethesunshine,andhisblueGladeyesnosorrowhadthespelltomarWereclearasskiesthestormhaththunder’dthrough。
VI。
ThenMenelausspakeuntohisfolk,Andeagerathiswordtheyranamain,Andloosedthesweatinghorsesfromtheyoke,Andcastbeforethemspelt,andbarleygrain。
Andlean’dthepolish’dcar,withgoldenrein,Againsttheshiningspacesofthewall;
Andcalledthesea—roverswhofollow’dfainWithinthepillar’dfore—courtsofthehall。
VII。
Thestranger—princewasfollow’dbyabandOfmen,allcladlikeroversofthesea,Andbrown’dweretheyasisthedesertsand,Loudintheirmirth,andoftheirbearingfree;
Andgiftstheybore,fromthedeeptreasuryAndforestsofsomefar—offEasternlord,Vasesofgold,andbronze,andivory,ThatmightthePythianfanehaveover—stored。
VIII。
NowwhentheKinghadgreetedDioclesAndhimthatseem’dhisguest,thetwainwereledTothedimpolish’dbaths,where,fortheirease,Coolwatero’ertheirlustrouslimbswasshed;
WithoilanointedwaseachgoodlyheadByAsterisandPhylofairofface;
Next,liketwogodsforloveliness,theyspedToMenelausinthebanquet—place。
IX。
ThereweretheyseatedattheKing’srighthand,Andmaidensbarethembread,andmeat,andwine,WithinthatfairhalloftheArgivelandWhosedoorsandroofwithgoldandsilvershineAsdoththedwelling—placeofZeusdivine。
AndHelencamefromforthherfragrantbowerThefairestladyofimmortalline,Likemorning,whentherosydawndothflower。
X。
Adrastesetforherashiningchair,Well—wroughtofcedar—woodandivory;
AndbeautifulAlcippeledthefair,Thewell—belovedchild,Hermione,—
Alittlemaidenoflongsummersthree—
Herstar—likeheadonHelen’sbreastshelaid,Andpeep’doutatthestrangerswistfullyAsisthewontofchildrenhalfafraid。
XI。
Nowwhendesireofmeatanddrinkwasdone,Andendedwasthejoyofminstrelsy,QueenHelenspake,beholdinghowthesunWithintheheavenofbronzewasridinghigh:
"Truly,myfriends,methinksthehourisnighWhenmenmaycravetoknowwhatneeddothbringToLacedaemon,o’erwetwaysanddry,Thisprincethatbearsthesceptreofaking?
XII。
"Yea,orperchanceaGodishe,forstillThegreatGodswanderonourmortalways,AndwatchtheiraltarsuponmeadorhillAndtasteoursacrifice,andhearourlays,Andnow,perchance,willheedifanyprays,Andnowwillvexuswithunkindcontrol,Butanywisemustmanliveouthisdays,ForFatehathgivenhimanenduringsoul。
XIII。
"Thentellus,prithee,allthatmaybetold,Andifthouartamortal,joybethine!
AndifthouartaGod,thenrichwithgoldThinealtarinourpalacecourtshallshine,Withrosesgarlandedandwetwithwine,Andweshallpraisetheewithunceasingbreath;
Ah,thenbegentleasthouartdivine,AndbringnotonusbanefulLoveorDeath!"
XIV。
Thenspakethestranger,——aswhentoamaidAyoungmanspeaks,hisvoicewassoftandlow,—
"Alas,noGodamI;benotafraid,ForevennowthenoddingdaisiesgrowWhoseseedabovemygrassycairnshallblow,WhenIamnothingbutadriftofwhiteDustinacruseofgold;andnothingknowButdarkness,andimmeasurableNight。
XV。
"Thedawn,ornoon,ortwilight,drawethnearWhenoneshallsmitemeonthebridgeofwar,Orwiththeruthlesssword,orwiththespear,Orwiththebitterarrowflyingfar。
Butasaman’sheart,sohisgooddaysare,ThatZeus,theLordofThunder,givethhim,WhereforeIfollowFortune,likeastar,Whate’ermaywaitmeinthedistancedim。
XVI。
"NowallmencallmePARIS,Priam’sson,Whowidelyrulesapeacefulfolkandstill。
Nay,thoughyedwellafaroff,thereisnoneButhearsofIliosonthewindyhill,AndoftheplainthatthetworiversfillWithmurmuringsweetstreamsthewholeyearlong,AndwallstheGodshavewroughtwithwondrousskillWherecomethnevermantodouswrong。
XVII。
"WhereforeIsail’dnothereforhelpinwar,ThoughwelltheArgivesinsuchneedcanaid。
Theforcethatcomesonmeisotherfar;
Onethatonallmencomes:IseekthemaidWhomgoldenAphroditeshallpersuadeTolayherhandinmine,andfollowme,TomywhitehallswithinthecedarshadeBeyondthewatersofthebarrensea。"
XVIII。
ThenattheGoddess’namegrewHelenpale,Likegoldenstarsthatflickerinthedawn,Orlikeachildthathearsadreadfultale,Orliketherosesonarichman’slawn,WhennowthesunsofSummerarewithdrawn,Andthelooseleaveswithasadwindarestirr’d,Tillthewetgrassisstrewnwithpetalswan,—
SopaledthegoldenHelenathisword。
XIX。
Butswifttheroseintohercheekreturn’dAndforalittlemoment,likeaflame,TheperfectfaceofArgiveHelenburn’d,Asdothawoman’s,whensomespokennameBringsbacktomindsomeancientloveorshame,ButnonesaveParismark’dthething,whosaid,"Mytalenomoremustwearythisfairdame,WithtellingwhyIwanderallunwed。"
XX。
ButHelen,bendingonhimgraciousbrows,Besoughthimforthestoryofhisquest,"Forsultryisthesummer,thatallowsTomortalmennosweeterboonthanrest;
AndsurelysuchataleasthineisbestTomakethedainty—footedhoursgoby,TillsinksthesunindarknessandtheWest,AndsoftstarsleadtheNightalongthesky。"
XXI。
ThenatthewordofHelenParisspoke,"Mytaleisshorterthanasummerday,—
Mymother,ereIsawthelight,awoke,Atdawn,inIlios,shriekingindismay,Whodream’dthat’twixtherfeettherefellandlayAflamingbrand,thatutterlyburn’ddownTodustofcrumblingashesredandgrey,ThecoronaloftowersandallTroytown。
XXII。
"ThentheinterpretationofthisdreamMyfathersoughtatmanypriestlyhands,WherethewhitetempledothinPythogleam,AndatthefaneofAmmoninthesands,AndwheretheoaktreeofDodonastandsWithboughsoracularagainstthesky,—
AndwithonevoicetheGodsfromallthelands,Criedout,’Thechildmustdie,thechildmustdie。’
XXIII。
"ThenwasIborntosorrow;andinfearThedarkpriesttookmefrommysire,andboreAwailingchildthroughbeechandpinewooddrear,UptothekneesofIda,andthehoarRockswhenceafountainbreakethevermore,Andleapswithshiningwaterstothesea,Throughblackandrock—wall’dpoolswithoutashore,—
Andtheretheydeem’dtheytookfarewellofme。
XXIV。
"ButroundmynecktheytiedagoldenringThatfellfromGanymedeswhenhesoar’dHighoverIdaontheeagle’swing,TodwellforeverwiththeGodsadored,Tobethecup—bearerbesidetheboardOfZeus,andkneelattheeternalthrone,—
Ajewel’twasfromoldKingTros’shoard,ThatruledinIliosageslongagone。
XXV。
"Andtheretheyleftmeinthatdelluntrod,—
Shepherdnorhuntsmaneverwandersthere,FordreadofPan,thatisajealousGod,—
Yea,andtheladiesofthestreamsforbearTheNaiadnymphs,toweavetheirdancesfair,OrtwinetheiryellowtresseswiththeshyFrondsofforget—me—notandmaiden—hair,—
Therehadthepriestsappointedmetodie。
XXVI。
"ButvainlydothamancontendwithFate!
MyfatherhadlesspityonhissonThanwildthingsofthewoodlanddesolate。
’TissaidthateretheAutumndaywasdoneAgreatshe—bear,thatintheserocksdidwonn,BeheldasleepingbabeshedidconveyDowntoadenbeheldnotofthesun,Thecavernwhereherownsoftlitterlay。
XXVII。
"AndthereinwasInurturedwondrously,SoRumoursaith:Iknownotofthesethings,Formortalmenareeverwonttolie,Whene’ertheyspeakofsceptre—bearingkings:
ItellwhatIwastold,formemorybringsNorecordofthosedays,thatareasdeepLostasthelullabyamothersingsInearsofchildrenthatarefallenonsleep。
XXVIII。
"Mensaythatnowfiveautumndayshadpass’d,WhenAgelaus,followingahurtdeer,Trodsoftoncracklingacorns,andthemastThatlaybeneaththeoakandbeech—woodsere,IndreadlestangryPanweresleepingnear,Thenheardacryfromforthacaverngrey,Andpeepingroundthefallenrocksinfear,Beheldwhereinthewildbeast’stracksIlay。
XXIX。
"SoAgelausboremefromthewild,Downtohishut;andwithhischildrenI
Wasnurtured,being,aswasdeem’d,thechildOfHermes,orsomemountaindeity;
ForthesewiththewildnymphsarewonttolieWithintheholycaverns,wherethebeeCanscarcelyfindadarklingpathtoflyThroughveilsofbrackenandtheivy—tree。
XXX。
"SowiththeshepherdsonthehillsIstray’d,Anddravethekinetofeedwhereriversrun,Andplay’duponthereed—pipeintheshade,Andscarcelyknewmymanhoodwasbegun,Thepleasantyearsstillpassingonebyone,TillIwaschiefestofthemountainmen,Andclombthepeaksthattakethesnowandsun,Andbravedtheanger’dlioninhisden。
XXXI。
"NowinmyherdofkinewasonemoredearByfarthanalltherest,andfairerfar;
Amilkwhitebull,thecaptiveofmyspear,AndallthewonderingshepherdscalledhimSTAR:
Andstillheledhisfellowstothewar,Whentheleanwolvesagainsttheherdscamedown,Thenwouldhecharge,anddrivetheirhostsafarBeyondthepasturestotheforestsbrown。
XXXII。
"Nowsoitchancedthatonanautumnmorn,KingPriamsoughtagoodlybulltoslayInmemoryofhischild,nosoonerbornThanmidstthelonelymountainscastaway,Todieerescarcehehadbeheldtheday;
AndPriam’smencamewanderingafarTothatgreenpoolwherebytheflocksIlay,AndstraighttheycovetedthegoodlySTAR,XXXIII。
"Anddravehim,nowordspoken,tothetown:
Onemanminearrowliton,andhefell;
Hiscomradesheldmeoff,anddownanddown,Throughgoldenwindingsoftheautumndell,Theyspurr’dalongthebeastthatlovedmewell,Tillredwerehiswhitesides;Ifollowing,Wrathinmyheart,theirevildeedstotellInIlios,atthefootstooloftheKing。
XXXIV。
"ButeretheycametotheGod—buildedwall,Theyspiedameadowbythewater—side,AndtherethemenofTroyweregatheredallForjoustandplay;andPriam’ssonsdefiedAllothermeninallMaeoniawideTostrivewiththeminboxingandinspeed。
VictoriouswiththeshepherdshadIvied,Soboldlyfollowedtothatflowerymead。
XXXV。
"Maeonia,Phrygia,Troiathereweremet,AndtheretheKing,childofLaomedon,Richprizesforthevanquishershadset,Damsels,androbes,andcupsthatlikethesunShone,butthewhitebullwasthechiefestone;
AndhimthevictorinthegamesshouldslayToZeus,theKingofGods,whenallwasdone,Andsowithsacrificeshouldcrowntheday。
XXXVI。
"Nowitwereoverlong,methinks,totellThecontestoftheheadycharioteers,Ofthemthegoalthatturn’d,andthemthatfell。
ButIoutrantheyoungmenofmyyears,AndwiththebowdidIout—domypeers,Andwrestling;andinboxing,over—bold,IstrovewithHectoroftheashenspears,Yea,tillthedeep—voicedHeraldsbadeushold。
XXXVII。
"ThenPriamhail’dmewinneroftheday;
Minewerethemaid,thecup,andchiefestprize,Mineownfairmilkwhitebullwasminetoslay;
Butthenthemurmurswax’dtoangrycries,Andhardmensetonmeindeadlywise,Mybrethren,thoughtheyknewitnot;Iturn’d,Andfleduntotheplaceofsacrifice,WherealtarstotheGodofstrangersburn’d。
XXXVIII。
"Atmineownfuneralfeast,hadIbeenslain,But,fearingZeus,theyhaltedforaspace,Andlo,Apollo’spriestesswithatrainOfholymaidenscameintothatplace,Andfardidsheoutshinetherestingrace,ButinhereyessuchdreadwasfrozenthenAsglareseternalfromtheGorgon’sfaceWherewithAthenequellstheranksofmen。
XXXIX。
"ShewasoldPriam’sdaughter,longagoApollolovedher,anddidnotdenyHisgifts,——thethingsthataretobetoknow,Thetongueofsooth—sayingthatcannotlie,Andknowledgegaveheofallbirdsthatfly’Neathheaven;andyethisprayerdidshedisdain。
Sohehisgiftsconfoundedutterly,Andsoothshesaith,butevermoreinvain。
XL。
"She,whenherdarkeyesfellonme,didstandAtgazeawhile,withwanlipsmurmuring,Andthencamenightome,andtookmyhand,AndledmetothefootstooloftheKing,Andcall’dme’brother,’anddrewforththeringThatmenhadfounduponmeinthewild,ForstillIboreitasapreciousthing,Thetokenofafathertohischild。
XLI。
"ThissignCassandrashow’dtoPriam:straightTheKingwax’dpale,andask’dwhatthismightbe?
Andshemadeanswer,’Sir,andKing,thyfateThatcomestoallmenbornhathcomeonthee;
Thisshepherdisthineownchildverily:
Howliketothinehisshape,hisbrow,hishands!
NaythereisnonebuthaththeeyestoseeThatherethechildlonglosttoTroiastands。’
XLII。
"ThentheKingbaremetohisloftyhall,Andtherewefeastedinmuchloveandmirth,AndPriamtothemountainsentforallThatknewme,andthemannerofmybirth:
AndnowamongthegreatonesoftheearthInroyalrobeandstatebeholdmeset,AndonefellthingIfearnot;evendearth,Whate’ertheGodsrememberorforget。
XLIII。
"Mynewrichlifehadgrownacommonthing,Thepleasantyearsstillpassingonebyone,WhendeepinIdawasIwanderingTheglareofwell—builtIliostoshun,Insummer,erethedaywaswhollydone,WhenIbeheldagoodlyprince,——thehairTobloomuponhisliphadscarcebegun,—
Theseasonwhentheflowerofyouthisfair。
XLIV。
"ThenknewIHermesbyhisgoldenwandWherewithhelullstheeyesofmentosleep;
But,noddingwithhisbrows,hebademestand,Andspake,’To—nightthouhastatrysttokeep,WithGoddesseswithintheforestdeep;
AndParis,lovelythingsshaltthoubehold,Morefairthantheyforwhichmenwarandweep,Kingdoms,andfame,andvictories,andgold。
XLV。
"’For,lo!to—nightwithintheforestdimDoAphroditeandAthenemeet,AndHera,whototheeshallbareeachlimb,Eachgracefromgoldenheadtoivoryfeet,Andthee,fairshepherdParis,theyentreatAsthou’mongstmenartbeauteous,todeclareWhichQueenofQueensimmortalismostsweet,Anddothdeservethemeedofthemostfair。
XLVI。
"’ForlatebetweenthemroseabitterstrifeInPeleus’hallsuponhisweddingday,WhenPeleustookhimanimmortalwife,AndtherewasbiddenalltheGod’sarray,SaveDiscordonly;yetshebroughtdismay,Andcastanappleonthebridalboard,With"Letthefairestbeartheprizeaway"
Deeponitsgoldenrindandgleamingscored。
XLVII。
"’Nowinthesuddennight,whenasthesunInTethys’silverarmshathsleptanhour,Shaltthoubehadintotheforestdun,Andbroughtuntoadarkenchantedbower,AndthereofGoddessesbeholdtheflowerWithverybeautyburninginthenight,AndthesewillofferWisdom,Love,andPower;
Then,Paris,bethouwise,andchoosearight!’
XLVIII。
"Hespake,andpass’d,andNightwithoutabreath,Withoutastardrewon;andnowIheardThevoicethatinthespringtimewandereth,ThecryingofDameHera’sshadowybird;
AndsoonthesilenceofthetreeswasstirredBythewisefowlofPallas;andanigh,Moresweetthanisagirl’sfirstlovingword,ThedovesofAphroditemadereply。
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