首页 >出版文学> Helen of Troy>第1章

第1章

  "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。