\"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。