XLIX。
\"ThesevoicesdidIfollowthroughthetrees，Threadingthecoppice’neathastarlesssky，When，lo！theveryQueenofGoddesses，Ingoldenbeautygleamingwondrously，EvenshethathaththeHeavenforcanopy，AndinthearmsofmightyZeusdothsleep，—
AndthenfordreadmethoughtthatImustdie，ButHeracalledmewithsoftvoiceanddeep:
L。
\"’Paris，givemetheprize，andthoushaltreignO’ermanylordlypeoples，farandwide，Fromthemthattilltheblackandcrumblingplain，WherethesweetwatersofAegyptusglide，TothosethatontheNorthernmarchesride，AndtheCeteians，andtheblamelessmenThatroundtherising—placeofMornabide，AndallthedwellersintheAsianfen。
LI。
\"’AndIwilllovefairIliosasIloveArgosandrichMycenae，thatdothhoardDeepwealth;andIwillmaketheekingaboveAhundredpeoples;menshallcalltheelordIntonguesthouknow’stnot;thoushaltbeadoredWithsacrifice，asaretheGodsdivine，Ifonlythouwiltspeakalittleword，Andsaytheprizeoflovelinessismine。’
LII。
\"Then，asIdoubted，likeasuddenflameOfsilvercameAthene，andmethoughtBeholdingher，howstately，asshecame，Thatdimwoodtoafragrantfanewaswrought;
Sopurethewarlikemaidenseem’d，thatnoughtButherownvoicecommandingmademeraiseMineeyestoseeherbeauty，whobesoughtInbriefestwordstheguerdonofallpraise。
LIII。
\"Shespake:’Norwealthnorcrownsareinmygift;
Butwisdom，buttheeyesthatglanceafar，Butcourage，andthespiritthatisswiftTocleaveherpaththroughallthewavesofwar;
EndurancethattheFatescannevermar;
These，andmylovingfriendship，——thesearethine，Andtheseshallguidethee，steadfastasastar，Ifthouhasteyestoknowtheprizeismine。’
LIV。
\"Last，inalovelymistofrosyfire，CameAphroditethroughtheforestglade，Thequeenofalldelightandalldesire，MorefairthanwhenhernakedfootshelaidOntheblindmere’swildwavethatsankdismay’d，Whattimetheseagrewsmootherthanalake;
Iwastoohappytobesoreafraid。
Andlikeasonghervoicewaswhenshespake:
LV。
\"’OhParis，whatispower？TantalusAndSisyphuswerekingslongtimeago，ButnowtheylieintheLakeDolorous，Thehillsofhellarenoisywiththeirwoe;
Ay，swiftthetidesofEmpireebbandflow，Andthatisquicklylostwashardlywon，AsIliosherselfo’erwelldidknowWhenhighwallshelp’dnotKingLaomedon。
LVI。
\"’Andwhatarestrengthandcourage？forthechildOfmightyZeus，thestrongmanHerakles，Knewmanydaysandevil，eremenpiledThepyreinOeta，wherehegothiseaseIndeath，wherealltheillsofbravemencease。
Nay，LoveIprofferthee;beyondthebrineOfallthecurrentsoftheWesternseas，Thefairestwomanintheworldisthine！’
LVII。
\"Shespake，andtouchedtheprize，andallgrewdimIheardnovoiceofanger’dDeity，Butroundmedidthenightairswoonandswim，And，whenIwaken’d，lo！thesunwashigh，AndinthatplaceaccurseddidIlie，WhereAgelausfoundthenakedchild;
ThenwithswiftfootIdidariseandflyForthfromthedeepsofthatenchantedwild。
LVIII。
\"AnddownIspedtoIlios，downthedellWhere，yearsagone，thewhitebullguidedme，Andthroughgreenboughsbeheldwherefoam’dandfellThemerrywatersoftheWesternsea;
OfLovethesweetbirdssangfromskyandtree，AndswiftIreach’dthehavenandtheshore，Andcall’dmymariners，andfollow’dfreeWhereLovemightleadacrossthewatershoar。
LIX。
\"Threedayswithfairwindsranwe，thenwedraveBeforetheNorththatmadethelongwavesswellRoundMalea;buthardlyfromthewaveWe’scapedatPylos，Nestor’scitadel;
AndtherethesonofNeleusloveduswell，Andbroughtustothehighprince，Diocles，Wholedushither，anditthusbefellThathere，belowthyroof，wesitatease。\"
LX。
Thenallmengavethestrangerthanksandpraise，AndMenelausforredwinebadecall;
Andthesunfell，anddarkwerealltheways;
Thenmaidenssetforthbraziersinthehall，Andheap’dthemhighwithlightedbrandswithal;
ButHelenpass’d，asdoththefadingdayPassfromtheworld，andsoftlyleftthemallLoudo’ertheirwineamidthetwilightgrey。
LXI。
Sonightdrewonwithrain，noryettheyceasedWithinthehalltodrinkthegleamingwine，Andlatetheypour’dthelastcupofthefeast，ToArgus—bane，theMessengerdivine;
Andlast，’neathtorchestallthatsmokeandshine，Themaidensstrew’dthebedswithpurpleo’er，ThatDioclesandParismightreclineAllnight，beneaththeechoingcorridor。
BOOKII——THESPELLOFAPHRODITE
ThecomingofAphrodite，andhowshetoldHelenthatshemustdepartincompanywithParis，butpromisedwithalthatHelen，havingfallenintoadeepsleep，shouldawakeforgetfulofheroldlife，andignorantofhershame，andblamelessofthoseevildeedsthattheGoddessthrustuponher。
I。
Nowintheupperchambero’erthegateLayMenelausonhiscarvenbed，AndswiftandsuddenasthestrokeofFateAdeepsleepfelluponhiswearyhead。
Butthesoft—wingedGodwithwandofleadCamenotnearHelen;wistfuldidshelie，Tilldarkshouldchangetogrey，andgreytored，AndgoldenthronedMornsweepo’erthesky。
II。
Slowpass’dtheheavynight:likeonewhofearsThestepofmurder，sheliesquivering，Ifanycryofthenightbirdshehears;
Andstrainshereyestomarksomedreadfulthing，Ifbutthecurtainsofthewindowswing，Stirr’dbythebreathofnight，andstillsheweptAsshewerenotthedaughterofaking，Andnostrongking，herlord，besideherslept。
III。
Nowinthathour，thefolkwhowatchthenight，Shepherdsandfishermen，andtheythatplyStrangeartsandseektheirspellsinthestar—light，Beheldamarvelintheseaandsky，ForallthewavesofalltheseasthatsighBetweenthestraitsofHelleandtheNile，Flush’dwithaflameofsilversuddenly，FromsoftCytheratotheCyprianisle。
IV。
AndHesperus，thekindeststarofheaven，Thatbringethallthingsgood，wax’dpale，andstraightTherefellaflashofwhitemalignantlevinAmongthegleamingwatersdesolate;
ThelightsofseaandskydidmixandmateAndchangetorosyflame，andthencedidflyThelovelyQueenofLovethatturnstohate，Likesummerlightnings’twixttheseaandsky。
V。
AndnowthebowerofHelenfill’dwithlight，AndnowsheknewthethingthatshedidfearWascloseuponher（fortheblackofnightDothburnlikefire，whene’ertheGodsarenear）;
ThenshonelikeflameeachhelmandshieldandspearThathungwithinthechamberoftheKing，Buthe，——thoughallthebowerasdaywasclear，—
Sleptastheysleepthatknownowakening。
VI。
ButHelenleap’dfromherfaircarvenbedAssometormentedthingthatfearmakesbold，AndonthegroundshebeathergoldenheadAndpray’dwithbittermoaningsmanifold。
YetknewthatshecouldnevermovethecoldHeartofthelovelyGoddess，standingthere，Herfeetuponalittlecloud，afoldOfsilvercloudaboutherbosombare。
VII。
SostoodQueenAphrodite，asshestandsUnmovedinherbrightmansion，wheninvainSomenakedmaidenstretcheshelplesshandsAndshiftsthemagicwheel，andburnsthegrain，Andcannotwinherloverbackagain，Norheroldheartofquietanymore，WheremoonlightfloodsthedimSicilianmain，Andthecoolwaveletsbreakalongtheshore。
VIII。
ThenHelenceasedfromunavailingprayer，AndroseandfacedtheGoddesssteadily，Tilleventhelaughter—lovingladyfairHalfshrankbeforetheangerofhereye，AndHelencriedwithanexceedingcry，\"WhydoesZeuslive，ifweindeedmustbeNomorethansullenspoilsofdestiny，Andslavesofanadulteresslikethee？
IX。
\"Whatwiltthouwithme，mistressofallwoe？
Say，wiltthoubearmetoanotherlandWherethouhastotherlovers？RiseandgoWheredarkthepinetreesuponIdastand，Fortheredidoneunloosethygirdleband;
OrseektheforestwhereAdonisbled，Orwander，wanderontheyellowsand，Wherethyfirstloverstrew’dthybridalbed。
X。
\"Ah，thyfirstlover！whoisfirstorlastOfmenandgods，unnumber’dandunnamed？
Loverbyloverintheraceispass’d，Loverbylover，outcastandashamed。
Oh，thouofmanynames，andevilfamed！
Whatwiltthouwithme？WhatmustIendureWhosesoul，forallthycraft，isnevertamed？
Whoseheart，forallthywiles，iseverpure？
XI。
\"Behold，myheartispurerthantheplumeUponthestainlesspinionsoftheswan，AndthouwiltsmirchandstainitwiththefumeOfallthyhatefullustsIdalian。
MynameshallbeahissingthatamanShallsmiletospeak，andwomencurseandhate，Andonmylittlechildshallcomeaban，Andallmyloftyhomebedesolate。
XII。
\"IsitthywillthatlikeagoldencupFromliptolipofheroesImustgo，Andbebutasabannerliftedup，Tobeckonwherethewindsofwarmayblow？
HaveInotseenfairAthensinherwoe，Andallherhomesaflamefromseatosea，WhenmyfiercebrotherswroughtheroverthrowBecauseAthenianTheseuscarriedme—
XIII。
\"Me，inmybloomlessyouth，amaidenchild，FromArtemis’purealtarsandherfane，Andbareme，withPirithousthewildTorichAphidna？Manyamanwasslain，AndwetwithbloodthefairAthenianplain，Andfiredwasmanyagoodlytemplethen，ButfirenorbloodcanpurifythestainNormakemynamereproachlessamongmen。\"
XIV。
ThenHelenceased，herpassionlikeaflameThatslaysthethingitlivesby，blazedandfell，Asfaintaswavesatdawn，thoughfiercetheycame，Bynighttostormsomerockycitadel;
ForAphroditeanswer’d，——likeaspellHervoicemakesstrengthofmortalspassaway，—
\"DostthounotknowthatIhavelovedtheewell，Andneverlovedtheebetterthanto—day？
XV。
\"Behold，thineeyesarewet，thycheeksarewan，Yetartthoubornofanimmortalsire，ThechildofNemesisandoftheSwan;
Thyveinsshouldrunwithichorandwithfire。
Yetthisisthydelightandthydesire，Toloveamortallord，amortalchild，Tolive，unpraisedoflute，unhymn’doflyre，Asanywomanpureandundefiled。
XVI。
\"ThouartthetoyofGods，aninstrumentWherewithallmortalsshallbeplaguedorblest，Evenatmypleasure;yea，thoushaltbebentThiswayandthat，howe’eritlikemebest:
Andfollowingthee，astidesthemoon，theWestShallfloodtheEasterncoastswithwavesofwar，Andthyvex’dsoulshallscarcelybeatrest，Eveninthehavenswherethedeathlessare。
XVII。
\"Theinstrumentsofmenareblindanddumb，AndthisonegiftIgivethee，tobeblindAndheedlessofthethingthatistocome，Andignorantofthatwhichisbehind;
BearinganinnocentforgetfulmindIneachnewfortunetillIvisittheeAndstirthyheart，aslightningandthewindBearfireandtumultthroughasleepingsea。
XVIII。
\"ThoushaltforgetHermione;forgetThylord，thyloftypalace，andthykin;
Thyhandwithinastranger’sshaltthouset，Andfollowhim，nordeemitanysin;
Andmanyastrangelandwand’ringshaltthouwin，Andthoushaltcometoanunhappytown，Andtwentylongyearsshaltthoudwelltherein，BeforetheArgivesmaritstowerycrown。
XIX。
\"AndofthineendIspeaknot，butthyname，—
Thynamewhichthoulamentest，——thatshallbeAsonginallmen’sspeech，atongueofflameBetweentheburninglipsofPoesy;
AndtheninedaughtersofMnemosyne，WithPrinceApollo，leaderofthenine，Shallmaketheedeathlessintheirminstrelsy！
Yea，forthoushaltoutlivetheracedivine，XX。
\"TheraceofGods，forlikethesonsofmenWeGodshavebutourseason，andgoby;
AndCronospass’d，andUranus，andthenShallZeusandallhischildrenutterlyPass，andnewGodsbeborn，andreign，anddie，—
ButtheeshallloversworshipevermoreWhatGodssoe’erusurpthechangefulsky，Orflittotheirremeableshore。
XXI。
\"Nowsleepanddreamnot，sleepthelongdaythrough，Andthebriefwatchesofthesummernight，Andthengoforthamidtheflowersanddew，WheretheredroseofDawnoutburnsthewhite。
ThenshaltthoulearnmymercyandmymightBetweenthedrowsylilyandtherose;
Thereshaltthouspellthemeaningofdelight，AndknowsuchgladnessasaGoddessknows！\"
XXII。
ThenSleepcamefloatingfromtheLemnianisle，AndoverHelencrush’dhispoppycrown，Hersoftlidswaver’dforalittlewhile，Thenonhercarvenbedshelaidherdown，AndSleep，thecomforterofkingandclown，KindSleepthesweetest，nearakintoDeath，HeldherascloseasDeathdothmenthatdrown，Soclosethatnonemighthearherinwardbreath—
XXIII。
Soclosenomanmighttellshewasnotdead！
AndthentheGoddesstookherzone，——whereliesAllherenchantment，loveandlustihead，Andthegladconversethatbeguilesthewise，AndgracetheveryGodsmaynotdespise，AndsweetDesirethatdoththewholeworldmove，—
Andtherewithtouch’dsheHelen’ssleepingeyesAndmadeherlovelyastheQueenofLove。
XXIV。
Thenlaughter—lovingAphroditewentTofarIdalia，overlandandsea，Andscarcethefragrantcedar—branchesbentBeneathherfootsteps，faringdaintily;
AndinIdaliatheGracesthreeAnointedherwithoilambrosial，—
SotoherhouseinSidonwendedsheTomocktheprayersofloverswhentheycall。
XXV。
AndalldaylongtheincenseandthesmokeLifted，andfell，andsoftandslowlyroll’d，AndmanyahymnandmusicalawokeBetweenthepillarsofherhouseofgold，Androse—crown’dgirls，andfairboyslinen—stoled，Didsacrificeherfragrantcourtswithin，AndindarkchapelswroughtritesmanifoldThelovingfavouroftheQueentowin。
XXVI。
ButMenelaus，wakingsuddenly，Beheldthedawnwaswhite，thedaywasnear，Androse，andkiss’dfairHelen;nogood—byeHespake，andnevermark’dafallentear，—
Menknownotwhentheypartformanyayear，—
Hegrasp’dabronze—shodlanceineitherhand，Andmerrilywentforthtodrivethedeer，WithParis，throughthedewymorningland。
XXVII。
SoupthesteepsidesofTaygetusTheyfared，andtothewindyhollowscame，WhilefromthestreamsofdeepOceanusThesunarose，andonthefieldsdidflame;
Andthroughwetgladesthehuntsmendravethegame，AndwiththemParissway’danashenspear，Heavy，andlong，andshodwithbronzetotameThemountain—dwellinggoatsandforestdeer。
XXVIII。
Nowinacopseamightyboartherelay，Forthroughtheboughsthewetwindsneverblew，Norlitthebrightsunonitwithhisray，Norrainmightpiercethewovenbranchesthrough，Butleaveshadfallendeepthelairtostrew:
Thenquestingofthehoundsandmen’sfoot—fallArousedtheboar，andforthhesprangtoview，Witheyesthatburn’d，atbay，beforethemall。
XXIX。
ThenPariswasthefirsttorushonhim，Withspearaloftinhisstronghandtosmite，Andthroughthemonsterpiercedthepoint;anddimTheflamefellinhiseyes，andallhismightWithhislastcrywentforth;forgettingfight，Forgettingstrength，hefell，andgladlythenTheygather’dround，anddealtwithhimaright;
Thenlefthisbodywiththeservingmen。
XXX。
Nowbirdswerelongawake，thatwiththeircryWerewonttowakenHelen;andthedewWherefellthesunuponthelawnwasdry，Andallthesummerlandwasgladanew;
Andmaidens’footstepsrangthepalacethrough，Andwiththeirfootstepschimedtheirhappysong，Andonetoothercried，\"AmarvelnewThatsoft—wing’dSleephathheldtheQueensolong！\"
XXXI。
ThenPhylobroughtthechildHermione，Andcloseuntohermother’ssideshecrept，Ando’erhergod—likebeautytumbledshe，Chidinghersweetlythatsolatesheslept，Andbabblingstillamerrycoilshekept;
ButlikeawomanstiffbeneathhershroudLayHelen;tilltheyoungchildfear’dandwept，Andran，andtohernursescriedaloud。
XXXII。
Thencamethewomenquickly，andindreadGather’droundHelen，butmightnaughtavailTowakeher;movelessasamaidendeadThatArtemishathslain，yetnowisepale，Shelay;butAethradidbeginthewail，Andallthewomenwithsadvoicereplied，Whodeem’dherpass’duntothepoplarvaleWhereindothdreadPersephoneabide。
XXXIII。
Ah！slowlypass’dthemiserabledayIntherichhousethatlatewasfullofpride;
Thenthesunfell，andallthepathsweregrey，AndMenelausfromthemountain—sideCame，andthroughpalacedoorsallopenwideRangthewilddirgethattoldhimofthethingThatHelen，thattheQueenhadstrangelydied。
Thenonhisthresholdfellhegrovelling，XXXIV。
Andcastthedustuponhisyellowhair，And，butthatParisleap’dandheldhishand，Hishunter’sknifewouldhehaveclutch’d，andthereHadslainhimself，tofollowtothatlandWhereflittheghostsofmen，ashadowybandThathavenomoredelight，nomoredesire，Whenoncethefleshhathburn’ddownlikeabrand，Drench’dbythedarkwineonthefuneralpyre:
XXXV。
Soontheashenthresholdlaytheking，Andallwithinthehousewaschillanddrear;
Thewomenwatchersgather’dinaringAboutthebedofHelenandherbier;
Andmuchhadtheytotell，andmuchtohear，Ofhappyqueensandfair，untimelydead，—
Suchjoytheytookamidtheirevilcheer，—
Whilethelowthundermutteredoverhead。
BOOKIII——THEFLIGHTOFHELEN
TheflightofHelenandParisfromLacedaemon，andofwhatthingsbefellthemintheirvoyaging，andhowtheycametoTroy。