XI。
Thedaysgrewintomonths，andmonthstoyears，AndstilltheArgivearmydiddelay，TillfolkinTroiahalfforgottheirfears，Andalmostasofoldweregladandgay;
AndmenandmaidsonIdadaredtostray，ButHelendweltwithinherinmostroom，Andtherefromdawningtodecliningday，Wroughtatthepatientmarvelsofherloom。
XII。
Yeteventhereinpeaceshemightnotbe:
Therewasanymph，OEnone，inthehills，ThedaughterofaRiver—Godwasshe，OfCebren，——thatthemountainsilencefillsWithmurmur’dmusic，forthecountlessrillsOfIdameethim，dancingtotheplain，—
HerPariswooed，yetignorantofills，Amongtheshepherd’shuts，norwooedinvain。
XIII。
Nay，SummeroftenfoundthembythefoldInthesegladdays，erePariswasaking，AndofttheAutumn，inhiscarofgold，Hadpass’dthem，merryatthevintaging:
AndscarcetheyfeltthebreathofthewhitewingOfWinter，inthecavewheretheywouldlieOnbedsofheatherbythefire，tillSpringShouldcrownthemwithherbudsinpassingby。
XIV。
Forelbow—deeptheirflowerybedwasstrownWithfragrantleavesandwithcrush’dasphodel，Andsweetlystilltheshepherd—pipemademoan，AndmanyataleofLovetheyhadtotell，—
HowDaphnislovedthestrange，shymaidenwell，Andhowshelovedhimnot，andhowhedied，Andoak—treesmoan’dhisdirge，andblossomsfellLiketearsfromlindensbythewater—side！
XV。
Butcolder，fleeterthantheWinter’swing，Timepass’d;andParischanged，andnownomoreOEnoneheardhimonthemountainsing，Notnowshemethimintheforesthoar。
Nay，butsheknewthatonanalienshoreAnalienlovehesought;yetwasshestrongTolive，whodeem’dthatevenasofyoreIndaystocomemightParisloveherlong。
XVI。
FordarkOEnonefromherFatherdrewApowerbeyondallprice;thegifttodealWithwoundedmen，thoughnowthedreadfuldewOfDeathanointthem，andthesecretsealOfFatebesetonthem;thesemightsheheal;
AndthusOEnonetrustedstilltosaveHerloveratthepointofdeath，andstealHislifefromHelen，andtheamorousgrave。
XVII。
Andshehadborne，thoughParisknewitnot，Achild，fairCorythus，tobehershame，Andstillshemused，whenasherheartwashot，\"HehathnochildbythatAchaeandame:\"
Butwhenherboyuntohismanhoodcame，ThensoreryetOEnonedidrepine，Andbadehim\"faretoIlios，andclaimThyfather’slove，andallthatshouldbethine！\"
XVIII。
TherewithagoldenbodkinfromherhairShedrew，andfromagreen—tress’dbirchentreeShepluck’dastripofsmoothwhitebarkandfair，Andmanysignsandwofulgravedshe，Amessageoftheevilthingstobe。
Thendeftlyclosedthebirch—bark，foldonfold，Andboundthetokenswellandcunningly，Threetimesandfourtimes，withathreadofgold。
XIX。
\"GivethesetoArgiveHelen’shand，\"shecried:
Andsoembracedherchild，andwithnofearBeheldhimleapingdownthemountain—side，Likeaking’ssonthatgoestohuntthedeer，Cladsoftly，andineitherhandaspear，Withtwoswift—footedhoundsthatfollow’dhim，Soleap’dhedownthegrassyslopesandsheer，Andwontheprecinctoftheforestdim。
XX。
Hetrodthatancientpathhissirehadtrod，Far，farbelowhesawthesea，thetown;
Hemovedaslightasanimmortalgod，FormansionsinOlympusglidingdown。
Helefttheshadowoftheforestbrown，Andthroughtheshallowwatersdidhecross，Andstood，eretwilightfell，withinthecrownOftowers，thesacredkeepofIlios。
XXI。
Nowfolkthatmark’dhimhastingdeem’dthatheHadcometotellthehostwasonitsway，AsonethatfromthehillshadseentheseaBecloudedwiththeDanaanarray，SostraighttoParis’housewithnodelayTheyledhim，anddideagerlyawaitWithintheforecourt，inthetwilightgrey，Tohearsomecertainmessageoftheirfate。
XXII。
NowPariswasasleepuponhisbedTiredwithalistlessday;butallalongThepalacechambersCorythuswasled，Andstillheheardamusic，shrillandstrong，Thatseem’dtoclamourofanold—worldwrong，Andheartsalongtimebroken;lasttheycameToHelen’sbower，thefountainofthesongThatcriedsoloudagainstanancientshame。
XXIII。
AndHelenfaredbeforeamightyloom，Andsang，andcasthershuttlewroughtofgold，AndforthuntotheutmostsecretroomThewaveofherwildmelodywasroll’d;
Andstillshefashion’dmarvelsmanifold，Strangeshapesoffishandserpent，bearandswan，ThelovesoftheimmortalGodsofold，Wherefromthepeoplesoftheworldbegan。
XXIV。
NowHelenmetthestrangergraciouslyWithgentlespeech，andbadesetforthachairWellwroughtofcedarwoodandivoryThatwiseIcmaliushadfashion’dfair。
ButwhenyoungCorythushaddrunktherareWineoftheprinces，andhadbrokenbread，ThenHelentooktheword，andbadedeclareHisinstanttidings;andhespakeandsaid，XXV。
\"LadyandQueen，Ihaveasecretword，Andbearatokensenttononebutthee，AlsoIbringmessagetomyLordThatspokentoanothermaynotbe。\"
ThenHelengaveasignuntoherthreeBower—maidens，andtheywentforthfromthatplace，Silenttheywent;andallforebodingly，Theyleftthemanandwomanfacetoface。
XXVI。
ThenfromhisbreastthebirchenscrollhetookAndgavetoHelen;andshereadtherein:
\"Ohthouthatonthosehiddenrunesdostlook，Hastthouforgottenquitethineancientsin，ThyLord，thyloftypalace，andthykin，EvenasthyLoveforgetsthewordshespokeThestrongoathbrokenoneweakhearttowin，Thelipsthatkiss’dhim，andtheheartthatbroke？
XXVII。
\"Nay，butmethinksthoushaltnotquiteforgetThecursewherewithIcursetheetillIdie;
Thetearsthatonthewood—nymph’scheeksarewet，Shallburnthyhatefulbeautydeathlessly，NorshallGodraiseupseedtothee;butI
Havebornethylovethismessenger:myson，Whoyetshallmakehimglad，forTimegoesbyAndsoonshallthineenchantmentsallbedone:
XXVIII。
\"Ay，soon’twixtmeandDeathmustbehischoice，AndlittleinthathourwillPariscareForthysweetlips，andforthysingingvoice，Thinearmsofivory，thygoldenhair。
Nay，mewillheembrace，andwillnotspare，Butbidthefolkthathatetheehavetheirjoy，Andgivetheetothemountainbeaststotear，OrburnthybodyonatowerofTroy。\"
XXIX。
Evenassheread，byAphrodite’swillThecloudroll’dbackfromHelen’smemory:
Shesawthecityoftheriftedhill，FairLacedaemon，’neathhermountainhigh;
SheknewtheswiftEurotasrunningbyTomixhissacredwaterswiththesea，AndfromthegardenclosesheheardthecryOfherbelovedchild，Hermione。
XXX。
TheninstantlythehorrorofhershameFellonher，andshesawthecomingyears;
Famine，andfire，andplague，andallmen’sblame，Thewoundsofwarriorsandthewomen’sfears;
Andthroughherhearthersorrowsmotelikespears，AndinhersoulsheknewtheutmostsmartOfwivesleftlonely，siresbereaved，thetearsOfmaidensdesolate，oflovesthatpart。
XXXI。
Shedrain’dthedregsoutofthecupofhate;
Thebitternessofsorrow，shame，andscorn;
Where’erthetonguesofmortalscursetheirfate，Shesawherselfanoutcastandforlorn;
Andhatingsorethedaythatshewasborn，Downinthedustshecasthergoldenhead，Therewithrentraimentandfairtressestorn，AtfeetofCorythusshelayfordead。
XXXII。
ButCorythus，beholdinghersweetface，Andhermostlovelybodylyinglow，Hadpityonhergriefandonhergrace，Norheedednowshewashismother’sfoe，Butdidwhatmightbedonetoeaseherwoe，While，ashethought，withdeathforlifeshestrove，Andloosedtheneckletroundherneckofsnow，Aswhothatsawhaddeem’d，withhandsoflove。
XXXIII。
Andtherewasonethatsaw:forPariswokeHalf—deemingandhalf—dreamingthatthevanOfthegreatArgivehosthadscaredthefolk，AnddowntheechoingcorridorheranToHelen’sbower，andtherebeheldthemanThatkneel’dbesidehisladylyingthere:
Nowordhespake，butdrovehisswordaspanThroughCorythus’fairneckandcluster’dhair。
XXXIV。
ThenfellfairCorythus，asfallsthetowerAnearthquakeshakethfromacity’scrown，Orasatallwhitefragrantlily—flowerAchildhathinthegardentrampleddown，Orasapine—treeintheforestbrown，Fell’dbythesea—roversonmountainlands，Whentheytoharryforeignfolkareboune，Takingtheirownlivesintheirrecklesshands。
XXXV。
ButstillinParisdidhisangerburn，Andstillhisswordwaslifteduptoslay，When，likealotleap’dforthofFate’sownurn，Hemark’dthegraventokenswheretheylay，’MidHelen’shairingoldendisarray，Andlookingonthem，knewwhathehaddone，Knewwhatdirethinghadfallenonthatday，Knewhowafather’shandhadslainason。
XXXVI。
ThenParisonhisfacefellgrovelling，Andthenightgather’d，andthesilencegrewWithinthedarkenedchamberoftheking。
ButHelenrose，andasadbreathshedrew，Andhernewwoescamebacktoheranew:
Ah，whereishebutknowsthebitterpainTowakefromdreams，andfindhissorrowtrue，Andhisilllifereturnedtohimagain！
XXXVII。
Sheneedednonetotellherwhenceitfell，Thethickredrainuponthemarblefloor:
Sheknewthatinherbowershemightnotdwell，Alonewithherownheartforevermore;
Nosacrifice，nospell，nopriestlyloreCouldbanishquitethemelancholyghostOfCorythus;aheraldsentbeforeThemthatshoulddieforher，adreadfulhost。
XXXVIII。
ButslowlyParisraisedhimfromtheearth，Andreadherface，andknewthatsheknewall，Nomorehereyes，intendernessormirth，Shouldanswerhis，inbowerorinhall。
Nay，Lovehadfallenwhenhischilddidfall，ThestreamLovecannotcrossran’twixtthemred;
NomorewasHelenhis，whate’erbefall，NotthoughtheGoddessdrovehertohisbed。
XXXIX。
Thiswordhespake，\"theFatesarehardonus\"—
ThenbadethewomendowhatmustbedoneTothefairbodyofdeadCorythus。
Andthenhehurl’dintothenightalone，Wailinguntothespiritofhisson，ThatsomewhereindarkmistandsighingwindMustdwell，noryettoHadeshaditwon，Norquitehadlefttheworldofmenbehind。
XL。
ButwildOEnonebythemountain—pathSawnothersonreturningtothewold，Andnowwassheinfear，andnowinwrathShecried，\"Hehathforgotthemountainfold，AndgoesinIlioswithacrownofgold:\"
Buteventhensheheardmen’saxessmiteAgainstthebeechesslimandash—treesold，Theseancienttreeswhereinshediddelight。
XLI。
ThenshearoseandsilentlyasSleep，Unseenshefollow’dtheslow—rollingwain，Beneathanashenskythat’gantoweep，Tooheavyladenwiththelatterrain;
AndallthefolkofTroyupontheplainShefound，allgather’droundafuneralpyre，Andthereonlayherson，herdarlingslain，ThegoodlyCorythus，herheart’sdesire！
XLII。
Amongthespicesandfairrobeshelay，Hisarmbeneathhishead，asthoughheslept。
ForsotheGoddesswroughtthatnodecay，Noloathlythingabouthisbodycrept;
Andallthepeoplelook’donhimandwept，And，weeping，Parislitthepine—wooddry，Andlo，arainywindaroseandsweptTheflameandfragrancefarintothesky。
XLIII。
Butwhentheforceofflamewasburninglow，Thendidtheydrenchthepyrewithruddywine，AndthewhitebonesofCorythusbestowWithinagoldcruse，wroughtwithmanyasign，Andwrapp’dthecruseaboutwithlinenfineAndbareittothetomb:when，lo，thewildOEnonesprang，withburningeyesdivine，Andshriek’duntotheslayerofherchild:
XLIV。
\"OhThou，thatlikeaGodartsireandslayer，ThatlikeaGod，dostgiveandtakeaway！
MethinksthatevennowIheartheprayerThoushaltbeseechmewith，somelaterday;
Whenalltheworldtothydimeyesgrowgrey，Andthoushaltcravethyhealingatmyhand，ThengladlywillImock，andsaytheenay，Andwatchthinehoursrundownlikerunningsand！
XLV。
\"Yea，thoushaltdie，andleavethylovebehind，Andlittleshallshelovethymemory！
But，ohyefoolishpeople，deafandblind，WhatDeathiscomingonyoufromthesea？\"
Thenallmenturned，andlo，upontheleeOfTenedos，beneaththedrivingrain，ThecountlessArgiveshipswereracingfree，Thewindandoarsmenspeedingthemamain。
XLVI。
Thenfromthebarrowandtheburial，BacklikeaburstingtorrentallmenfledBacktothecityandthesacredwall。
ButParisstood，andliftednothishead。
Alonehestood，andbroodedo’erthedead，Asbroodsalion，whenashafthathflown，Andthroughthestrongheartofhismatehathsped，Thenwillhefacethehuntersallalone。
XLVII。
Butsoonthevoiceofmenonthesea—sandCameroundhim;andheturned，andgazed，andlo！
TheArgiveshipsweredashingonthestrand:
ThenstealthilydidParisbendhisbow，Andonthestringhelaidashaftofwoe，Anddrewittothepoint，andaim’ditwell。
Singingitsped，andthroughashielddidgo，AndfromhisbarqueProtesilausfell。
XLVIII。
Halfgladdenedbytheomen，throughtheplainWentParistothewallsandmightygate，AndlittleheededhethatarrowyrainTheArgivebowmenshower’dinhelplesshate。
Nay;notyetfeather’dwastheshaftofFate，Hisbane，thegiftofmightyHeraclesToPhiloctetes，lyingdesolate，Withinafaroffislandoftheseas。
BOOKV——THEWAR
ThewarroundTroy，andhowmanybravemenfell，andchieflySarpedon，Patroclus，Hector，Memnon，andAchilles。ThecomingoftheAmazon，andthewoundingofParis，andhisdeath，andconcerningthegoodendthatOEnonemade。
I。
FortenlongyearstheArgiveleaguerlayRoundPriam’sfolk，andwroughtthemmanywoes，While，asalioncrouch’dabovehisprey，TheTrojansyetmadeheadagainsttheirfoes;
Andastheswiftsea—waterebbsandflowsBetweentheStraitsofHelleandthemain，Evensothetideofbattlesankandrose，Andfill’dwithwaifsofwartheIlianplain。
II。
Andhorseonhorsewasdriven，aswaveonwave;
Likerainuponthedeepthearrowsfell，Andlikethewind，thewar—cryofthebraveRangoutabovethebattle’sebbandswell，Andlongthetaleofslain，andsadtotell;
Yetseem’dtheendscarcenearerthanofyoreWhennineyearspass’dandstillthecitadelFrown’dontheArgivehutsbesidetheshore。
III。
Andstillthewatchersonthecity’scrownAfarfromsacredIliosmightspyTheflamefrommanyafallensubjecttownFlareonthestarryvergesofthesky，AndstillfromrichMaeoniacamethecryOfcitiessack’dwhere’erAchillesled。
Yetnonethemoremendeem’dtheendwasnighWhileknightlyHectorfoughtunvanquished。
IV。
Buteveraseachdawnboregriefafar，Andfurtherback，wax’dParisgladandgay，AndonthefringesofthecloudofwarHisarrows，likethelightning，stillwouldplay;
YetfledheMenelausonaday，Andtherehaddied，butAphrodite’spowerHiminagoldenclouddidsafeconveyWithinthewallsofHelen’sfragrantbower。
V。
Butshe，inlongingforherlordandhome，Andscornofherwildlover，didwithdrawFromallmen’seyes:butinthenightwouldroamTilldrowsywatchmenofthecitysawAshadowyshapethatchill’dthenightwithawe，Treadingthebattlements;andlikeaghost，Shestretch’dherlovelyarmswithoutaflaw，Inshameandlonging，totheArgivehost。
VI。
Butalldaylongwithinherbowershewept，Stilldreamingofthedamesrenown’dofold，WhomhateorloveoftheImmortalssweptWithinthetoilsofAtemanifold;
AndmostshelovedtheancienttalesthattoldHowthegreatGods，atlengthtopitystirr’d，ChangedNiobeuponthemountainscold，Toacoldstone;andProcnetoabird，VII。
AndMyrrhatoanincense—breathingtree;—
\"Andah，\"shemurmur’d，\"thattheGodswerekind，AndbadetheHarpieslaytheirhandsonme，AndbearmewiththecurrentsofthewindTothedimendofallthings，andtheblindLandwheretheOceanturnethinhisbed:
ThenshouldIleavemineevildaysbehind，AndSleepshouldfoldhiswingsabovemyhead。\"
VIII。
AndoncesheheardaTrojanwomanblessThefair—hairedMenelaus，hergoodlord，Asbraveamongbravemen，notmerciless，Notswifttoslaythecaptivesofhissword，Norwontwashetowinthegoldabhorr’dOfthemthatselltheircaptivesoversea，AndHelensighed，andbless’dherforthatword，\"Yetwillhene’erbemercifultome！\"
IX。
Innowisefoundshecomfort;toabideInIlioswastodwellwithshameandfear，AndifuntotheArgivehostshehied，Thenshouldshediebyhimthatwasmostdear。
Andstillthedaysdragg’donwithbittercheer，TilleventhegreatGodshadlittlejoy，Sofasttheirchildrenfellbeneaththespear，BelowthewindybattlementsofTroy。
X。
Yetmanyaprinceofsouthlands，orofeast，FordarkCassandra’slovecametroopingin，AndPriammadethemmerryatthefeast，Andallnightlongtheydream’dofwarstowin，Andwiththemorninghurl’dintothedin，Andcriedtheirlady’snameforbattle—cry，Andwonnomorethanthis:forParis’sin，ByDiomede’sorAias’handtodie。
XI。
ButforonehourwithinthenightofwoesThehopeofTroyburn’dsteadfastasastar;
WhenstrifeamongtheArgivelordsarose，AnddreadAchillesheldhimfromthewar;
Yea，andApollofromhisgoldencarAndsilverbowhisshaftsofevilsped，Andalltheplainwasdarken’d，nearandfar，Withsmokeabovethepyresofheroesdead。
XII。
AndmanyatimethroughvapourofthatsmokeTheshaftsofTroyfellfast;andontheplainAllnighttheTrojanwatchfiresburn’dandbrokeLikeevilstarsathwartamistofrain。
Andthroughthearmsandblood，andthroughtheslain，Likewolvesamongthefragmentsofthefight，Creptspiestoslaywhoe’erforgathispainOnehour，andfellonslumberinthenight。