XLIX。
ToCyprusandPhoeniciawanderingTheycame，andmanyaship，andmanyamanTheylost，andperish’dmanyapreciousthingWhilebarebeforethestormyNorththeyran，AndfurtherfarthanwhentheirquestbeganFromArgosdidtheyseem，——awearywhile，—
Becalm’dinsultryseasEgyptian，Alongday’svoyagefromthemouthsofNile。
L。
ButtheretheGodshadpityonthem，andthereTheancientProteustaughtthemhowtofleeFromthatsodistantdeep，——thefowlsofairScarceinoneyearcanmeasureoutthatsea;
YetfirstwithinAegyptusmusttheybe，Andhecatombsmustoffer，——quicklythenTheGodsabatedoftheirjealousy，Wherewiththeyscourgethenegligenceofmen。
LI。
Andstrongandfairthesouthwindblew，andfleetTheirvoyaging，somerrilytheyfledTowinthathavenwherethewaterssweetOfclearEurotaswiththebrinearewed，AndswifttheirchariotsandtheirhorsesspedTopleasantLacedaemon，lyinglowGreyintheshadeofsunset，buttheheadOftallTaygetuslikefiredidglow。
LII。
Andwhatbutthisissweet:atlasttowinThefieldsofhome，thatchangenotwhilewechange;
Tohearthebirdstheirancientsongbegin;
Towanderbythewell—lovedstreamsthatrangeWherenotonepool，onemoss—cladstoneisstrange，Norseemweolderthanlongyearsago，ThoughnowbeneaththegreyroofofthegrangeThechildrendwellofthemweusedtoknow？
LIII。
CametherenotroubleinthelaterdaysTomarthelifeofHelen，whentheoldCrownsanddominionsperish’d，andtheblazeLitbyreturningHeraclidaeroll’dThrougheveryvaleandeveryhappyfoldOfalltheArgiveland？Nay，peacefullyDidMenelausandtheQueenbeholdThecountedyearsofmortallifegoby。
LIV。
\"Deathendsalltales，\"butthisheendethnot;
TheygrewnotgreywithinthevalleyfairOfhollowLacedaemon，butwerebroughtToRhadamanthusofthegoldenhair，Beyondthewideworld’send;ahneverthereComesstormnorsnow;allgriefisleftbehind，Andmenimmortal，inenchantedair，BreathethecoolcurrentoftheWesternwind。
LV。
ButHelenwasaSaintinHeathendom，AkinderAphrodite;withoutfearMaidensandloverstohershrinewouldcomeInfairTherapnae，bythewatersclearOfswiftEurotas;gentlydidshehearAllprayersoflove，andnotunheededcameThebrokensupplication，andthetearOfmanormaidenoverweigh’dwithshame。
O’erHelen’sshrinethegrassisgrowinggreen，IndesolateTherapnae;nonethelessHersweetfacenowunworshipp’dandunseenAbidesthesymbolofallloveliness，OfBeautyeverstainlessinthestressOfwarringlustsandfears;——andstilldivine，StillreadywithimmortalpeacetoblessThemthatwithpureheartsworshipathershrine。
NOTE
[InthisstoryinrhymeofthefortunesofHelen，thetheorythatshewasanunwillingvictimoftheGodshasbeenpreferred。ManyofthedescriptionsofmannersareversifiedfromtheIliadandtheOdyssey。
ThedescriptionoftheeventsafterthedeathofHector，andtheaccountofthesackofTroy，ischieflyborrowedfromQuintusSmyrnaeus。]
ThecharacterandhistoryofHelenofTroyhavebeenconceivedofinverydifferentwaysbypoetsandmythologists。InattemptingtotracethechiefcurrentofancienttraditionsaboutHelen，wecannotreallygetfurtherbackthantheHomericpoems，theIliadandOdyssey。PhilologicalconjecturemayassureusthatHelen，likemostofthecharactersofoldromance，is\"merelytheDawn，\"orLight，orsomeotherbrightbeingcarriedawaybyParis，whorepresentsNight，orWinter，ortheCloud，orsomeotherpowerofdarkness。Withoutdiscussingtheseideas，itmaybesaidthattheGreekpoets（atalleventsbeforeallegoricalexplanationsofmythologycamein，aboutfivehundredyearsbeforeChrist）regardedHelensimplyasawomanofwonderfulbeauty。HomerwasnotthinkingoftheDawn，ortheCloudwhenhedescribedHelenamongtheEldersontheIlianwalls，orrepeatedherlamentoverthedeadbodyofHector。TheHomericpoemsareouroldestliterarydocumentsaboutHelen，butitisprobableenoughthatthepoethasmodifiedandpurifiedmoreancienttraditionswhichstillsurviveinvariousfragmentsofGreeklegend。
InHomerHelenisalwaysthedaughterofZeus。Isocratestellsus（\"Helena，\"211b）that\"whilemanyofthedemigodswerechildrenofZeus，hethoughtthepaternityofnoneofhisdaughtersworthclaiming，savethatofHelenonly。\"InHomer，then，HelenisthedaughterofZeus，butHomersaysnothingofthefamouslegendwhichmakesZeusassumetheformofaswantowoothemotherofHelen。
Unhomericasthismythis，wemayregarditasextremelyancient。
Verysimilartalesofpursuitandmetamorphosis，foramatoryorotherpurposes，amongtheoldlegendsofWales，andinthe\"ArabianNights，\"aswellasinthemythsofAustraliansandRedIndians。
Again，thebeliefthatdifferentfamiliesofmankinddescendfromanimals，asfromtheSwan，orfromgodsintheshapeofanimals，isfoundineveryquarteroftheworld，andamongtherudestraces。
ManyAustraliannativesofto—dayclaimdescent，liketheroyalhouseofSparta，fromtheSwan。TheGreekmythshesitatedastowhetherNemesisorLedawasthebrideoftheSwan。HomeronlymentionsLedaamong\"thewivesanddaughtersofmightymen，\"whoseghostsOdysseusbeheldinHades:\"AndIsawLeda，thefamousbedfellowofTyndareus，whobaretoTyndareustwosons，hardyofheart，Castor，tamerofsteeds，andtheboxerPolydeuces。\"TheseheroesHelen，intheIliad（iii。238），describesashermother’ssons。Thus，ifHomerhasanydistinctviewonthesubject，heholdsthatLedaisthemotherofHelenbyZeus，oftheDioscuribyTyndareus。
GreekideasastothecharacterofHelenvariedwiththevariousmoodsofGreekliterature。Homer’sownideasabouthisheroineareprobablybestexpressedinthewordswithwhichPriamgreetsherassheappearsamongtheassembledelders，whoarewatchingtheArgiveheroesfromthewallofTroy:——\"Innowise，dearchild，doIblamethee;nay，theGodsaretoblame，whohaverousedagainstmethewofulwaroftheAchaeans。\"Homer，likePriam，throwstheguiltofHelenontheGods，butitisnotveryeasytounderstandexactlywhathemeansbysaying\"theGodsaretoblame。\"Inthefirstplace，Homeravoidsthepsychologicalproblemsinwhichmodernpoetryrevels，byattributingalmostallchangesofthemoodsofmentodivineinspiration。ThuswhenAchilles，inafamouspassageofthefirstbookoftheIliad，putsuphishalf—drawnswordinthesheath，anddoesnotslayAgamemnon，HomerassignshisrepentancetothedirectinfluenceofAthene。Again，hesaysintheOdyssey，aboutClytemnestra，that\"shewouldnoneofthefouldeed;\"thatisoftheloveofAegisthus，till\"thedoomoftheGodsboundhertoherruin。\"
SofarthesameexcuseismadeforthemurderousClytemnestraasfortheamiableHelen。Again，Homeris，inthestrictestsense，andinstrongcontrasttotheGreektragediansandtoVirgil，achivalrouspoet。Itwouldprobablybeimpossibletofindapassageinwhichhespeaksharshlyorcensoriouslyoftheconductofanyfairandnoblelady。ThesordidtreacheryofEriphyle，whosoldherlordforgold，winsforhertheepithet\"hateful;\"andAchilles，inamomentofstronggrief，appliesatermofabhorrencetoHelen。ButHomeristoochivalroustojudgethelifeofanylady，andonlyshowstheothersideofthechivalrouscharacter——itscrueltytopersonsnotofnoblebirth——indescribingthe\"fouldeath\"ofthewaitingwomenofPenelope。\"GodforbidthatIshouldtakethesewomen’slivesbyacleandeath，\"saysTelemachus（Odyssey，xxii。462）。So\"aboutalltheirnecksnooseswerecastthattheymightdiebythedeathmostpitiful。Andtheywrithedwiththeirfeetforalittlespace，butfornolongwhile。\"IntryingtounderstandHomer’sestimateofHelen，therefore，wemustmakeallowanceforhistheoryofdivineintervention，andforhischivalrousjudgmentofladies。ButtherearetwopassagesintheIliadwhichmaybetakenasindicatingHomer’sopinionthatHelenwasliterallyavictim，anunwillingvictim，ofAphrodite，andthatshewascarriedawaybyforceacaptivefromLacedaemon。ThesepassagesareintheIliad，ii。356，590。IntheformertextNestorsays，\"letnonebeeagertoreturnhomeerehehascouchedwithaTrojan’swife，andAVENGEDTHE
LONGINGSANDSORROWSOFHELEN\"——[Greektextwhichcannotbereproduced。]ItisthusthatMr。Gladstone，anotablechampionofHelen’s，wouldrenderthispassage，andthesameinterpretationwasfavouredbytheancient\"Separatists\"（Chorizontes），whowishedtoprovethattheIliadandOdysseywerebydifferentauthors;butmanyauthoritiesprefertotranslate\"toavengeourlaboursandsorrowsforHelen’ssake\"——\"toavengeallthatwehaveenduredintheattempttowinbackHelen。\"Thustheevidenceofthispassageisambiguous。
ThefairerwaytoseekforHomer’srealviewofHelenistoexamineallthepassagesinwhichsheoccurs。Theresultwillbesomethinglikethis:—HomerseesinHelenabeingoftherarestpersonalcharmandgraceofcharacter;awomanwhoimputestoherselfguiltmuchgreaterthantherealmeasureofheroffence。SheisevergentleexceptwiththeGoddesswhobetrayedher，andtheunworthyloverwhoselotsheiscompelledtoshare。Againstthemherhelplessangerbreaksoutinflashesofeloquentscorn。HomerwasapparentlyacquaintedwiththemythofHelen’scapturebyTheseus，amythillustratedinthedecorationsofthecofferofCypselus。ButwefirstseeHelen，thecauseofthewar，whenMenelausandParisareabouttofighttheirduelforhersake，inthetenthyearoftheLeaguer（Iliad，iii。121）。IrisissenttosummonHelentothewalls。ShefindsHeleninherchamber，weavingatamightyloom，andembroideringontapestrytheadventuresofthesiege——thebattlesofhorse—tamingTrojansandbronze—cladAchaeans。ThemessageofIrisrenewsinHelen’sheart\"asweetdesireforherlordandherowncity，andthemthatbegather;\"so，drapedinsilverywhite，Helengoeswithherthreemaidenstothewalls。There，abovethegate，likesomekingintheOldTestament，Parissitsamonghiscounsellors，andtheyareallamazedatHelen’sbeauty;\"nomarvelisitthatTrojansandAchaeanssufferlongandwearytoilsforsuchawoman，sowondrousliketotheimmortalgoddesses。\"ThenPriam，assuringHelenthatheholdsherblameless，bidshernametohimherkinsfolkandtheotherAchaeanwarriors。Inherreply，Helendisplaysthatgraceofpenitencewhichiscertainlynotoftenfoundinancientliterature:—\"Wouldthatevildeathhadbeenmychoice，whenIfollowedthyson，andleftmybridalbowerandmykin，andmydaughterdear，andthemaidensoflikeagewithme。\"Agamemnonshecalls，\"thehusband’sbrotherofmeshameless;alas，thatsuchanoneshouldbe。\"Shenamesmanyofthewarriors，butmissesherbrothersCastorandPolydeuces，\"ownbrothersofmine，onemotherbareus。
EithertheyfollowednotfrompleasantLacedaemon，orhithertheyfollowedinswiftships，butnowtheyhavenohearttogodownintothebattlefordreadoftheshameandmanyreproachesthataremine。\"
\"Sospakeshe，butalreadythelife—givingearthdidcoverthem，thereinLacedaemon，intheirowndearcountry。\"
MenelausandParisfoughtouttheirduel，theTrojanwasdiscomfited，butwasrescuedfromdeathandcarriedtoHelen’sbowerbyAphrodite。
ThentheGoddesscameindisguisetoseekHelenonthewall，andforceherbackintothearmsofherdefeatedlover。HelenturnedontheGoddesswithanabruptnessandaforceofsarcasmandinvectivewhichseemquiteforeigntohergentlenature。\"WiltthoutakemefurtheryettosomecityofPhrygiaorpleasantMaeonia，ifthereanymanisdeartothee……Nay，gothyselfandsitdownbyParis，andforswearthepathsoftheGods，buteverlamentforhimandcherishhim，tillhemaketheehiswife，yea，orperchancehisslave，buttohimwillInevergo。\"ButthisangerofHelenissoonovercomebyfear，whentheGoddess，inturn，waxeswrathful，andHelenisliterallydrivenbythreats——\"forthedaughterofZeuswasafraid，\"——
intothearmsofParis。Yetevensoshetauntsherloverwithhiscowardice，acowardicewhichsheneverreallycondones。InthesixthbookoftheIliadshehasbeenurginghimtoreturntothewar。ShethenexpressesherpenitencetoHector，\"wouldthatthefuryofthewindhadbornemeafartothemountains，orthewaveoftheroaringsea——ereevertheseilldeedsweredone！\"Inthispassagetoo，sheprophesiesthatherfortuneswillbe[Greektext]famousinthesongs，goodorevil，ofmenunborn。InthelastbookoftheIliadwemeetHelenoncemore，asshelamentsoverthedeadbodyofHector。
\"’Never，inallthetwentyyearssinceIcamehither，haveIheardfromtheeonetauntoroneevilword:nay，butifanyotherrebukedmeinthehalls，anyoneofmyhusband’sbrothers，oroftheirsisters，ortheirwives，orthemotherofmyhusband（butthekingwasevergentletomeasafather），thenwouldstthourestrainthemwiththylovingkindnessandthygentlespeech。’Sospakeshe;
weeping。\"
IntheOdyssey，HelenisoncemoreinLacedaemon，thehonouredbutstillpenitentwifeofMenelaus。Howtheybecamereconciled（anextremelydifficultpointinthestory），thereisnothinginHomertotellus。
SirJohnLubbockhasconjecturedthatinthemoralsoftheheroicageHelenwasnotreallyregardedasguilty。Shewaslawfullymarried，by\"capture，\"toParis。Unfortunatelyforthistheorythereisabundantproofthat，intheheroicage，wiveswerenominallyBOUGHT
forsomanycattle，orgivenasarewardforgreatservices。Thereisnosignofmarriagebycapture，and，again，marriagebycaptureisasavageinstitutionwhichappliestounmarriedwomen，nottowomenalreadywedded，asHelenwastoMenelaus。PerhapstheoldestevidencewehaveforopinionaboutthelaterrelationsofHelenandMenelaus，isderivedfromPausanias’s（174。AD。）descriptionoftheChestofCypselus。Thisancientcoffer，aworkoftheseventhcentury，B。C，wasstillpreservedatOlympia，inthetimeofPausanias。Ononeofthebandsofcedarorofivory，wasrepresented（Pausanias，v。18），\"Menelauswithaswordinhishand，rushingontokillHelen——clearlyatthesackingofIlios。\"HowMenelauspassedfromadesiretokillHelentohisabsolutecomplacencyintheOdyssey，Homerdoesnottellus。AccordingtoastatementattributedtoStesichorus（635，554，B。C。？），thearmyoftheAchaeanspurposedtostoneHelen，butwasoverawedandcompelledtorelentbyherextraordinarybeauty:\"whentheybeheldher，theycastdowntheirstonesontheground。\"ItmaybeconjecturedthatthereconciliationfollowedthisfutileattemptatpunishingadaughterofZeus。Homer，then，leavesuswithoutinformationabouttheadventuresofHelen，betweenthesackofTinyandthereconciliationwithMenelaus。HehintsthatshewasmarriedtoDeiphobus，afterthedeathofParis，andalludestothetraditionthatshemimickedthevoicesofthewivesoftheheroes，andsonearlytemptedthemtoleavetheirambushinthewoodenhorse。ButinthefourthbookoftheOdyssey，whenTelemachusvisitsLacedaemon，hefindsHelenthehonouredwifeofMenelaus，richinthemarvellousgiftsbestowedonher，inherwanderingsfromTroy，bytheprincesofEgypt。
\"Whileyetheponderedthesethingsinhismindandinhisheart，Helencameforthfromherfragrantvaultedchamber，likeArtemisofthegoldenarrows;andwithhercameAdrasteandsetforherthewell—wroughtchair，andAlcippebarearugofsoftwool，andPhylobareasilverbasketwhichAlcandregaveher，thewifeofPolybus，whodweltinThebesofEgypt，whereisthechiefeststoreofwealthinthehouses。HegavetwosilverbathstoMenelaus，andtripodstwain，andtentalentsofgold。Andbesidesallthis，hiswifebestowedonHelenlovelygifts;agoldendistaffdidshegive，andasilverbasketwithwheelsbeneath，andtherimsthereofwerefinishedwithgold。ThisitwasthatthehandmaidPhylobareandsetbesideher，filledwithdressedyarn，andacrossitwaslaidadistaffchargedwithwoolofvioletblue。SoHelensatherdowninthechair，andbeneathwasafootstoolforthefeet。\"
Whenthehostandguestsbegintoweepthereadytearsoftheheroicageoverthesorrowsofthepast，anddreadofthedimfuture，Helencomfortsthemwithamagicalpotion。
\"ThenHelen，daughterofZeus，turnedtonewthoughts。Presentlyshecastadrugintothewinewhereoftheydrank，adrugtolullallpainandanger，andbringforgetfulnessofeverysorrow。Whososhoulddrinkadraughtthereof，whenitismingledinthebowl，onthatdayhewouldletnotearfalldownhischeeks，notthoughhismotherandhisfatherdied，notthoughmenslewhisbrotherordearsonwiththeswordbeforehisface，andhisowneyesbeheldit。MedicinesofsuchvirtueandsohelpfulhadthedaughterofZeus，whichPolydamna，thewifeofThon，hadgivenher，awomanofEgypt，whereEarththegrain—
giveryieldsherbsingreatestplenty，manythatarehealinginthecup，andmanybaneful。\"
SoTelemachuswaskindlyentertainedbyHelenandMenelaus，andwhenheleftthemitwasnotwithoutagift。
\"AndHelenstoodbythecofferswhereinwereherrobesofcuriousneedleworkwhichsheherselfhadwrought。ThenHelen，thefairlady，liftedoneandbroughtitout，thewidestandmostbeautifullyembroideredofall，anditshonelikeastar，andlayfarbeneaththerest。\"
Presently，weread，\"Helenofthefairfacecameupwiththerobeinherhands，andspake:’Lo！Itoogivetheethisgift，dearchild，amemorialofthehandsofHelen，forthybridetowearuponthedayofthydesire，evenofthymarriage。Butmeanwhileletitliewiththymotherinherchamber。Andmayjoygowiththeetothywell—buildedhouse，andthineowncountry。’\"
Helen’slastwords，inHomer，arewordsofgoodomen，herprophecytoTelemachusthatOdysseusshallreturnhomeafterlongwanderings，andtakevengeanceontherovers。WeseeHelennomore，butHomerdoesnotleaveusindoubtastoherlaterfortunes。HequotestheprophecywhichProteus，theancientoneofthesea，deliveredtoMenelaus:—
\"Butthou，Menelaus，sonofZeus，artnotordainedtodieandmeetthyfateinArgos，thepasture—landofhorses，butthedeathlessgodswillconveytheetotheElysianplainandtheworld’send，whereisRhadamanthusofthefairhair，wherelifeiseasiestformen。Nosnowisthere，noryetgreatstorm，noranyrain;butalwayoceansendethforththebreezeoftheshrillWesttoblowcoolonmen:
yea，forthouhastHelentowife，andtherebytheydeemtheetobesonofZeus。\"
Wemustbelieve，withIsocrates，thatHelenwastranslated，withherlord，tothatfieldofElysium，\"wherefallsnothail，orrain，oranysnow。\"ThisversionoftheendofHelen’shistorywehaveadopted，butmanyotherlegendswereknowninGreece。Pausaniastellsusthat，inabattlebetweentheCrotoniatsandtheLocrians，oneLeonymuschargedtheemptyspaceintheLocrianline，whichwasentrustedtothecareoftheghostofAias。Leonymuswaswoundedbytheinvisiblespearofthehero，andcouldnotbehealedofthehurt。
TheDelphianoraclebadehimseektheIsleofLeukeintheEuxineSea，whereAiaswouldappeartohim，andhealhim。WhenLeonymusreturnedfromLeukehetoldhowAchillesdwelttherewithhisancientcomrades，andhowhewasnowweddedtoHelenofTroy。YetthelocaltraditionofLacedaemonshowedthesepulchreofHeleninTherapnae。
AccordingtoaRhodianlegend（adoptedbytheauthorofthe\"EpicofHades\"），HelenwasbanishedfromSpartabythesonsofMenelaus，camewanderingtoRhodes，andwastherestrangledbytheservantsofthequeenPolyxo，whothusavengedthedeathofherhusbandatTroy。Itiscertain，aswelearnbothfromHerodotus（vi。61）andfromIsocrates，thatHelenwasworshippedinTherapnae。InthedaysofAristontheking，adeformedchildwasdailybroughtbyhernursetotheshrineofHelen。Anditissaidthat，asthenursewasleavingtheshrine，awomanappeareduntoher，andaskedwhatsheboreinherarms，whosaid，\"sheboreachild。\"Thenthewomansaid，\"showittome，\"whichthenurserefused，fortheparentsofthechildhadforbiddenthatsheshouldbeseenofany。Butthewomanstraitlycommandingthatthechildshouldbeshown，andtheotherbeholdinghereagerness，atlengththenurseshowedthechild，andthewomancaresseditsfaceandsaid，\"sheshallbethefairestwomaninSparta。\"Andfromthatdaythefashionofitscountenancewaschanged，\"andthechildbecamethefairestofalltheSpartanwomen。\"
ItisacharacteristicofGreekliteraturethat，withtheriseofdemocracy，theoldepicconceptionoftheancientheroesaltered。WecanscarcelyrecognizetheOdysseusofHomerintheOdysseusofSophocles。ThekingsareregardedbythetragedianswithsomeofthedistrustandhatredwhichtheunconstitutionaltyrantsofAthenshadaroused。JustasthelaterchansonsdegesteofFrance，thepoemswritteninanageoffeudaloppositiontocentralauthority，degradedheroeslikeCharles，sorhetorical，republican，andsophisticalGreeceputitsquibblesintothelipsofAgamemnonandHelen，andslanderedthestainlessandfearlessPatroclusandAchilles。
TheHelenofEuripides，inthe\"Troades，\"isapettifoggingsophist，whopleadshercausetoMenelauswithrhetoricalartifice。Inthe\"Helena，\"again，EuripidesquitedesertstheHomerictraditions，andadoptsthelatemythswhichdeniedthatHeleneverwenttoTroy。SheremainedinEgypt，andAchaeansandTrojansfoughtforamereshadow，formedbytheGodsoutofcloudsandwind。Inthe\"Cyclops\"ofEuripides，asatiricaldrama，thecynicalgiantisallowedtospeakofHeleninastrainofcoarsebanter。PerhapstheessayofIsocratesonHelenmayberegardedasakindofanswertotheattacksofseveralspeakersintheworksofthetragedians。IsocratesdefendsHelensimplyonthepleaofherbeauty:\"ToHeraclesZeusgavestrength，toHelenbeauty，whichnaturallyrulesoverevenstrengthitself。\"Beauty，hedeclares，theGodsthemselvesconsiderthenoblestthingintheworld，astheGoddessesshowedwhentheycontendedfortheprizeofloveliness。Andsomarvellous，saysIsocrates，wasthebeautyofHelen，thatforhergloryZeusdidnotsparehisbelovedson，Sarpedon;andThetissawAchillesdie，andtheDawnbewailedherMemnon。\"Beautyhasraisedmoremortalstoimmortalitythanalltheothervirtuestogether。\"AndthatHelenisnowaGoddess，IsocratesprovesbythefactthatthesacrificesofferedtoherinTherapnae，aresuchasaregiven，nottoheroes，buttoimmortalGods。
WhenRometookupthelegendsofGreece，shedidsoinnochivalrousspirit。FewpoetsarelesschivalrousthanVirgil;noherohaslessofchivalrythanhispiousandtearfulAeneas。InthesecondbookoftheAeneid，thepiousonefindsHelenhidingintheshrineofVesta，anddeterminestoslay\"thecommoncurseofTroyandofherowncountry。\"Thereisnoglory，headmits，inmurderingawoman:—
ExtinxissenefastamenetsumpsissemerentisLaudaborpoenas，animumqneexplessejuvabitUltricisflammae，etcineressatiassemeorum。
ButVenusappearsandrescuestheunworthyloverofDidofromthecrowninginfamywhichhecontemplates。Hundredsofyearslater，HelenfoundaworthierpoetinQuintusSmyrnaeus，whoinalateagesangtheswan—songofGreekepicminstrelsy。Itisthusthat（inthefourthcenturyA。D。）QuintusdescribesHelen，assheisledwiththecaptivewomenofIlios，totheshipsoftheAchaeans:—\"NowHelenlamentednot，butshamedweltinherdarkeyes，andreddenedherlovelycheeks，……whilearoundherthepeoplemarvelledastheybeheldtheflawlessgraceandwinsomebeautyofthewoman，andnonedaredupbraidherwithsecrettauntoropenrebuke。Nay，asshehadbeenaGoddesstheybeheldhergladly，fordearanddesiredwassheintheirsight。Andaswhentheirowncountryappearethtomenlongwanderingonthesea，andthey，beingescapedfromdeathandthedeep，gladlyputforththeirhandstogreettheirownnativeplace;
evensoalltheDanaansweregladatthesightofher，andhadnomorememoryofalltheirwofultoil，andthedinofwar:suchaspiritdidCythereaputintotheirhearts，outoffavourtofairHelenandfatherZeus。\"ThusQuintusmakesamendsforthetrivialversesinwhichColuthusdescribestheflightofafrivolousHelenwithaneffeminateParis。
TofollowthefortunesofHelenthroughthemiddleageswoulddemandmuchspaceandconsiderableresearch。ThepoetswhoreadDaresPhrygiusbelieved，withthescholarofDr。Faustus，that\"HelenofGreecewastheadmirablestladythateverlived。\"WhenEnglishpoetryfirstfoundthesecretofperfectmusic，hersweetestnumberswereofferedbyMarloweattheshrineofHelen。ThespeechofFaustusisalmosttoohackneyedtobequoted，andaltogethertoobeautifultobeomitted:—
Wasthisthefacethatlaunchedathousandships，AndburntthetoplesstowersofIlium！
SweetHelen，makemeimmortalwithakiss。
Herlipssuckforthmysoul！seewhereitflies;
Come，Helen，come，givememysoulagain;
HerewillIdwell，forheavenisinthoselips，AndallisdrossthatisnotHelena。
OhthouartfairerthantheeveningairCladinthebeautyofathousandstars。
ThelovesofFaustusandHelenarereadilyallegorizedintothepassionoftheRenaissanceforclassicalbeauty，thepassiontowhichallthatisnotbeautyseemedverydross。Thisistheideaofthesecondpartof\"Faust，\"inwhichHelenoncemorebecame，assheprophesiedintheIliad，asonginthemouthsoflatermen。AlmostherlatestapparitioninEnglishpoetry，isinthe\"Hellenics\"ofLandor。ThesweetnessofthecharacterofHelen;thetragedyofthedeathofCorythusbythehandofhisfatherParis;andtheomnipotenceofbeautyandcharmwhichtriumphoverthewrathofMenelaus，arethesubjectsofLandor’sverse。ButHelen，asawoman，hashardlyfoundanoblerpraise，inthreethousandyears，thanHelen，asachild，hasreceivedfromMr。Swinburnein\"AtalantainCalydon。\"Meleageristhespeaker:—
Evensuch（forsailinghitherIsawfarhence，AndwhereEurotashollowshismoistrockNighSparta，withastrenuous—heartedstream）
EvensuchIsawtheirsisters;oneswan—white，ThelittleHelen，andlessfairthansheFairClytemnestra，graveaspasturingfawnsWhofeedandfearsomearrow;butatwhiles，Asonesmittenwithloveorwrungwithjoy，Shelaughsandlightenswithhereyes，andthenWeeps;whereatHelen，havinglaughed，weepstoo，Andtheotherchidesher，andshebeingchidspeaksnaught，ButcheeksandlipsandeyelidskissesherLaughing，sofarethey，asintheirbloomlessbudAndfullofunblownlife，thebloodofgods。
ThereisalltheironyofFateinAlthaeas’replySweetdaysbefallthemandgoodlovesandlords，Tenderandtemperatehonoursofthehearths，Peace，andaperfectlifeandblamelessbed。