Cover

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Title
On the Eve of the Trojan War
divertimento in 1721 couplets arranged in 72 songs

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by Carlos Parada

Maicar
2013

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Front matter
ON THE EVE OF THE TROJAN WAR
divertimento in 1721 couplets arranged in 72 songs
by Carlos Parada
Published by Maicar Frlag 2013, maicar@comhem.se
Copyright 2013, Maicar Frlag & Carlos Parada
ISBN 978-91-976473-5-9
Cover: 6038: White kylix (480-470 BC). Work of an Athenian unknown vase painter.
Archaeological Museum, Delphi.

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Contents
Cover ....................................................................................................................... 1
Title .......................................................................................................................... 1
Front matter ........................................................................................................... 2
Contents ................................................................................................................. 3
Personae .................................................................................................................. 5
Places ....................................................................................................................... 6
On the Eve of the Trojan War ........................................................................... 7
PREAMBLE ..................................................................................................................... 8
1. The Birds ............................................................................................................ 9
2. The Plot ............................................................................................................ 10
I. THE OATH OF TYNDAREUS ........................................................................... 11
3. The Bargain of Odysseus ............................................................................. 12
4. The Threats of Agamemnon ....................................................................... 14
5. Tyndareus and Icarius .................................................................................. 16
6. The Key to Peace ............................................................................................ 18
7. Tyndareus and Helen ................................................................................... 19
8. Odysseus Chorus .......................................................................................... 20
II. THE ABDUCTION OF HELEN ....................................................................... 21
9. Paris Wife Oenone ....................................................................................... 22
10. The Three Birds ........................................................................................... 24
11. Prince Paris ................................................................................................... 26
12. The Wooden Queen ................................................................................... 27
13. The Departure of Menelaus ...................................................................... 29
14. The Seduction of Helen ............................................................................. 30
15. The Flight of Paris ....................................................................................... 31
III. THE ERRANDS OF MENELAUS ................................................................... 33
16. The Funeral of Catreus .............................................................................. 34
17. The Dream of Menelaus ............................................................................ 36
18. The Brothers War Council ....................................................................... 38
IV. AT THE COURT OF NESTOR ........................................................................ 41
19. The Overlords Message ............................................................................. 42
20. Demodocus Song ....................................................................................... 44
V. THE DEPARTURE OF DIOMEDES ................................................................ 47
21. The False Song ............................................................................................. 48
22. The Blush ....................................................................................................... 50
23. The Wreath ................................................................................................... 51
VI. THE ENLISTMENT OF ODYSSEUS ............................................................. 53
24. The Song from the Hill .............................................................................. 54
25. The Envoys of Ruin .................................................................................... 55
26. The Madness of Odysseus ........................................................................ 57
27. Palamedes Chorus ..................................................................................... 59
28. The Enlistment ............................................................................................ 60
VII. PARIS BY THE NILE ........................................................................................ 61
29. The Immortal Nile ...................................................................................... 62
30. The Flight of the Slaves .............................................................................. 64
31. The Battle of the Nile ................................................................................. 66
VIII. THE CHOICE OF ACHILLES ...................................................................... 68
32. The Gate of Death ....................................................................................... 69

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33. A Cure for Deidamia ................................................................................. 71

34. The Visit of Odysseus ................................................................................. 73
35. Persuading Achilles .................................................................................... 76
36. The Reproaches of Deidamia ................................................................... 80
IX. THE DIRE STRAITS OF AULIS...................................................................... 83
37. A Night in Aulis .......................................................................................... 84
38. The Dry Rain ................................................................................................ 88
39. The Choice of Agamemnon ..................................................................... 90
40. The Treacherous Letter .............................................................................. 93
41. The Mob ........................................................................................................ 94
42. Cheating the Bees ....................................................................................... 96
43. The Key to the Sea ...................................................................................... 99
44. The Birds on the Mast ............................................................................. 100
X. THREE TROJAN WALLS ................................................................................. 101
45. In Troys Bay ............................................................................................... 102
46. Castles in the Sand ................................................................................... 104
47. The Parade .................................................................................................. 108
XI. THE INVASION OF TENEDOS ................................................................... 110
48. The Sacred Island ...................................................................................... 111
49. Tenes Tale .................................................................................................. 112
50. The Double Axe ........................................................................................ 114
51. On High Seas ............................................................................................. 116
52. The Interrogation ...................................................................................... 117
53. Aboard the Flagship ................................................................................. 119
54. The Landing ............................................................................................... 121
55. The Death of Tenes ................................................................................... 122
56. The Triumphal Speech ............................................................................ 125
57. The Curse of Hemithea ........................................................................... 126
XII. THE DESTRUCTION OF TENEDOS ....................................................... 128
58. The Fires of Palamedes ............................................................................ 129
59. The Meander and the Archer ................................................................ 132
60. No Less No More ...................................................................................... 134
61. On a Golden Tray ..................................................................................... 136
XIII. THE AUDACITY OF PALAMEDES ........................................................ 138
62. Torrents of Abuse ..................................................................................... 139
63. Rotten Foot ................................................................................................. 141
64. The Trojan Traders ................................................................................... 143
65. The Burning of the Fleet ......................................................................... 146
XIV. THE AMBASSADORS AT TROY .............................................................. 148
66. Chez Antenor ............................................................................................ 149
67. The Negotiation ......................................................................................... 151
68. The Detention of Paris ............................................................................ 158
69. One Night in Troy .................................................................................... 160
70. The Arrest of the Envoys ........................................................................ 163
71. The Revocation .......................................................................................... 165
72. The Depart of the Envoys ....................................................................... 170

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Personae Songs
Achilles, an Achaean commander 32, 43, 35, 36, 40, 44, 52, 54, 55
Aegialia, wife of Diomedes 22
Agamemnon, Overlord of the Achaeans 4, 18, 37, 39, 53, 56, 58, 60
Ananke, Necessity (a goddess) 37
Antenor, elder of Troy 66, 67, 68, 69, 70, 71
Antimachus, an influential Trojan 67
Apollo, the bright god 46, 48, 54, 67, 69
Artemis, a goddess 37
Calchas, an Achaean seer 34, 37, 38, 39, 41, 44, 58, 59, 61
Cassandra, a Trojan seeress, daughter of king Priam 46
Catreus, king of Crete, uncle of Menelaus 16
Cometes, a bard, lover of Aegialia, wife of Diomedes 21
Clytaemnestra, wife of Agamemnon 4
Deidamia, wife of Achilles 33, 36
Demodocus, a bard in the court of Nestor 19, 20
Diomedes, king of Argos 21, 22, 23
Hector, crown prince of Troy 68, 70
Helen, a creation of Heaven, stepdaughter of Tyndareus, wife of
Menelaus and lover of Paris 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 11, 13, 14, 15, 26, 29,
31, 39, 45, 67, 68, 69, 71
Hemithea, sister and wife of Tenes 49, 57
Hermione, daughter of Menelaus and Helen 15
Hesione, sister of Priam 71
Icarius, brother of Tyndareus, uncle of Helen and father of Penelope 5
Iphigenia, daughter of Helen and Theseus. Adoptive daughter of
Agamemnon and Clytaemnestra 39
Iris, a goddess, messenger of the gods 17
Lethe, Oblivion 35
Lycomedes, king of Scyros 32
Menelaus, king of Sparta after Tyndareus. Husband of Helen and
brother of Agamemnon 4, 8, 12, 13, 16, 17, 18, 19, 39, 53,
60, 67, 72
Nestor, king of Pylos 19, 20
Odysseus, king of Ithaca 3, 5, 6, 8, 25, 26, 34, 35, 41, 42,
43, 60, 67, 69, 70, 71, 72
Oenone, wife of Paris 9
Palamedes, an Achaean commander 26, 27, 28, 42, 58, 59, 60, 62, 63,
64, 65, 71, 72
Panthous, a Trojan priest 71

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Paris, prince of Troy, son of king Priam 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 17, 18,
19, 20, 21, 25, 26, 29, 30, 31, 35,
45, 46, 47, 64, 66, 67, 68, 71
Patroclus, friend of Achilles 35
Penelope, daughter of Icarius and wife of Odysseus 3, 5, 25
Philoctetes, lord from Thessaly, Hellas 52, 57, 59, 62, 63
Priam, king of Troy 66, 67, 68, 71
Pyrrha, Achilles name while disguised as a girl 33
Telemachus, Odysseus son 26, 27
Tenes, king of Tenedos 48, 49, 54, 55, 56, 61
Theseus, former king of Athens, dead in Scyros 34
Thetis, goddess of the sea, mother of Achilles 32, 34
Tyndareus, king of Sparta, stepfather of Helen 3, 5, 6, 7

Places Songs

Argos, city in northeastern Peloponnesus, Hellas 21

Aulis, Boeotian city opposite Euboea, Hellas 18, 19, 23, 25, 26, 34, 37, 38
Crete, large island in the Mediterranean Sea, southeast of
Greece 13, 16, 17
Cyprus, island in the eastern end of the Mediterranean Sea 45
Egypt, region in northeastern Africa about the river Nile 29, 31
Ida, mountain southeast of Troy 9, 21
Ithaca, island off the western coast of Hellas 5, 24, 67
Lemnos, island in the northern Aegean sea 59, 62, 64
Pylos, city in Messenia, southwestern Hellas 19, 20
Scyros, island northeast of Euboea, kingdom of Lycomedes 32
Sidon, coastal city of Phoenicia 45
Sparta, city in Laconia, Hellas 60, 67, 69, 71, 72
Tenedos, island off the coast of the Troad, Asia Minor 48, 52, 53, 58, 61
Troy, city in the Troad, northwestern Asia Minor 11, 13, 15, 18, 19, 22, 25, 26, 29,
32, 34, 35, 36, 38, 39, 45, 47, 53,
56, 58, 60, 61, 64, 67, 68, 69, 71

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On the Eve of the Trojan War

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PREAMBLE
What these rhymes are about.

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1. The Birds

1 Heaven placed the birds above,

to be free, to sing or love,
2
but man landed on the ground,
like a slave, to darkness bound.
3
He hears tweets, yet not the words
that at dawn sing the wise birds
4
which know more of his affairs
than he knows of his own cares.
5
Gaping like a graduate fool,
he believes hes Cosmos jewel
6
as his wounds he plans to suture
not right now, but in the future.
7
That hereafters a delusion,
sing the birds, yet an illusion
8
which affects the fool mans head,
makes him live as if hes dead!
9
Then sometimes, to feel more vast,
he may plunge into the past.
10
Of same ill another side,
like the motions of the tide.
11
What occurred or will take place
are two eyes in the same face.
12
Days to come and the gone days
join together in one gaze.
13
All is present all the time,
nothing else reveals this rhyme.

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2. The Plot

14 Sing the birds that once the gods

with the mortals felt at odds:
15
Theyre a plague we should reduce
both their numbers and abuse!
16
Simpler time and simpler place
will succeed their hateful pace!
17
To attain that worthy aim
they renounced to use a flame,
18
earth or wind or heavy rain,
but instead made men insane:
19
Let them fall in their own traps,
let their wacky world collapse
20
and allow this gory sore
end itself through bloody war!
21
From an egg a girl was hatched
of a beauty never matched,
22
meant to be cause of dispute
while dressed up as sweetest fruit.
23
She was Heavens bright creation,
a delight for sane vocation,
24
but some fools turned the fair girl,
by some oath, into a whirl.
25
In that way they built the chains
that enslaved their feeble brains,
26
claiming later that the war
had been caused by her, a whore.
27
But divine was Helens smile,
they were vile, she was worthwhile.

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I
THE OATH OF
TYNDAREUS
Many suitors come to Sparta hoping to win the hand of Helen, but
her stepfather, King Tyndareus, fears that if he favors any of them
war will break out. Odysseus finds a solution to the kings dilemma,
and in exchange for his service, he receives Tyndareus niece
Penelope as wife.

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3. The Bargain of Odysseus

28 Feeling struck by Loves disease,

princes came from all of Greece
29
to compete for Helens hand,
for her beauty and her land.
30
Shows Tyndareusthe old king,
her own fatherthe brides ring,
31
reiterating to the crowd
what he previously has vowed:
32
That like birds of alike feather
girl and crown belong together,
33
so that he who plucks the flower
also gets the royal power.
34
Such ingenious combination,
having caused great fascination,
35
made the suitors at the door
feel they had to threaten war.
36
Thinks the king then, If I choose
one of them we might all loose.
37
Once a suitor wins the laurel,
all the rest will start to quarrel,
38
turning wedlock into sore,
wedding party into war!
39
Having noticed the kings plight,
says Odysseus one clear night:
40
Theres a way to hinder fight
which all suitors will find right.
41
Such a method Ill confide
if you help me get a bride.
42
The king says, I must decline
since my Helen is divine,
43
and your gifts quite disavow

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any chance to win this row.

44
She is not my future bride.
In that race Ill step aside.
45
From an egg was Helen hatched.
Could my birth with hers be matched?
46
Its Penelope my choice!
At her love I will rejoice.
47
Im not sure if my niece
my dear brother will release.
48
Talk to him and key to peace
I will trade for your sweet niece.
49
Just Penelope, none other,
of my child will be the mother!

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4. The Threats of Agamemnon

50 Nights and days, endless succession,

seem to nurture more aggression
51
as the king fails to decide
who should win the precious bride.
52
To his burden adds one straw
Agamemnon, son-in-law:
53
Its my hope that youll agree
to judge wisely and decree
54
that my brothers just demand
should be met with Helens hand.
55
Its my daughter who will choose.
Shell accept or shell refuse.
56
Better would if she obeyed
what her father wisely weighed.
57
Any suitor will find reason
to complain or to cry treason.
58
Whether I make the decision,
or else she, therell be division.
59
Menelauss not your foe,
why should he then lose this row?
60
And besides another question
by the way Id like to mention:
61
Like a crazy, angry bee,
has your daughter been to me!
62
Yet this flaw could be corrected
if my brother were selected.
63
Otherwise another course
might I choose, that is, divorce.
64
I might promptly have her ditched.
Shes no wife, shes bewitched!
65
A sweet flower was my daughter

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like pure light or like fresh water

66
till your manners brute and coarse
of her spite became the source.
67
If you wish to change your course,
grasp your chance and give up force!
68
Old disputes I wont discuss
nor of trifles make a fuss.
69
These are times to make decisions
and to end harmful divisions.
70
Realms are countless here in Greece,
lets unite and well have peace.
71
Greater things we may achieve
if our realms we interweave!

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5. Tyndareus and Icarius

72 Hail Icarius, wise and free!

I must beg you hear my plea.
73
You seem suffer from hard strain.
Please, explain at once your pain.
74
If you need to, please complain,
we both know the worlds insane!
75
Please, Icarius, do refrain!
We should not the gods disdain.
76
Mother Earth is good and sane,
but her children are her bane!
77
Hundred princes and their troops
fill our fields with their large groups.
78
Once one suitor wins the laurel,
all the rest will start to quarrel.
79
I come here to implore,
to avert the clouds of war!
80
My dear brother, I will do
all I can to help you through!
81
Trust in me, well find a clue
that will make your troubles few!
82
Says Odysseus he would trade
key to peace for a fair maid,
83
but he puts Helen aside.
On some other he must ride.
84
There you are! These are good news!
We may help this man to choose!
85
Its the choice of his caprice
to receive as wife my niece.
86
What? Penelope? Hes mad!
Shed find Ithaca too sad!
87
And I need her to be here.

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For my age, shes far too dear!

88
He has said that shell be mother
of his children, and none other.
89
Such a contract is not fair!
It will bring grief and despair!
90
Ill arrange rich compensation
to dismiss such desperation.
91
Its my daughter who must choose,
shell accept or shell refuse!
92
Better be if she obeyed
what her father rightly weighed.
93
Theres in me no hesitation,
she will choose her destination!
94
This is all I can now give,
be good brother and forgive!
95
Thousand thanks for your assistance,
and excuse, please, my insistence.
96
(Yet not you, but Ithe king
will select her wedding ring!)

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6. The Key to Peace

97 Hail Odysseus! I have news

to exchange for your sound views.
98
My good brother yields my niece
if you grant that key to peace.
99
I am now prepared to hear
how this case you plan to gear.
100
Good, Tyndareus! Good for both!
The solution is an oath:
101
Let the suitors vow, pledge, swear
that this is most holy affair,
102
that whoever is selected
should not only be respected,
103
but by all should be protected!
That full force will be collected
104
among those who were rejected
to defend the one elected.
105
Thats the oath you must exact
in advanceas solemn pact.
106
Says the king, You are most clever.
Thanks, Odysseus, for this lever!

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7. Tyndareus and Helen

107 My dear child, the time has come,

says the king, for wedding drum.
108
Lawful husband you must choose.
I will not your choice refuse,
109
but Ive made all sign a pact,
meant to keep your home intact.
110
I know well that you mean war,
that not few will call you a whore.
111
Yet Ive loved you, my dear child,
since that egg broke and you smiled.
112
The high Heavens wrought your face.
None will ever match your grace.
113
But with Heaven were at odds,
youre the vengeance of the gods.
114
Though a bane will be your name,
our own madness we should blame.
115
Says the girl who knows no care,
slightly touching her fair hair:
116
You, Tyndareus, on this earth,
are my father since my birth.
117
I shall choose as you prefer
since what must per force occur
118
none should hinder nor deter,
at the most little defer.
119
Into Helens head those words
with their songs had put the birds
120
which know more of mans affairs
than he knows of his own cares.

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8. Odysseus Chorus

121 Good Odysseus, bliss forever!

To the king you gave a lever!
122
In exchange you got his niece,
but for you, will this mean peace?
123
Are you sure your device
against you will never rise?
124
Its for better or for worse?
Its a blessing or a curse?
125
As one suitor here you came,
and the oath includes your name!
126
Menelaus got the wreath,
and his sword rests in its sheath.
127
May in peace his marriage last,
may your bliss be unsurpassed!
128
Yet remember: With a pledge,
one comes close a dreadful edge!

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II
THE ABDUCTION OF
HELEN
Paris leads the life of a shepherd in Mount Ida until he meets three
goddesses, and as a result of the meeting he comes to Troy. In order
to fetch a prize one of the goddesses gave him, he arrives to Sparta,
abducts Helen, and sails away with her to Troy.

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9. Paris and Oenone

129 In the best of Idas lee,

having found the tallest tree,
130
shepherd Paris, with his knife,
carves the name of his dear wife.
131
In his view, no occupation
could deserve better attention
132
than engraving every tree
with her name as sacred key.
133
Wifes the title that he gives
to the witch with whom he lives.
134
He is lucky, though not rich,
since his wife is a good witch.
135
He likes rambling by the steep
with his goats and with his sheep.
136
She with magic and great ease
averts danger and disease.
137
Thats her skill, a Heavens gift,
to see far and catch the drift.
138
For a shepherd shes a treasure,
reasons Paris, beyond measure.
139
Neither goats nor wooly sheep
could inspire a love so deep.
140
That his wife he soon will leave
Paris cant as yet conceive.
141
Now he says, You are my love,
youre my sweetest, whitest dove.
142
And she melts though nicer words
she hears often from the birds.
143
Theres no doubt that a sharp dart
Love has planted in her heart.
144
On and on the birds keep warning,

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He will part and youll be mourning.

145
But for her this admonition
is a wrong, false intuition.
146
Thus goes Day and thus goes Night,
Sun is hope and Moon is fright.

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10. The Three Birds

147 In Mount Ida, sunny morning,

someone told him words of warning:
148
Why you, Paris, have no itch
to be famous, to be rich?
149
And how come that you your life
waste with such a wretched wife?
150
If you stay with all these sheep
you will never riches reap.
151
Let instead your looks so handsome
change your life and pay your ransom!
152
You, said Paris, make me curious,
though I rather should be furious.
153
Then the man said with sharp words:
Those three ladies with the birds
154
wish a certain fog to lift.
Would you help them for a gift?
155
Tell them once theyve left that cove
whether peacock, owl or dove
156
is the bird that you prefer
and a prize they will confer.
157
Grant this apple as a token
once your word you have spoken.
158
Near the ladies Paris came
with new dreams of love and fame.
159
Riches too were in his mind
with that apple intertwined.
160
But as Paris tried to speak,
all three birds began to shriek:
161
Look at me, I am no fowl.
Wise and prudent is the owl!
162
If you wish in glory walk,

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you must choose the fine peacock.

163
Fairest woman and her love
I will grant you, said the dove,
164
while projecting on a cloud
the fair woman it has vowed.
165
Its a queen of distant lands
that the bird puts in his hands.
166
Such magnificent a vision
puts out Paris indecision.
167
His hand raised, he ends the grapple,
and the dove receives the apple.
168
Instantaneously, a thunder
tears the shepherds heart asunder.
169
Within it burns now the fire
of a novel, strange desire.
170
Now the birds have gone, they fly
far away up in the sky
171
while in front of him, quite close,
grows a radiant, golden rose.
172
Paris leans against a tree
as his mind looks for some key:
173
I was ravished by a doze,
when I came here to repose.

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11. Prince Paris

174 Soon some voices Paris hears,

and the chink of swords and spears.
175
They are gentlemen from Troy,
who approach the shepherd boy.
176
Once assembled the whole group,
says the leader of the troop:
177
This is him, there is no doubt!
This is Paris, lets check out!
178
A dove branded on his chest
my assertion will attest.
179
Without troubling to concert,
guards remove the shepherds shirt.
180
What the captain has affirmed
is immediately confirmed.
181
Thats how Paris came to Troy,
led by soldiers, like a toy.
182
City made of him a lord:
wooden staff turned into sword.
183
Soon hes wearing golden armor
and the colors of a charmer.
184
Not one thought goes to his wife,
Paris lives a brand new life.
185
He turns pompous and grows proud
of the woman in the cloud.
186
Though shes married, the fair queen,
she fills up his inner screen.
187
From an egg she has been hatched,
Could such birth ever be matched?

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12. The Wooden Queen

188 Paris sails to fetch the prize

which he won for his advice.
189
Round his ship a wave splashes
as his helm in the sun flashes.
190
A dove flaps across the sail,
leads the ship upon its trail.
191
He arrives with great splendor,
with the looks of a big spender
192
since hes careful to conceal
that the queen he plans to steal.
193
Menelaus feels hes blessed:
To receive a Trojan guest!
194
So at dinner, as they seat,
Paris gets the kings best treat.
195
Later on, the king suggests
the most noble of contests:
196
Now to chase any distress,
let us play a game of chess.
197
Paris says, I wont abuse.
Since Im guest, you should not lose.
198
Do your best though you are guest.
Otherwise its no contest.
199
That he said as they both sat
the proud king, to end the chat.
200
A few moves define the game
and the gist of Paris aim,
201
which consists, as foreseen,
in just seizing the white queen.
202
Yet, while tightening the ring,
he exposes his own king.
203
Against time both run a race,

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no one wishes to lose face.

204
On the board, and with great tension,
the full hall puts its attention.
205
Paris takes the queen away,
but his king he leads astray.
206
Menelaus shouts, Checkmate!
But there is a turn of fate
207
when an unexpected dove
shakes the board with a hard shove.
208
The whole battle goes to pieces,
in the hall tension decreases.
209
Brave chess soldiers fall for good
on the floor, mere bits of wood.

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13. The Departure of Menelaus

210 Paris thinks, Ive never seen

nicer days nor fairer queen.
211
In the mornings he hunts boars.
Otherwise, the queen he explores.
212
Helens eyes show admiration
that soon turns into flirtation.
213
When nine days have thus gone by,
says the king with awful cry:
214
My grandfather I must see!
Hes infirm in such degree
215
that the council by his bed
has declared him fully dead.
216
Ive alerted the whole fleet
that Im now sailing to Crete.
217
His sad burial Ill attend,
and his body I will tend.
218
With his heart my heart Ill blend,
as one does with a soul friend.
219
Paris, please, ignore my plight.
Remain here, do delight!
220
My dear Helen, keep your joy
and attend our guest from Troy.
221
Ill be back in a few days.
May the gods prevent delays!

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14. The Seduction of Helen

222 That surprising proclamation

was the source of great elation.
223
And as soon the kings away,
Paris turns towards his prey,
224
the dove branded on his chest
urging him the dame to test:
225
During dinner, in a spoon,
the prince shows the queen the moon
226
as he pours a glass of wine,
slightly touching Helens spine.
227
Dust removes he from her eye,
with his hand on the queens thigh.
228
First he exhausts the dinner-talk,
then he invites her for night-walk.
229
In the garden, though its chilly,
he delights her with a lily.
230
And when Helen says shes cold,
the guest deems he should be bold:
231
To prevent whatever harm,
he protects her with his arm.
232
Trivial scene, but good example
of a flirt which turned more ample:
233
In the course of the third night,
guest and queen plotted their flight.

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15. The Flight of Paris

234 Thats how Paris royalty

came to grips with loyalty.
235
He loads riches and he boasts
that he has outplayed his host.
236
While he splits the house asunder,
the whole place he puts through plunder.
237
Helens daughter, future queen,
sheds her tears on the scene:
238
She cries, Mother, dont you leave
or Ill never cease to grieve.
239
The queen says as consolation
for her daughters desolation:
240
O my dearest, do not cry
as I now kiss you good-bye.
241
Then she takes her lovers hand
and both ride down to the strand
242
where a ship ready to sail
will forbid the flight to fail.
243
Once on board they hug, embrace,
with a kiss dismiss disgrace.
244
And while fever burns their hearts.
the ship hastily departs.
245
Then sings Paris impish glee:
What great wonder is the sea!
246
On the waves shines the same moon
that I showed you in the spoon!
247
This delightful undulation
fills my heart with fascination.
248
You and me on either side
of this sea we did reside,
249
but the sea did not divide,

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rather helped us with its tide.

250
Now these waves are source of joy
as they bring us far, to Troy.
251
When he finished that nice speech,
Helen looked towards the beach.
252
And when Paris glanced above,
from the sail glanced back the dove.

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III
THE ERRANDS OF
MENELAUS
Having attended the funeral of his grandfather Catreus, Menelaus
learns through a dream that Paris has abducted his wife and
plundered his home. Menelaus and Agamemnon contemplate war
to avenge Paris outrage, and decide to order their allies to mobilize
against Troy.

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16. The Funeral of Catreus

253 Menelaus is all weep

for the sake of Catreus sleep,
254
whom he buries in far Crete,
where he came with his black fleet.
255
Many sorrows and sharp stings
frame his torture when he sings:
256
Like the leaves fall from the trees
worn by bleak late-autumn breeze,
257
so mans craft plows alien seas
when strong gales her sail do seize.
258
Catreus, speak! Where youve withdrawn,
can your soul tell dusk from dawn?
259
Are there cities, is there gold?
Is it sunny, is it cold?
260
Shine stars radiant in the sky
or reigns darkness in the high?
261
Is death friendly and worthwhile,
or like men, nasty and vile?
262
Does death all despair appease
or is death yet a disease?
263
No doubt gods with you now walk,
but to whom myself will talk?
264
Moved by what the king contrived,
the dead man almost revived.
265
But the query was so deep
that the grandson fell asleep.
266
Now they lie both side by side,
he who sleeps and he who died.
267
Says a sentry to his mate:
As you see, death can sedate.
268
That could be, but I cant tell

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whos in Heaven, who in Hell.

269
Says the first: No doubt can pain
without mercy drain the brain.
270
His mate answers as he grins:
Death and Sleep are closest twins!

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17. The Dream of Menelaus

271 No one dares the king awake

nor the twins encounter break.
272
This weird scene we should not change
lest the gods we might derange.
273
Better keep the scene, though odd,
than at odds be with some god.
274
As they sang this gentle theme,
their teeth kept their merry gleam.
275
In the meantime, well downstream,
the king plunged into a dream:
276
He believed he was awake,
and saw Heaven in a shake.
277
Amid colors the most fair,
came a girl with put up hair,
278
saying, Leave! While you are here,
Paris steals your wife so dear.
279
On his ship he has let load
all your gold, hes on his road.
280
It will cost quite hard a strife
to get back both gold and wife.
281
You are sleeping, do wake up!
You must drain a bitter cup!
282
Thus spoke Iris, goddess swift,
who helps men to catch the drift.
283
His eyes opened with great fright
as his heart lost all delight.
284
His pain turned the apparition
into rage and into mission:
285
Hear ye gods whom I revere,
I know well that you are near.
286
Hospitality sincere

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I have offered to a peer,

287
who my assets held too dear,
having made them disappear.
288
Punish Paris, let him fear!
Let me hunt him like a deer!
289
If you guide my hand and spear,
his perfidious heart Ill tear!
290
That curse uttered he in Crete
as he put to sea his fleet,
291
and he sang on his way home,
his heart charmed by the sea foam:
292
No pain can, though huge its size,
greater pains forbid to rise.

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18. The Brothers War Council

293 Menelaus, once in Greece,

has ordained all feasts to cease.
294
He decreed troops to increase
and forbade to speak of peace.
295
Then he placed on his dark board
his own brother, the High Lord:
296
Agamemnon, youre my kin,
listen now to my chagrin:
297
Every realm here has a lord,
though its yours the mightiest sword.
298
Many kings have signed a pact,
meant to keep my home intact.
299
Since now treason is a fact,
we that compact must exact.
300
The High Lord said, well aware
of his brothers cruel despair:
301
Would you call war the best word
since away has flown your bird?
302
If the dames withstood seductions,
there would never be abductions.
303
Though this prince engaged in treason,
yet for war thats no good reason!
304
Please dismiss that foolish thought,
you are tired, much distraught!
305
If you ignore Paris example,
new offense, and much more ample,
306
these same Trojans could inflict.
Thats quite easy to predict.
307
War imposes heavy costs,
all resources it exhausts.
308
While abroad our army bleeds,

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grow at home our basic needs.

309
With the Trojans compensation
we may fund mobilization.
310
If in war you seek solution,
you might risk a revolution!
311
Theres already enough trouble.
Is your aim to make it double?
312
If you fail to inspire respect,
all our kingdoms will be wrecked.
313
You will not secure our power
just by resting in your tower!
314
Have you talked to allied kings,
deftly pulled the longest strings?
315
If you are indeed my brother,
should I first address some other?
316
Arent you brother and ally?
First on you I do rely.
317
These affairs are rather serious,
Im afraid youre quite delirious.
318
What if they our move resist
and dismiss our iron fist?
319
Say what else could our host show,
save for how it deals a blow.
320
The whole tale will not last long,
theyll yield frightened by our throng
321
when we show them they are wrong
with the sound of the war-gong.
322
Though persuasive be the speech,
it tells less than weapons teach.
323
That I wont ever deny,
arms good lessons do supply.
324
Let our friends just mobilize!
Theres no harm in exercise!
325
In fact, training brings no harm,
keeps the strength in mind and arm.

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326
My dear brother, one more question
by the way I wish to mention:
327
If our children shared one bed,
both our realms would better spread.
328
And indeed wed be more dreaded
if your son my daughter wedded.
329
Yet this theme I must postpone
while in bed I lie alone.
330
Now returning to my plea,
tell me which is your decree.
331
Its the rule of all good brothers
to unite in front of others
332
since all men find great delight
when they watch two brothers fight.
333
I will do as you request,
though I doubt its for the best.
334
Yet we carefully should handle
this uncomfortable scandal.
335
Prudent envoys well employ
to persuade the king of Troy.
336
With such words the Lord agreed
with his brothers iron creed,
337
sending word to every king:
Raise your armies and stocks bring.
338
We must gather the whole host
with our ships by Aulis coast!
339
That ordained the High Lord,
in all Hellas mightiest sword.

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IV
AT THE COURT OF
NESTOR
Agamemnons order of mobilization reaches the court of Nestor in
Pylos. The minstrel Demodocus describes what the gods have
ordained.

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19. The Overlords Message

340 Nestor listened to the bard

in his palaces open yard.
341
At the songs both men rejoiced
when a messenger, clear-voiced,
342
having been duly announced,
fateful words, like blows, pronounced:
343
This ordains the Overlord,
in all Hellas, mightiest sword:
344
Every king must bring his host
with his ships by Aulis coast!
345
Paris doused Trusts sacred flame,
host he plundered without shame.
346
Menelaus gold he took,
the hosts wife put on his hook.
347
We will not treason condone,
we dont leave our friends alone!
348
Gold and wife must be restored
by persuasion or by sword!
349
Either Troy condemns the abduction
or through arms will face destruction!
350
This ordained the Overlord,
of all Hellas mightiest sword.
351
Once he spoke, the herald left
as the king pondered on theft:
352
Why a man deems his own stuff
to be worse or not enough?
353
Out of hunger one steals bread
since pinched belly blocks his head.
354
But dear bard, tell for what reason
could a prince commit such treason?
355
Why would he whos rich risk war

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with no aim but to own more?

356
Says the man who words combines:
The gods know their own designs.

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20. Demodocus Song

357 Whether one is rich or poor,

theres for him no simple cure.
358
Many souls are immature,
children-like and yet not pure.
359
Pain they willingly endure,
mere possessions to ensure.
360
Hear what Heavens gods decided,
seeing that men are so misguided:
361
Let them fall in their own traps,
let their wacky world collapse.
362
Those who glory so much cherish,
by that same glory will perish.
363
Let all those who gold adore
be consumed by bloody war.
364
Let those skilled in lies, seduction,
be the victims of destruction.
365
Those who friendship have betrayed,
like mere shadows let them fade.
366
Let us whisper in their ears
that quite few are their best years.
367
That all men one day must die,
both the just and those who lie.
368
That their life requires variety
and the charms of high society.
369
That there is no better brain
than the one that thinks of gain.
370
In that way, through own abuse,
all discernment they will loose.
371
Let us goad their silly ambition,
leading them into perdition.
372
Let they deem dealings obscure

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to be perfectly secure.
373
Simpler time and simpler place
will succeed this hateful race!
374
Such, King Nestor, are the words
that at dawn sing the wise birds
375
which the gods have placed above,
to be free, to sing and love.
376
Yet no song has trickier words
than the songs of tricky birds
377
which suggest speech perception,
but are sounds for self-deception.
378
Thus had Paris no fair choice
when he heard that singing voice
379
on Mount Ida, Tweeteetwee,
you may choose me, me or me.
380
And whatever Paris chose
would result in heavy blows,
381
for cruel Strife the world will mend
and through war achieve her end.
382
Simpler time and simpler place
will succeed this hateful race!
383
Says King Nestor, Now I see,
that such fate well never flee,
384
that no longer are we free,
that well pay for folly fee.
385
True, each vassal gets reward
which fits perfectly his lord,
386
but hell be a vassal wise
who fool lords he dare despise:
387
You, dear bard, are wise and free.
You deserve the gods to see!
388
I obey that mighty lord,
who in Hellas cant be ignored.

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389
But cruel Strife controls our lord.
She will lead us with her sword!

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V
THE DEPARTURE OF
DIOMEDES
Before leaving for Troy, Diomedes and his wife Aegialia spend
some time with Cometes, a bard of Argos, with whom Aegialia is
secretly infatuated. On the eve of his departure Diomedes has a
dream.

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21. The False Song

390 Argos sky no doubt is blue,

but its men dont have a clue!
391
Here he sits a high minister
and false minstrel, quite sinister,
392
with untuned lyre on his knee
while Diomedes pays his fee.
393
Days ago mobilization
was decreed with celebration,
394
for a warlike kind of breed
rules this town with iron creed.
395
Sings Cometes, bard-to-be,
a false tune in more false key:
396
Once three goddesses, most vain,
prize of beauty wished to gain.
397
They to Ida flew to meet
shepherd Paris and compete.
398
Golden applebeauty crown
should one get and win renown.
399
Each of them removed her gown.
Would the shepherd then look down?
400
All the three offer a bribe
to help Paris to describe
401
just herself as the most fair
and as winner her declare.
402
Shepherd Paris, in this way,
turned to judge in just one day,
403
and to Hellas came to fetch
thats indeed limits to stretch!
404
the fair prize one goddess gave,
though she knew hes but a knave!
405
She was wrong, but they are two,

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who love Argos and whats true.

406
They will fight for the right side
and the enemy deride!
407
As such nonsense became free,
blushed the lyre on his knee.
408
But Diomedes, with no clue,
nothing better finds to do
409
than to have such tales inhaled,
and to them be throughly nailed.

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22. The Blush of Aegialia

410 Great, Diomedes, says his spouse,

is this music in our house!
411
Theres no doubt his inspiration
allows not of imitation!
412
More intriguing than his song,
says Diomedes, is our gong.
413
Though his song may be inspired,
he in war would soon grow tired.
414
But while I in far Troy bleed,
you may wish this good bard feed.
415
That was quite a lovely thought!
When youre absent Im distraught,
416
says the spouse, who cant disguise
how her blush comes, mounts, climbs, flies.
417
Though Diomedes sees her glow,
he decides it does not show,
418
for he thinks, Her pride might grow
and wed have a bitter row.
419
Whats this bard compared to me?
A white mouse or else its flea?
420
Hes too weak to come along,
just to force him would be wrong.
421
Let him sing his idle song
while I sail with mighty throng!
422
Let him play his useless lyre.
Who but me will she admire?
423
In the war Ill win a wreath.
With his song hell be beneath.

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23. The Wreath

424 Just before he would depart

dreamed Diomedes that his heart,
425
trapped inside a wooden horse,
moaned with sorrows and remorse.
426
Beast and heart were in the sky
when he felt his death come nigh,
427
and his fear so much grew
that a wreath he had to chew.
428
Gave its leaves a bitter taste
which on sweetness had been based.
429
Then he appeared on a mountain,
among trees, close to a fountain
430
where a nymph who in it bathed
sang, In war youll be unscathed,
431
but no peace again youll find
in your home or in your mind.
432
While these words came through her teeth,
on his head she put a wreath.
433
Then toward the spring he leaned
to have head and wreath well screened,
434
but as soon he had a look,
daylight came with its long hook.
435
He had just opened his eyes
when his mind began to advise:
436
Through which Gate of Sleep this dream
has preferred to cast its beam?
437
That of ivory or bone?
Lies or truth, what has it shown?
438
But both wreath and nymph got blurred
when a voice outside he heard:
439
We must gather the whole host

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with our ships by Aulis coast.

440
This ordained the High Lord,
in all Hellas mightiest sword.

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VI
THE ENLISTMENT OF
ODYSSEUS
Menelaus, Nestor and Palamedes arrive to Ithaca to persuade
Odysseus to join the coalition against Troy. Odysseus feigns
madness , but is exposed and blackmailed by Palamedes, who
threatens to kill Odysseus son.

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24. The Song from the Hill

441 Runs a song down from the hill

like a calm, transparent rill:
442
Simple place and simple time.
O simplicity sublime!
443
Know no ruin, know no wrack,
Breathe the air of sweet Ithk!
444
Simple time and simple place.
Fair simplicity embrace!
445
Peace is here, forever back.
Brights the sun of warm Ithk!
446
Simple place and simple time.
Up the hills to Heaven climb!
447
By clear day or by night black
goes the journey to Ithk.
448
Simple time and simple place.
In its soil youll find your face!
449
Does a storm seem to attack?
Seek your shelter in Ithk!
450
Simple place and simple time
will construct the perfect rhyme!
451
Into maze turns the old track?
Watch the waves of green Ithk!
452
Simple time and simple place.
Subtler grace and slower pace!
453
As that song came from the hill,
Time itself stood still till till,
454
till a ship came to the beach,
letting hear another speech.

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25. The Envoys of Ruin

455 Envoys landed from abroad,

with one mission: to defraud.
456
What theyll say, Odysseus knows:
Time has come to deal hard blows.
457
They an oath wish to exact,
arguing, All must now react!
458
Paris was a shameful act!
For defense weve got a pact.
459
They will quote the Overlord,
in all Hellas mightiest sword:
460
Every king must bring his host
with his ships by Aulis coast!
461
But Odysseus abhors war:
Its a trap, an open sore!
462
Here I live with woman fair,
love and song with her I share,
463
freedom stands beside my chair,
tender Peace plays with my hair.
464
Why should I a war declare,
for that Troy pay such high fare?
465
So Odysseus tells his wife,
These men aim to ruin our life.
466
They preparethese wretched three
troubles greater than the sea.
467
My best years off Id sweep,
like one dead or in deep sleep,
468
if my simple life Id trade
for hard armor and sharp blade.

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469
Once they are inside the house,
first-rate fool Ill play, my spouse!

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26. The Madness of Odysseus

470 Hail Odysseus! say the three,

Please attend our serious plea.
471
You have signed a formal pact
to keep Helens home intact.
472
On account of Paris act,
we that compact must exact.
473
Bring your ships by Aulis coast
and with them your well armed host!
474
Hellas host to Troy will sail
and by words or swords prevail.
475
Says the fool, Im glad to eat
with the chiefs of such great fleet.
476
My dear spouse, please bring the wine,
Ill have dinner with these swine.
477
She replies to him, Dont swell!
Says to them: Hes not quite well.
478
While his wife fetches the wine,
says the fool, Shes mad, Im fine.
479
Straightaway he grabs a sword,
with one blow he wrecks the board.
480
All three guests see fit to rise,
great alarm shows in their eyes.
481
Feigning cramp, he pulls his hair
while his sword destroys a chair.
482
When his wife comes with the wine,
he declares, We may now dine,
483
yet to pieces the bowl dashes
and the wine around them splashes.
484
Then he goggles at the air,
shouting out, Come, if you dare!
485
as if ghosts were him assailing

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or tormenting with their wailing.

486
Then he advances at a crawl
and strikes figures on the wall,
487
killing painted, black snakes
with such force that the sword breaks.
488
Palamedes, unafraid,
in an instant draws his blade
489
as Odysseus child he seizes
to destroy him if he pleases.
490
Hear, you fool! he says clear-voiced,
Now your floor is slightly moist.
491
Its the wine that you would waste
just to make us folly taste.
492
Under sword I have your son,
you should end your while of fun
493
or not wine but blood Ill pour
and the child will soak your floor.
494
You should wisely play your part
or your son will soon depart.
495
If youre mad, hes better dead,
if youre not, youd better dread.
496
Now declare what lies ahead:
Healthy brain or your child dead!

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27. Palamedes Chorus

497 Palamedes, hes so clever!

A shrewd man, hes got a lever
498
which allows no one to escape
his persuasion or his rape!
499
Hes a man with keen perception,
he discovers each deception.
500
He has learned from his old man
how to accomplish any plan.
501
Hes no prince, but he is bold.
High command he bought with gold,
502
which, while sailing on high waves,
his old man received for slaves.
503
Palamedes, youre so clever!
Will you now the childs head sever?

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28. The Enlistment

504 Palamedes, how your brain,

asks the fool, could we call sane?
505
Here you walk in my domain
and my child you would have slain
506
in the name of a campaign
which claims justice to sustain.
507
Its quite plain that you disdain
human hearts and human pain
508
as you expect more gold to gain
and more power to attain.
509
More than yours, my head is sane.
You dont need my child retain.
510
Ill no longer folly feign,
in my home I wont remain,
511
but your shrewdness will prove vain:
this campaign will be your bane!

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VII
PARIS BY THE NILE
Having abducted Helen, Paris sails homeward to Troy with her,
but his fleet is caught by severe winds, and he is forced to land in
Egypt where he runs into difficulties.

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29. The Immortal Nile

512 On high waves sails Paris fleet,

carrying offshoots of deceit.
513
Ravished queen he has on board
and the treasures of her lord.
514
Now to Troy his booty brings
while aloud he gladly sings:
515
What a marvel to be free!
See what wonder is the sea!
516
This delightful undulation
fills my heart with fascination!
517
Once I tended flocks of sheep,
now I sail and riches reap!
518
I once lived with wretched wife,
now a queen adorns my life!
519
Nothing else but to be bold
gives fame, women, power, gold!
520
As he sings that in false key,
more upset becomes the sea,
521
which so high raises each wave
as is deep a dead mans grave.
522
Heavy storm and piercing rain
of his song seem to complain.
523
Then prince Paris sees an isle
where the sea receives the Nile.
524
There he steers his dark-prowed ship
lest the storm curtailed his trip.
525
As his troops camp on the coast,
feeling safe, they start to boast:
526
Once bestriding a high wave,
drowning dolphins I could save.
527
Once I rescued a huge whale:

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on its back I raised a sail!

528
Once I slaughtered five six sharks.
Of their teeth here see the marks!
529
Then said Paris, Lets meat roast,
my sweet queen looks like a ghost.
530
But divine was Helens smile
as she watched the immortal Nile.

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30. The Flight of the Slaves

531 The next morning, sunshine shows

a white temple rather close,
532
where two men with long white hair
at their camp dont cease to stare.
533
Bring to light how come these two,
Paris says, their eyes here glue.
534
A young man walks to the shrine,
his hand waving a peace sign.
535
The three men in conversation
seem to exchange rich information
536
with most friendly animation
and quite trustful relaxation.
537
Of a peaceful, sane vocation
they seem worthy decoration.
538
Yet the soldier, coming back,
says, This shrine we should attack.
539
In this templeworst infection
escapees receive protection.
540
Having heard the soldiers words,
flee four slaves swifter than birds
541
to the shrine where the old men
gladly tell them, Heres your den!
542
Says prince Paris, Thats insidious,
that confirms this place is hideous!
543
A stern law well teach these apes:
A good slave never escapes!
544
Such a law amused the troop
which delivered a loud whoop:
545
We will have a lively feast
with boiled slave and roasted priest!
546
Then a man with long white hair,

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a long staff and more long glare,

547
from the distance shouts, Beware,
and address to Heaven prayer!
548
For your prince is but a thief,
and his loot a source of grief !
549
Shouts back Paris, What I own
comes from Heaven, thats well known!
550
Rather you are playing thief.
Slaves restore or suffer grief !
551
Better wisely you decide
or Ill burn you all inside!
552
Are there slaves in our shrine?
No, free men by will divine.
553
Youll have shortened your own time
if you add disgrace to crime.
554
Pit against this shrine your squad
and youll fight a mighty god!

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31. The Battle of the Nile

555 Such winged words they intertwined

as each other they maligned.
556
Neither could his post resign
nor guess how they should combine.
557
Then a local force appears,
carrying swords and two-edged spears.
558
Their chief drives, with gestures bold,
a fine chariot in pure gold,
559
drawn by horses white like snow
which long manes were made to grow.
560
Asks the golden-mailed commander:
Are you Paris-Alexander?
561
Paris says, Yes, I am he.
Who you are, explain to me.
562
I protect this sacred isle,
I am warden of the Nile.
563
Put your arms in our care.
Please be clever, lets souls spare!
564
Paris tells the archers: Shoot!
The Niles warden do salute!
565
They obey, and arrows fly.
He confirms, Thats my reply!
566
Cut the hawsers! Move the fleet
while with arrows you them greet!
567
Better flee than taste defeat,
shoot at them as you retreat!
568
Thus with curses on their lips
Paris men came to the ships.
569
The crew dashed in with the oars,
giving up those hostile shores.
570
Then came Paris happy glee:

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What great wonder is the sea!

571
Look how small the swordsmen seem
on the coast, beyond the stream!
572
Neither spear nor bow nor sword
can impact on those on board.
573
Todays lesson is that archers
may secure abrupt departures!
574
Then he added: Dreadful coast!
My sweet queen looks like a ghost.
575
But divine was Helens smile
as she watched the immortal Nile.

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VIII
THE CHOICE OF
ACHILLES
The goddess Thetis fails to make her son Achilles immortal. So to
save him from the coming war, she disguises him as a girl, hiding
him in the court of King Lycomedes where Achilles and the kings
daughter become lovers. Following certain oracles, Odysseus comes
to the court of Lycomedes in Scyros to persuade Achilles to join the
coalition against Troy.

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32. The Gate of Death

576 Watching those wholl fight at Troy,

find the gods their greatest joy
577
in Achilles, golden boy,
whom cruel Fate will soon destroy.
578
Thetis, goddess of the sea,
was his mother by decree.
579
She employed the highest arts
to remove his mortal parts,
580
and among some other tricks
she immersed him in the Styx
581
to curb Fates abhorred design
and reshape him full divine.
582
Thus the rules ordained by Fate,
she by spells would desecrate:
583
Muscle, sinew, flesh and bone:
Raise a clean, immortal tone!
584
With ambrosia be anointed,
have mortality disjointed!
585
And she prayed: Please, Fate, resign!
But the babe stayed half-divine
586
since incised he had a seal
Gate of Deathin his right heel.
587
This as well had Fate ordained:
Be Achilles to Fame chained
588
if as youth he dies in war,
but let Fame this boy ignore
589
if he lives a calm, long life,
stays at home, avoiding strife.
590
Thetis then conceived a ploy
to avert the threat from Troy.
591
This she thought: Dressed like a girl,

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he might flee the fateful whirl.

592
So as Thetis last resort,
her son lives in foreign court,
593
for the king she has deceived,
her own heart to have relieved.
594
Lycomedes, the isles king,
does not know, suspect a thing.

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33. A Cure for Deidamia

595 The whole court believed the tale

that the boy is not a male.
596
He received a maidens name
and all said, Shell be a dame,
597
who being pretty as shes tame
will soon get all mens acclaim.
598
But Deidamia, the kings girl,
seized by passion and its whirl,
599
of that beauty seeks the key
by addressing loving plea:
600
Why, dear Pyrrha, run in flame
within me through every vein
601
burning fever, sudden strain,
every time I hear your name?
602
And why sweat runs down me, cold,
while my limbs shake uncontrolled
603
when your figure I behold
or your hand by chance I hold?
604
Why your voice, music most sweet,
makes my ears like hammers beat?
605
Why your name I must repeat
to make longing taste defeat?
606
I suppose you might have cure,
though your sickness seems obscure.
607
Say what cure if you are sure
since no more I can endure.
608
If my lips perchance touched yours,
would fair Cure open her doors?
609
If my hands caressed your hair,
would their warmth end your despair?
610
Says Deidamia, That could be

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if you were as sick as me.

611
For one instant Time held still
his immortal grinding mill.
612
Silence came like an eclipse
and the lips caressed the lips.

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34. The Visit of Odysseus

613 Years ago, Calchas, the seer,

said to all who wished to hear:
614
Sing the birds that well destroy
to the ground the pride of Troy,
615
that ten years it will take
Troys resistance fully break.
616
First Achilles is our mission,
he must join the expedition!
617
Through all Hellas flew his words,
helped their course both men and birds.
618
And as now a mighty host
with its ships fills Aulis coast,
619
wish the chiefs Achilles find,
him they want with them aligned.
620
Comes Odysseus to the court
which is Thetis last resort,
621
but the king will not reveal
what he knows but must conceal
622
to protect his daughters life,
who is now Achilles wife.
623
Says Odysseus in the hall,
Please, wise king, do hear my call!
624
For a little bird has said
that Achilles eats your bread.
625
Neither tell that he has fled
nor that hes among the dead.
626
The king says, What do I know?
The young man left long ago.
627
Do you think Ill lose my thread
like the guest who lost his head
628
when, exiled in your grand isle,

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he was murdered by your guile?

629
I dislike this conversation
and your evil accusation.
630
I could not be more annoyed,
you of wisdom are devoid!
631
From a cliff, that is well known,
and by accident, not thrown,
632
Theseus fell while on a walk,
having climbed a lofty rock!
633
Now youd better my isle leave
or youll find a cause to grieve!
634
My dear king, on lies you ride.
You should not these matters hide!
635
If my aim I dont achieve,
it is you wholl pack and leave.
636
For the army will arrive
and as king you wont survive.
637
Hear my counsel: Dont betray,
the coalition do obey!
638
Never lie, but truth convey
without secrets or delay!
639
Choose with wisdom a safe way,
from the right path never stray!
640
If you now attention pay,
on your throne youll safely stay.
641
It was never my intention
to indulge in circumvention.
642
Ill speak plainly, but dont think
that your threats could make me shrink.
643
I shall bring my son-in-law.
He will fight or else withdraw.
644
But whatever his decision,
youll absolve me from division.
645
For no more can I decide
what my subjects bear inside

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646
than I could detain the tide
or the rainfall make subside.
647
Some men never renounce pride
nor their will would put aside.
648
Them no gold can ever buy,
they persist until they die.
649
He, besides, holds dear his bride
and by her wants to abide.
650
Then what gold fails to provide
will be granted by his pride,
651
for a mans most sturdy side
with his weakness does coincide.
652
Says the king to his adviser:
Tell my son to come, its wiser.

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35. Persuading Achilles

653 Come my son, here we are!

This good man comes from afar:
654
Hes Odysseus of Ithk,
hes been following your track
655
in the hope that youll attend
some request that hell commend.
656
Both of you Ill leave alone,
Duty calls, reminds my throne.
657
Says the guest, The clouds of war,
brave Achilles, I abhor,
658
but through Hellas blows a breeze
that says Troy you have to seize.
659
Paris doused the flame of Trust,
turned all friendship into dust.
660
The kings wife put on his hook
and rich treasures with him took.
661
If we let him Hellas trample,
new offense and much more ample
662
will the Trojans surely inflict.
Thats quite easy to predict.
663
The youth says, Whats that to me?
Be more brief and state your plea!
664
You must join the coalition
which is forging Troys perdition.
665
Why should I my arms display?
Rather I should love or play!
666
In this isle I aim to stay
till the day my hair is gray!
667
You may wish to see that day,
but you should however weigh
668
that with gray arrives decay

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and departs youths golden ray.

669
Thats each mortals given fate:
first to live then death await!
670
Yet Fate wants you to display
glorious deeds on your gray day,
671
not that you be forced to pray,
with no hope and much dismay,
672
that youd picked a wiser way
far from Lethes wicked sway.
673
All forget the man whos gray
if past deeds he cant array,
674
but they bid the brave, Please stay,
tell us more, pray, dont delay!
675
And when he has passed away,
praising songs will him portray.
676
For your sake a life most great
has conceived the loom of Fate.
677
Die young: fame. Die old: forgotten.
Thats what Fates loom has begotten.
678
To die old is my own choice,
in long life I will rejoice!
679
Whats the point, leave my sweet wife,
lose my life in bitter strife?
680
Such a life is but delusion,
you are victim of confusion.
681
It will be your sad conclusion
that naught gave this mad seclusion.
682
If Fates offer you thus waste,
you will have yourself disgraced.
683
By the gods youve been empowered,
yet proceed as would a coward.
684
You are crossing a thin line
when such words you intertwine!
685
Words though foul are less than acts.
Paris sword has hit our backs.

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686
With that wound you gladly live,
worse offense my words cant give.
687
Though your words you now have flowered,
through your teeth flew the word coward!
688
But it flew as with a wink,
just to bring you to the brink
689
where youll see what all might think
if from duty you dare shrink.
690
Youre no coward, that I know,
yet you should your courage show!
691
How could you of it bring proof
if you here remained aloof ?
692
I dont wish with you contend,
just to let you comprehend
693
that no life has man, but name,
which is rightly ruled by Fame.
694
Life at home with chatty bride:
could that fill a man with pride?
695
He whos left his pride aside
stays at home to better hide.
696
See Patroclus, your own friend,
who our realms will now defend!
697
His brave sword he wants to lend
and his blood with ours blend.
698
Yet the oracles demand,
for your glory and our land,
699
that you make a most proud stand
as our fleet reaches Troys strand!
700
Think again! Itd be a waste,
if Time had your name erased!
701
In Patroclus I do trust.
He does always what he must.
702
Him since childhood I have known,
he wont need to sail alone!

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703
I will follow this war gust
not for pride, because its just,
704
and Patroclus Ill protect
out of love and deep affect.
705
I will slay, tell your commander,
that prince Paris-Alexander,
706
and forever Troy shall burn
as we glory eternal earn!

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36. The Reproaches of Deidamia

707 Cries Deidamia, I dont agree!

War you choose instead of me?
708
What am I supposed to do
when I learn what you go through?
709
What I thought was our free wedlock
now appears as heartless deadlock!
710
Says Achilles, Please, be just!
What I do is what I must.
711
When our Hellas I defend,
its for you that I contend.
712
What if you had been abducted?
Should I then have war obstructed?
713
Is what if a valid case?
Youre just tired of my face!
714
Foreign sweethearts youll embrace,
prize of war shall me replace
715
while the tender love you swore
in my heart becomes a sore!
716
Where is tenderness, affection?
Have you lost all recollection?
717
Are your mothers fears vain?
Is she wrong, is she insane?
718
What the gods designs contain,
not one mortal can explain.
719
Owns man more than just a name
which he must protect from shame?
720
Is it not a bigger shame
to turn love into a game?
721
Solemn oath you gave a dame,
to adore her was your aim!
722
When you now mean that Loves flame

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has gone out, has she no claim?

723
And what else could I proclaim
but that you alone I blame?
724
I know well this is your bane,
that at Troy you will be slain,
725
yet I mostly feel the pain
that derives from your disdain.
726
For the love you could obtain,
youre unable to maintain.
727
Go to war and seek your fame,
kill and rape, make others lame!
728
But when arrow or cold blade
turns your soul into a shade,
729
of your choice you will repent
and your fate you will lament.
730
Down Achilles back run shivers
as the girl her words delivers,
731
but by drinking her warm tears
he dismisses those new fears.
732
Then this song came from the garden,
and her heart could no more harden:
733
It is Love and Love again,
who through love produces pain,
734
fills the heart with constant strain,
shuts the gates of any brain.
735
Yet of gold is made Loves chain,
and immortal is the gain
736
which all men with ease attain
when they live in Loves domain.
737
An old man thinks hes a child
since at age Loves eyes have smiled,
738
and Love makes the beast most wild
gentle, calm and tame and mild.
739
From a well defended height
Love with courage chases fright.

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740
When her cloak unfolds black Night,
Loves warm torch shines the most bright,
741
and the evil, at Loves sight,
good become beneath his light.
742
No existing single plight
can resist Love or his might.
743
Love brings marvel and delight,
the whole world he puts aright!
744
It is Love and Love again,
who by love relieves all pain.
745
Says the girl, I judged amiss,
and she gives her love a kiss.

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IX
THE DIRE STRAITS OF
AULIS
Agamemnon has assembled the coalition fleet at Aulis. Yet the ships
cannot sail because the anger of a goddess prevents the winds from
blowing. Calchas, the armys seer, declares that the goddess will
release the winds if Agamemnon sacrifices his daughter Iphigenia.

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37. A Night in Aulis

746 From old Aulis choicest height,

seems immortal the dark night.
747
Agamemnon sees his host
well deployed along the coast.
748
Its a most impressive sight,
watch the torches, see the light!
749
Like a jewel the camp gleams
while the fleet tames the straits streams!
750
Answers Calchas, the hosts seer,
letting blackbirds his mind steer:
751
Far too calm is the clear stream
as it meets a goddesss scheme
752
which forbids winds to exhale,
stays the stream, arrests our sail!
753
Soon, I think, the stream will flow
as the winds begin to blow!
754
Not before you yield to fate
and the goddess propitiate.
755
Otherwise her just disgust
will our plans turn into dust.
756
Whats this talk, Calchas? Explain!
I am not in abstruse vein!
757
It is Artemis, my Lord,
who your manners cant afford.
758
Are my manners not sincere?
Do I not all gods revere?
759
Profanation or omission
motivates her opposition!
760
When the Lord that verdict heard,
the camps fires became blurred.
761
Words so sharp flew through his teeth

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that his sword shook in its sheath:

762
Youre the father of frustration,
my main source of irritation!
763
Youre the slayer of elation
and a lover of damnation!
764
Why my ears just evil hear
every time your tongue words steer?
765
Whats the plot that you concoct
when your tongue you have unlocked?
766
What my tongue speaks any tooth
in my mouth will know as truth,
767
for the air that bears my words
is the same that holds the birds.
768
Not myself, but they declare
that your deeds you should repair!
769
Seers are men hard to describe.
Yours is quite a curious tribe!
770
Whats the cure which you prescribe?
Should I sacrifice or bribe?
771
That Ill say if on my path
never treads your royal wrath,
772
for a man should never sing
if the song upsets his king.
773
What protects me from your ire?
Seers too aegis require!
774
You should make your wisdom mellow!
Cant you be congenial, fellow?
775
Its my art a Heavens gift:
to see far and catch the drift,
776
to expose all risks and flaws,
fate reveal, teach natures laws.
777
If no oracle gave warning,
youd be prey to much worse mourning.
778
Youre annoying, but no harm

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you will suffer by my arm.

779
This I say as solemn oath,
though to pledges I am loath.
780
Its too serious! Do I dare
to be cause of such despair?
781
I have sworn! Do freely speak,
and explain what those birds shriek!
782
Wish the birds, unlucky king,
that your daughter you here bring.
783
Its for wind the fateful price
that her life you sacrifice!
784
Are you far out of your mind,
having left all sense behind?
785
How are made those of your kind?
Are your senses well combined?
786
Why your eyes are not yet blind
and the light they can still find?
787
Dont you seers give up sight
to see far and figure right?
788
That was true in former times,
long before we worked out rhymes.
789
Now our better disposition
has reformed that old tradition.
790
Kill my daughter? Its absurd!
Spill my blood to please a bird?
791
Would the birds just whims dictate?
No, they sing the song of Fate!
792
In two days come to my tent.
I must sleep, thats my intent!
793
Divine Sleep, who knows no pain,
and relieves from all strain
794
will postpone the laws of Fate
and my weary soul sedate.

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795
Ill resume thereafter pain
and Anankes heavy chain.

87
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38. The Dry Rain

796 Thinks the Overlord, next day:

How could I my sweet child slay
797
or else challenge the seers sway
and become the armys prey?
798
Him the host so much reveres,
fears, esteems, admires, lends ears!
799
Too well match Aulis grim straits
the dire choice that here awaits!
800
May the gods adjust his mind
and thereby my soul unbind!
801
While the king seeks holy aid,
Calchas tongue moves like a blade
802
as he strolls about the camp,
carrying daylight a lit lamp:
803
I have seen a snake today
nine small sparrows cruelly slay,
804
chilled the nestlings to the bone
as itself turned into stone.
805
This clear sign to sage men shows
that ten years will fight our foes.
806
For such time Troy will resist
with the hope that well desist.
807
While we wait though for that maid,
like a ghost our chances fade.
808
For each day that we delay,
add the gods years of dismay.
809
They might make us sail astray,
or abroad forever stay.
810
Its not sound to be at odds
with the birds or with the gods!
811
Calchas words, like heavy rain,

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thus engulfed the lavish plain

812
which whole cities could sustain
when its rulers were still sane.
813
Now it growsthe seers rain
crops of madmen, not of grain:
814
For how long well have to wait?
Cant our leaders be more straight?
815
Call a council, lets debate!
For departure, state a date!
816
We are bored, why prolong
the inaction of the throng?
817
How much patience must we pour?
Arent we here to wage a war?
818
Sings a bird, Men are like leaves,
though quite heavy are their greaves.

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39. The Choice of Agamemnon

819 On approaching the Lords tent,

Menelaus caught the scent
820
of disgrace when in the camp
he saw Calchas with his lamp.
821
Brother, these are no good news.
Let me know how you will choose.
822
Gropes its way the High Lords voice
in its search for a good choice:
823
How could I, my most dear brother,
kill one dame to fetch another?
824
How could I, to save your wife,
put my child under a knife?
825
Yet well find no good solution
in our armys dissolution,
826
for sedition will prevail
if we must renounce to sail.
827
Better is to die or fail
than to live in endless wail
828
like a pig crawl in the mud,
having spilled my own childs blood!
829
Yet of three, there is one daughter
who less aching makes the slaughter.
830
Whats the plan that you suggest?
Are you serious or just jest?
831
Iphigenia, though nice bud,
in her veins has not your blood.
832
But for us shes lawful child,
gentle, loving, tender, mild!
833
Too nice words you have compiled
to describe your bastard child.
834
Nonetheless was made this child
when a man my wife defiled!

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835
So you mean that to the slaughter
youd deliver your wifes daughter?
836
Itd be just that the solution
came from Helens contribution
837
since it is for her own sake
that on Troy we must war make.
838
Is this girl my wifes sweet flower
whom she grows in sacred bower
839
since your Helen would not feed
what produced her captors seed.
840
Her own tale this child ignores,
us as parents she adores.
841
She takes mother to be aunt
and aunt mother: thats the chant!
842
Its impossible to claim
that our blood is not the same.
843
Who can now tell truth from lie,
know the nature of this tie?
844
Theres no reason to reveal
the two sisters ancient deal,
845
but it helps us not to falter
when we bring her to the altar
846
where the gashing of her throat
may grant ships and troops to float.
847
The Lord grumbles: What a weight
to be chief and lead a State!
848
Tell me, brother, whats your choice?
Please, dismiss that weeping voice!
849
The whole host turns into mob
once it sees a single sob!
850
Think shes saving with her life
you, your children and your wife.
851
If you spurn this wise solution,
you might face a revolution

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852
which will ruin your great house,
kill your children and your spouse!
853
Nothing else but sacrifice
will clinch calm or pay the price.
854
And if true were Calchas tale,
winds will blow and we may sail!
855
I will follow your advice
and accept this vicious price.
856
Yet explain why the word rule
we must rhyme with the word cruel.
857
Why compassion seems misrule,
why, if mild, the kings a fool?
858
Let the poets or the birds
disentangle all those words.
859
Some men sing and others do.
Like the latter are we two!

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40. The Treacherous Letter

860 Brother, birds and winds and mob

make the head of the Lord throb.
861
Word he sent though to his wife,
whom he usually calls Strife,
862
that she join him, bring their child,
towards whom sweet Love has smiled.
863
Wants Achilles , he explained,
be as husband to her chained.
864
He cant wait to see the bride.
Quick, mount wagon, sail, or ride!
865
Now has Fortune turned the tide
and stands firmly on our side!
866
She was easy to deceive
since quite hard its to believe
867
that the master of a house
would mislead both child and spouse.

93
! "
 o______________________________ ______________________________ o

41. The Mob

868 Came the women to the camp,

set on fire by Calchas lamp.
869
Immolation! shouts the mob
which is led by a dumb slob.
870
Him Odysseus takes apart,
saying: Fellow, do depart!
871
Let some other, one whos strong,
wisely lead this angry throng!
872
Please, begone, simply retire,
or your skin will blood perspire!
873
Do not tarry! Dont delay,
or too high a price youll pay!
874
Now I go, says the dumb slob,
waits for me another job.
875
And he adds, leaving the field,
Who would ever to threats yield?
876
Now Odysseus tells the throng:
The High Lord cant be more wrong!
877
Theres no reason for delay,
we must soon the young maid slay!
878
I today her life will claim!
Were no fools, we have an aim!
879
Those who think the host is lame
will become the prey of shame!
880
Tell me whether Ill convey
to the king what we here say:
881
That the army will not wait
to obey the word of Fate.
882
That weve left children and mate
not to wait, but for things great!
883
Yes, Odysseus! shouts the throng

94
! "
 o______________________________ ______________________________ o

as some men beat the war-gong:

884
The High Lord is weak and wrong!
We want leaders who are strong!

95
! "
 o______________________________ ______________________________ o

42. Cheating the Bees

885 The High Lord was discontent

with Odysseus in his tent:
886
Is it praising a wild mob
your delight or your new job?
887
Or perhaps you combine both
as you trample on your oath?
888
Its my job and my delight
to relieve your woeful plight.
889
The wild mob now follows me,
says Odysseus happy glee.
890
If youre challenging my rule,
youll discover youre a fool!
891
I am helping your survival,
and your childs. I am no rival!
892
What exactly you contrive
as you incite that teeming hive?
893
Wrath is nectar for these bees
which no mortal can appease
894
since the mob will only trust
in what helps it to combust.
895
That is why I them extol,
and through trust Ive gained control.
896
Very wise! But still your lecture
cannot wholly ban conjecture:
897
Wheres the honey from these bees?
My childs life, the missing breeze?
898
The wild mob claims sacrifice
since the seer roused their vice,
899
but the council should declare
that its sacred this affair.
900
That few men will be allowed

96
! "
 o______________________________ ______________________________ o

to be present, not the crowd.

901
The wild mob Ill represent
at the ritual: theyll consent.
902
Your childs blood we will replace.
Her well send farther than Thrace.
903
Well protected by dark Night,
well arrange a guarded flight.
904
Now you speak like a true friend,
but the seer will contend!
905
Only chiefs, and thats the key,
will be present, besides me.
906
Not much choice will have the seer.
He would die, if not a deer!
907
Your resolve is made of steel.
My wifes heart your plan will heal!
908
Please, my lord, she must not know
that your child abroad will go!
909
Therell be time to soothe her wail.
Were more safe if she looks pale!
910
If she knew, wed risk to fail.
Save your child and let us sail!
911
You are versatile and cunning,
crafty, wily, you are stunning!,
912
Youre insatiate in deceit,
youre the worlds most clever cheat!
913
Blessed be your gentle isle
which gives birth to such grand style!
914
By the way, I wish to mention
a small matter, pay attention:
915
Palamedes, in my house,
has behaved like a louse.
916
If he starts a new dispute,
pledge youll listen to my flute,
917
vow youll stand along my side
on the day I face his pride.

97
! "
 o______________________________ ______________________________ o

918
Count on me! Hear my oath:
I already your foe loathe!

98
! "
 o______________________________ ______________________________ o

43. The Key to the Sea

919 All Odysseus had conceived

was quite easily achieved.
920
He attended each detail:
such a man can never fail!
921
Under most relentless threat,
bathed the seer in his sweat
922
till he felt that to comply
was far better than to die.
923
So no girl, but sacred beast,
to the altar brought the priest.
924
Then sent Zephyr a calm breeze
which appeased the camps wild bees
925
since they thought they held the key
to the paths of the wide sea.

99
! "
 o______________________________ ______________________________ o

44. The Birds on the Mast

926 Sail the ships and play with words

on a mast three sacred birds:
927
These events had a good end.
With that truth, would you contend?
928
One detail, though, they append
which could good with evil blend.
929
The king has, in his distress,
to his daughters death said yes.
930
How could then that strange solution
mean for him full absolution?
931
Can this truth be left behind:
that he killed her in his mind?
932
Sings its mate, And its a bane
that his wife is still in pain
933
since the king would not explain
that their child has not been slain.
934
While the lord so proudly sails,
in her home she loudly wails!
935
Then Achilles was abused,
and his namehes not amused.
936
Sings a third one, Tit for tat:
thats what Calchass working at!
937
The first deemed the sea more vast
than the sky, seen from the mast.
938
Then it sang as its wings stretched:
This poor kings among the wretched,
939
for though endless were the future,
still such wounds he couldnt suture!

100
! "
o______________________________ ______________________________ o

X
THREE TROJAN WALLS
Paris and Helens ship approaches Troy, being observed from the
beach by the seeress Cassandra, King Priams daughter and sister of
Paris. The city receives Paris and Helen with a parade.

101
! "
 o______________________________ ______________________________ o

45. In Troys Bay

940 Paris found the river Nile

untrustworthy, not worthwhile:
941
In its shores dwell longhaired knaves
who keep safe stolen slaves.
942
But being full of yellow bile,
to new coasts he brought his guile.
943
Thus wherever came his fleet,
prevailed plunder and deceit:
944
He in Sidon ran berserk
for the sake of handiwork,
945
and on Cyprus coast no village
could escape his troops wild pillage.
946
Then one morning he could say:
Look, sweet Helen, thats Troys bay.
947
See the ships, my dearest flower:
theres no greater naval power!
948
Its a city on the waves
which the sea solidly paves,
949
or the bays own woods, its trees.
In peacetime, a thousand keys,
950
but in war a swarm of bees
which no mortal can appease.
951
Well beyond them is Troys plain
fertile, rich, lovely domain
952
and on top of that proud height
stands the town, dazzling the sight.
953
Look, my Helen, the walls shine
just above those masts in line.
954
Gleam like gold Troys mighty walls
when the sunlight on them falls!
955
Helen saw the high walls shine,

102
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 o______________________________ ______________________________ o

yet more shone her eyes divine.

956
Then he said, I never felt
such a thrust above my belt.
957
Its my heart that boldly climbs,
though Ive seen this many times!
958
Theres a fragrance in the air
which evokes that of your hair,
959
and a light up in the skies
quite as golden as your eyes.
960
When the current of the bay
makes the ships on the waves sway,
961
sounds the wood of the calm fleet
like the steps of your white feet.
962
Says the wind as our names calls:
Your loves higher than Troys walls.
963
These emotions come from yore:
You and Ive been here before!

103
! "
 o______________________________ ______________________________ o

46. Castles in the Sand

964 While their ship plows through the water,

on the beach sits the kings daughter,
965
building castles in the sand,
a new world on the white strand.
966
Shes Cassandra, who sees far.
Her left eye shines like a star,
967
but her loves locked in a jar,
and her heart carries a scar.
968
Sing the birds that a god said:
Of the future, heres the thread!
969
Put it right inside your head,
through your ear, and do not dread!
970
Like a bow then your mind tread,
and your sight will widely spread.
971
Your old soul will then be dead,
but your new my light will wed.
972
Bright Apollo spoke those words
as referred by the wise birds
973
which to make the account complete
more declared in one tweet:
974
In my temple, let mild Sleep
all dark thoughts off your mind sweep.
975
A white snake will then appear,
touch your neck, lick your right ear.
976
Its shrill hiss that gives no truce
will a golden thread produce
977
which may set your new mind loose,
trap your old one with a noose.
978
When these things were almost done,
the girls parents, having fun,
979
the light covered with a shroud

104
! "
 o______________________________ ______________________________ o

as they cried and laughed aloud.

980
Thus a shadow, like a doubt,
was begotten by their shout.
981
The white snake from the place fled,
cutting short the golden thread,
982
as the girl, reached by the shade,
felt betrayed and was afraid.
983
When she woke, Cassandra said:
I wont never this light wed.
984
But the god who gave the gift
did reject her sudden shift.
985
Thus Cassandras truth, inside,
dark became as though she lied.
986
She complained, My bow is tread,
yet too shorts the golden thread.
987
The vowed soul with the snake fled
and my virgin soul is dead.
988
To see far is too hard strain
for the heart and for the brain.
989
It requires the gods protection,
his compassion, his affection,
990
since for all Im but a stranger,
a black dart, a source of danger.
991
Yet the god has caused to fade
all my power to persuade.
992
Thus my soul burns in its flame,
knows too much and yet its lame!
993
Should I go from door to door
like a beggar or a whore
994
while the visions I perceive
he would let no one believe?
995
Then why nod to sacrifice?
Asks the god too high a price!
996
For a bull that by the altar
nods its head and draws the halter,

105
! "
 o______________________________ ______________________________ o

997
knows the god, who sets it free,
more than me, who far can see!
998
Why should I my visions spout
if I seem to miss the clout,
999
be despised for my advice
and be called prophet of lies?
1000
Yet a visions like an arrow
for which tracks are never narrow.
1001
It will always hit its mark,
through thin light or through thick dark.
1002
Ah, the purpose of this god
is unjust or at least odd!
1003
When will someone understand
my white castles in the sand?
1004
Spots the woman Paris ship
which the waves seems to outstrip.
1005
The whole bay seems to catch fire,
she sees smoke the sky attire.
1006
Then she sings, Castles of sand,
how courageously you stand!
1007
But that ship I find just rash,
with its dash, its flash, its splash.
1008
Golden eyes bring the mishmash,
with its bash, its gash, its smash!
1009
Led by them, a thousand ships,
angry warriors, cursing lips!
1010
Thoughtless Paris! Do beware
of that womans scented hair,
1011
for the steps of her white feet
are stars guiding our foes fleet!
1012
Blows the wind with a deep roar!
Both your names are cause of war!
1013
Thus she sang as with one hand
she caressed a wall of sand.

106
! "
 o______________________________ ______________________________ o

1014
Then she sighed, Its all old lore,
I have built this wall before!

107
! "
 o______________________________ ______________________________ o

47. The Parade

1015 To the streets, people of Troy!

Sing and dance the dance of joy!
1016
Let us greet our great commander,
our prince Paris-Alexander
1017
and the queen with golden eyes,
light of beauty, gorgeous prize!
1018
Lasts their love beyond our time:
Its eternal, true, sublime!
1019
From the Lady of the Dove
comes this glorious, lofty love!
1020
Paris feels contempt for power,
wealth, dominion, wars black flower.
1021
All misfortunes will now cease,
chased by friendship, love, and peace.
1022
To the streets, people of Troy!
Sing and dance the dance of joy!
1023
As the herald those words sings,
Paris archers march in rings,
1024
carrying loads bursting with gold
which they narrowly can hold.
1025
At the sides of the broad street,
swordsmen make the crowd retreat,
1026
knowing well that wealth and treasures
should not part with safety measures.
1027
A long staff, crowned by a dove,
makes the people push and shove.
1028
Then a chariot, decked with wings,
new delight to the crowd brings
1029
while like sunlight the pair shines
as they gesture their love signs.
1030
Once again is heard the voice

108
! "
 o______________________________ ______________________________ o

that reminds them to rejoice:

1031
Let us greet our great commander,
our prince Paris-Alexander!
1032
Then the chariot disappears
far behind a wall of spears.
1033
Says a Trojan, What she wore,
Im quite sure Ive seen before!

109
! "
o______________________________ ______________________________ o

XI
THE INVASION OF
TENEDOS
Tenes reigns as king of the island of Tenedos, not far from Troy,
being protected by Apollo. But a misstep of his arises the suspicion of
the advancing Achaean fleet whichon its way to Troyattacks
the neutral kingdom. Achilles kills Tenes, Hemithea perishes, and a
sacred serpent attacks Philoctetes in a temple.

110
! "
 o______________________________ ______________________________ o

48. The Sacred Island

1034 Not so far from Trojan land,

floats an island, corn of sand,
1035
called White-Tenedos-On-Blue
by its little, peaceful crew.
1036
Bright Apollo, with a view,
changed completely the isles hue.
1037
He ordained that those on board
should renounce to wield a sword.
1038
Let us see, thought the bright god,
whether they can play peace-squad.
1039
To his son, Tenes, he said:
Of this isle youll be the head
1040
and youll never have to dread
if you never red blood shed.
1041
Take bread, olives, honey, cheese.
Let dark wine your heart appease,
1042
but dont let the island know
of sword, arrows, spears or bow!
1043
Then at sunrise hear the breeze
as it talks with the high trees.
1044
Hearing it, you will rejoice,
for therein youll hear my voice.
1045
Keep this tune and grief youll chase:
Simple time and simple place.
1046
Thus instructed by the breeze,
Tenes held of Peace the keys,
1047
and no realm, from East or West,
dared touch that holy nest.

111
! "
 o______________________________ ______________________________ o

49. Tenes Tale

1048 Tenes father on this earth

was a man of highest birth
1049
whose wit caused sometimes much mirth
on account of its low worth.
1050
He had taken a new wife
once his first had left this life,
1051
who persuaded him to shun
and expel his only son.
1052
But when Tenes reached the road
the long way which led abroad
1053
came a girl, who a colt rode,
to share Tenes heavy load.
1054
Hemithea, Tenes sister,
for whom parting hurts like blister,
1055
sings to him, How could I know
that my heart had been aglow
1056
if I first felt Loves sharp dart
while I watched you depart?
1057
Is your presence like a day
whether golden or else gray.
1058
Like the sun or like the moon,
like the morn, like afternoon.
1059
Like the singing birds, the breeze,
the bright stars or the high trees.
1060
Like the clouds or like the rain,
like plain joy or devious pain.
1061
Youre the day and youre the night,
youre the darkness, youre the light.
1062
Like this air, youre my breath,
youre my life and youre my death.
1063
Were you a bird, Id be a feather,

112
! "
 o______________________________ ______________________________ o

you and I must be together!

1064
Then her arms traced an ellipse
and she kissed her brothers lips.

113
! "
 o______________________________ ______________________________ o

50. The Double Axe

1065 Having shared their fathers ban,

both fulfilled the bright gods plan:
1066
Play the roles of King and Dame,
give the isle a peaceful name.
1067
Ruled their realm motto sublime:
Simple place and simple time.
1068
Thus the sky, most pleasant view,
for them shone in gold and blue.
1069
But today a foreign ship
will suggest a minor slip.
1070
On board travel clever traders,
who sometimes behave like raiders.
1071
Yet this islands holy soil
they will not turn into spoil
1072
lest the wrath of the bright god
ruined their lives with its dark nod.
1073
They instead make rich display,
turn the beach into a tray
1074
where they merchandise array
with no taste, without delay.
1075
Tripods, gowns, urns, rings now gleam
like the eyes which of them dream.
1076
Yet what makes the kings heart wax
is a brazen, double axe.
1077
Have you seen that labrys there?
Its a most exquisite ware!
1078
Its so sharp it cuts a hair!
See its flare! It scares the air!
1079
Sings the queen, You should beware
of sharp blades and of their flare,
1080
we should not sweet honey trade

114
! "
 o______________________________ ______________________________ o

for a bow or a sharp blade.

1081
Clubs we keep of steely stone,
could they not be root of groan?
1082
For what aim should we discuss
what the god enjoined on us?
1083
Its an emblem, not a blade,
theres a difference of grade.
1084
In the throne-hall could this axe
proudly hang behind our backs.
1085
Yet some rill you try to wade.
Why not hang a simple spade
1086
and thus save the heavy tax
that will take to buy this axe?
1087
Its the beauty of its shape
which lets not my eyes escape.
1088
Its a thunderbolt or moon,
but symmetric as high noon.
1089
It unites both left and right,
what is dark with what is bright.
1090
The blades mirror the worlds wheels
when the handle swiftly reels.
1091
Sighs the wind through the high trees.
Says the queen, Just hear the breeze!
1092
As unyielding as that axe
seem to me your novel facts.

115
! "
 o______________________________ ______________________________ o

51. On High Seas

1093 Leaves the ship laden with honey

as the captain thinks: Its funny!
1094
They who peace so much revere,
now begin to hold arms dear.
1095
The next time Ill bring two ships,
and besides the weapons, whips.
1096
For arms-lovers punish slaves
as they call themselves the braves.
1097
Thus he sings, the ships commander,
knitting canniness to candor.
1098
But then looking at the distance,
he requires good assistance.
1099
The worlds edge is out of sight!
Is that land or comes the night?
1100
Not at all, says the first pilot,
holding up his leather eyelet.
1101
In that sight theres no deceit,
thats a huge, enormous fleet!
1102
Are you drunk, out of your mind,
or your eyelet makes you blind?
1103
No sir, no sir, its a fleet
which we cant avoid to meet.
1104
Change our course, quickly retreat!
They move faster, we should greet!
1105
Lit a beacon, pennant hoist!
Its a shame the sea is moist!

116
! "
 o______________________________ ______________________________ o

52. The Interrogation

1106 The sun bathed behind the fleet

when a troop, to the drums beat,
1107
came on board the merchants ship,
casting all in terrors grip.
1108
Says Achilles, voice of steel:
I know well you sailors steal,
1109
that you always truth conceal
since you only in lies deal.
1110
Heres your choice: truth you reveal
or youll be the sharks next meal!
1111
Philoctetes adds, Youve heard!
To delay would be absurd!
1112
Tell at once in full detail
the true purpose of your sail!
1113
Says the captain, ashen pale:
We are merchants, buy and sale.
1114
Leads to Tenedos our wake.
Whats on boards for you to take.
1115
Says Achilles: Now reveal
all the facts of your last deal.
1116
They bought cauldrons and one axe,
paid with honey, simple facts.
1117
And since when are deadly arms
so much cherished in their farms?
1118
That myself I found quite strange,
but the world adores to change.
1119
Youre a brute! Keep your opinion!
This vast worlds not your dominion!
1120
Rather tell me how their backs
can now carry a sharp axe.
1121
Just one labrys I have sold,

117
! "
 o______________________________ ______________________________ o

and some cauldrons, one in gold.

1122
What I know is what Ive told,
just to guess would be too bold.
1123
Bold can hardly be whos frail!
With our fleet your ship will sail
1124
to the islescene of your tale
where you brought weapons for sale.

118
! "
 o______________________________ ______________________________ o

53. Aboard the Flagship

1125 Of disgrace I smell the scent,

says the Lord with discontent,
1126
for the council has prevailed
and my will has throughly failed!
1127
Is White Tenedos malicious?
Its just neutral, nothing vicious!
1128
Arent we here to punish Troy?
Why should we this isle destroy?
1129
And arent you and me good brothers?
Why did you support the others?
1130
Menelaus says alarmed,
Cant you see they are well armed?
1131
For what purpose? Wheres the threat?
Have you found an answer yet?
1132
None except that it could be
that the murky threat are we!
1133
For who else plans on this day
to destroy their soil and bay?
1134
We dont aim at intervention,
that was never our intention.
1135
But we now have informations
which suggest some aberrations.
1136
Just an axe, even if double,
is the cause of this new trouble.
1137
To invasion I must nod,
though it will displease a god!
1138
Agamemnon, to their charms
they seem eager to add arms.
1139
Theres no harm in our inspection
since the fleet keeps its direction.
1140
We should learn if in that place

119
! "
 o______________________________ ______________________________ o

arms have left their guilty trace.

1141
Mighty Troy we must attack,
yet we first should guard our back!

120
! "
 o______________________________ ______________________________ o

54. The Landing

1142 Says the slave, My lord, I feel

that grubs land our vessels keel.
1143
Im appointed here to say
that you shouldnt Tenes slay.
1144
If your acts these words deny,
by Apollos hand youll die.
1145
Such, my lord, your mothers words
which at dawn sing the wise birds.
1146
Says Achilles, Follow me
to remind me of this decree,
1147
but next time make a short speech,
to my patience youre a leech!
1148
When these words had been pronounced,
the dark ship with violence bounced.
1149
Then he muttered on the beach,
Some will learn and others teach!

121
! "
 o______________________________ ______________________________ o

55. The Death of Tenes

1150 A few peasants feel a chill

as Achilles climbs the hill
1151
where King Tenes built his palace
with no wall and with no malice.
1152
There he enters like a squall,
shows his pride in the throne-hall:
1153
Hail good king, your isle is small,
off this land I fear to fall!
1154
I bring greetings from the fleet
which will let you keep your seat!
1155
Ask your eyes and theyll agree:
the fleet covers the whole sea!
1156
But dont fear, were good friends.
When Im wrong I make amends.
1157
Whats your errand in this sea?
asks King Tenes State your plea!
1158
There are pirates in this zone,
hiding arms behind your throne.
1159
Neither arrow nor sharp blade
could my ban ever evade!
1160
Search the island! Be my guest!
For us weapons are like pest!
1161
Tell me, please, whether my mind
strives to have my eyes maligned.
1162
Maybe you or else your queen
may have eyes that are more keen.
1163
Tell me then: behind your backs,
do I see a double axe?
1164
Thats an emblem, not a blade:
theres a difference of grade.
1165
When a man turns into shade,

122
! "
 o______________________________ ______________________________ o

hes just dead and knows no grade.

1166
Hundred emblems could contrive
that no man remains alive!
1167
Dont speak nonsense, thats a seal!
Do beware of your right heel!
1168
I resent this conversation
and your wily insinuation!
1169
Leave this isle since youre at odds
with myself and with the gods!
1170
Now Achilles draws his sword.
What I say cant be ignored!
1171
Let the queen, of own accord,
come with me. Shell be restored
1172
if the intentions of her lord
would allow such a reward!
1173
So he said, and then advanced
as a lion when entranced.
1174
I dont trust that kind of pacts!
Tenes says, seizing the axe.
1175
But Achilles, his feet swift,
like an eagle seems to lift.
1176
Shakes just once his helmets crest,
and his sword cuts Tenes chest.
1177
Down his back run ghastly shivers
when his hand that blow delivers,
1178
and as Tenes hits the floor,
by itself opens some door.
1179
On his back lies the dead king,
but Achilles felt a sting:
1180
This dumb man cant be more dead,
but myself on my fate tread!
1181
Wheres your tongue, you stupid slave,
that in time no warning gave?
1182
Show yourself, you sucking leech!
You forgot the sacred speech!

123
! "
 o______________________________ ______________________________ o

1183
Comes the servant. Youre a knave,
shouts Achilles, meet your grave!
1184
On your blood my heart will gloat
as I cut your worthless throat.
1185
Then he drags him with a halter
all the way to the halls altar
1186
where he slays him like a sheep,
lets him bleed from a gash deep.
1187
Then he looks at the queens throne,
but the girl somehow has flown.
1188
Outside, voices speak of trace,
maybe base or maybe face,
1189
but he first rose from the dark
when he later heard the lark.

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56. The Triumph Speech

1190 Agamemnon on the beach

now delivers triumph speech:
1191
Look brave men with goodly greaves,
he who sees at once believes!
1192
The wild crowd is all aglow
when he puts the axe on show.
1193
Whats this axe which so well cleaves?
Could it help to cut grape leaves?
1194
No, High Lord, roars the host charmed,
they are pirates and well armed!
1195
And who makes this handiwork
through ill will or evil quirk?
1196
Trojan ware, comes from the East
where on human blood they feast!
1197
I do promise, men with greaves,
that this isle is free from thieves
1198
and that soon we will destroy
the retreat they have at Troy!
1199
No one stays this tough upheaval,
we have come to crush all evil!

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57. The Curse of Hemithea

1200 In the meanwhile, with a chill,

climbs the queen a sacred hill.
1201
In some temple nearby
some good friends will help her die.
1202
But when going through the door,
in the shrine, she hears a snore:
1203
Philoctetes, on the floor,
takes a nap, away from war.
1204
She walks past the sleeping foe,
to the altar brings her woe.
1205
Then she opens the two caskets
that contain the lethal mascots:
1206
golden snakes, bringers of sores
which of death open the doors.
1207
The small beasts now plunge their teeth
on her flesh, most willing sheath,
1208
and while singing Gods Beneath,
on her head she puts a wreath.
1209
Gentle vipers, take the life
of this widow, once a wife.
1210
And sweet Maiden, please receive
what the Fates no longer weave.
1211
Then she says with a deep breath,
Lonesomeness is worse than death,
1212
and she casts from her a snake,
saying, Go, that foe awake!
1213
At his foot the viper bites,
and he sees a thousand lights.
1214
The queen prays with quiet sigh,
Please bright god, dont let him die!
1215
Grant him fair accommodation:

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to survive in desolation!
1216
Out of pain let this foe cry
as in vain his years go by!
1217
Please bright god, shoot from the sky!
Grant this boon before I die!
1218
Sings a bird, Blue are the skies
The foe cries, Ow ow! She dies.

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XII
THE DESTRUCTION OF
TENEDOS
Tenedos suffers under the cruelties of Palamedes. Calchas persuades
Agamemnon to put an end to the excesses, arguing that Palamedes
influence is growing too strong. Agamemnon chooses Philoctetes as a
scape-goat, and sends him into exile under the custody of
Palamedes. In this way, Agamemnon expects to appease the gods
and prevent sedition. Agamemnon and Menelaus decide to send
ambassadors to Troy. The army leaves Tenedos, having made an
offering on the beach.

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58. The Fires of Palamedes

1219 Thus was seized the sacred isle

Divine Tenedos, the White
1220
by a host grim and hostile
that trust changed into fright.
1221
The new masters have one law:
to subject, steal, kill, cause awe.
1222
Says that man, the hosts most clever,
Palamedes of the Lever:
1223
The isle learns to fear their lord
and the host should not be bored.
1224
Let the troops find thieves and witches,
restore order, gather riches!
1225
Thus the sky in gold and blue,
in an instant changed its hue,
1226
so that women, men and beasts
became prey of crazy feasts.
1227
Then to make the island lame
and destroy its holy fame,
1228
they had felled the sacred trees
that conversed with the breeze,
1229
letting hear the bright gods words
and the song of the wise birds.
1230
At the end of the tenth week
seer Calchas hears a shriek:
1231
In this isle there is no haven,
sings to him the gods white raven.
1232
Seize your staff, go to the shore
and of Mercy find the door
1233
by compelling these armed fools
to obey the bright gods rules.
1234
Says the seer, Im your servant

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in this island, the most fervent.

1235
Sings the raven, Save your rhymes,
and just see to stop these crimes!
1236
On his way down to the beach
Calchas hatches a hard speech,
1237
and when meeting the High Lord
he speaks out: Your hateful horde
1238
is dishonoring your sword.
The gods laws must be restored!
1239
Says the king, Watch the blue waves
and forget those many graves.
1240
We both know that any war
must bring fire, tears, sweat, blood, gore.
1241
These waves lack the kind of water
that could cleanse this ruinous slaughter.
1242
You are sleeping! Do wake up
or youll drain a bitter cup!
1243
As you rest here on the strand
you are losing your command!
1244
Palamedes with his fires
tries to reach what he desires.
1245
He inflames the soldiers vice
with the hope to get a slice
1246
which may help him to expand
his prestige and his command.
1247
Whos distributing all shares,
gold and women, even cares?
1248
Is the hosts growing impression
that hes Master of Discretion.
1249
Like the dead that we watch rotten,
risks your rule to be forgotten!
1250
Having heard the fateful speech
which like wind lashed the beach,
1251
Agamemnon sees a shade
that reminds him of his blade.

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1252
I assume, he says, some cloud
may this island soon enshroud.
1253
Of such acts I cant be proud.
By all gods, Ill stop this crowd!

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59. The Meander and the Archer

1254 Says the king and Overlord

of all Hellas, mightiest sword
1255
as he holds council of war
on the islands sandy shore:
1256
Palamedes, field-commander,
your wit looks like a meander.
1257
Sinuous, winding, coiling, curling,
like the waves and like their whirling.
1258
Sang the birds in just one tweet
that youre needed by the fleet.
1259
Them heard Calchas whose keen ear
knows no limit, no frontier.
1260
And indeed we must admit,
that like water is your wit.
1261
Youre best fitted for the waves
which for you are loyal slaves!
1262
Palamedes sees a shade
and he doubts: Am I betrayed?
1263
But the shade he soon denied
through conceit, ambition, pride.
1264
Speaks again the mighty Lord,
Thats my first and sole reward.
1265
Philoctetes, you are next,
but your case is more complex.
1266
Sing the birds you are polluted,
that your blood has been diluted,
1267
that for rape youll cry and whine.
Youve defiled both queen and shrine!
1268
Lemnos is your destination,
your long future, your location.
1269
Palamedes, with one ship,

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will be warden of your trip,

1270
and his brilliance will ensure,
that your absence grants us cure.
1271
We cant keep you! Youre at odds
with the birds and with the gods!
1272
Here remains what you have owned,
just give thanks you wont be stoned!
1273
Philoctetes sees a shade
like the vipers of the maid,
1274
who awoke him in the shrine
with a terrible design.
1275
Now his foots an open sore
pus, secretion, debris, gore
1276
which deprives him of sound sleep,
fills his eyes with bitter weep.
1277
He replies, I wont concede
that Im author of that deed,
1278
but since you must deal this blow,
let me please retain my bow!
1279
Calchas hand waves opposition,
but the king grants the petition
1280
since he deems that royal strength
through benevolence gains length.

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60. No Less No More

1281 The next night says the High Lord

Agamemnon, mightiest sword
1282
to his brother, Spartas king,
of the wounded wedding ring:
1283
Palamedes and the archer
are committed to departure,
1284
but the former will return
and with him my own concern.
1285
Whats his passion? Desecration
and the armys admiration.
1286
His unbridled, wild ambition
is not far from plain sedition.
1287
While his ship is far away
we should sail without delay,
1288
send our envoys to demand
of this hateful Trojan land
1289
that they gold and wife restore:
Nothing less, yet nothing more!
1290
Menelauswounded ring
says, I too despise his fling.
1291
The bright god we should appease
and sedition simply squeeze.
1292
Then he glances at a star
and confirms: We are not far.
1293
Let us soon visit Troys strands,
let our envoys shake their hands!
1294
Among them should be your brother,
and Odysseus, and none other.
1295
For I think that for this crew
the best number should be two.

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1296
Agamemnon says, Agreed!
Your advice Im pleased to heed.

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61. On a Golden Tray

1297 In White Tenedos, disgrace

has transformed the islands face.
1298
Temples, houses were destroyed
by a jealous, noisy void.
1299
Where before the hight trees stood
the host gathers heaps of wood.
1300
Where it blew the friendly breeze
play now rats with hideous fleas
1301
which the isle throw to its knees
with corruption, dirt, disease.
1302
Where King Tenes had his palace
plain abode, devoid of malice
1303
theres debris, trash, garbage, junk
resting place for soldiers drunk.
1304
Once there were no virgins left,
the host gave itself to theft.
1305
Nothing else but to be bold,
gives fame, women, power, gold,
1306
sang carousing the wild host,
never tiring of their boast.
1307
But today an angry ghost
like an omen, like a sign
1308
hovers, gleams about the coast
as the host pretends to whine.
1309
Calchas altar floods in red
when he says, Repent and dread!
1310
For the god you have offended
will respond in manner splendid.
1311
Please, bright god, send from the sky
your affection, your love sigh!
1312
Stay your wrath, your indignation

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for our pride, our aberration!

1313
Do forgive our profanation
and accept this dedication.
1314
With that brief and somber prayer
wished the seer close the affair.
1315
But the god on that same day
put their crimes on golden tray
1316
which he keeps under a ray
that brings darkness and dismay.
1317
Yet believed the mighty squads
they at peace were with the gods
1318
when they dashed in with the oars,
giving up the islands shores.
1319
And the wardens of the isle
a reduced armed force
1320
could as well dismiss remorse
and the dread of the gods trial.
1321
Dives a bird in its own pace
far above their naval base.

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XIII
THE AUDACITY OF
PALAMEDES
Tenedos suffers under the cruelties of Palamedes. Calchas persuades
Agamemnon to put an end to the excesses, arguing that Palamedes
influence is growing too strong. Agamemnon chooses Philoctetes as a
scape-goat, and sends him into exile under the custody of
Palamedes. In this way, Agamemnon expects to appease the gods
and prevent sedition. Agamemnon and Menelaus decide to send
ambassadors to Troy. The army leaves Tenedos, having made an
offering on the beach.

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62. Torrents of Abuse

1322 Palamedes, the Meander,

who is now the fleets commander,
1323
sails to Lemnos with one ship
on a doubtful, unsound trip.
1324
Rotten Foot he has on board
Philoctetes, the hurt bowman
1325
whos regarded by the horde
as the ghost of a bad omen.
1326
Find the soldiers relaxation
in affecting indignation
1327
as they hide their desecrations
under heaps of defamations:
1328
Hes as dirty as a swine.
Rape a queen in her own shrine!
1329
And I heard he did it thrice.
Thats the measure of his vice!
1330
First he kills her, someone said,
then he rapes herwhen shes dead!
1331
And that foot! Miasma, stench!
Keep it far from my own bench!
1332
Such a rogue should have been stoned,
flayed alive or else deboned!
1333
With such songs they killed the hours,
much like goats eat up the flowers.
1334
Yet they soaked themselves with wine
to get courage to malign.
1335
So quite slurred was their speech
when they came to Lemnos beach

139
! "
 o______________________________ ______________________________ o

1336
where the archer got a truce
from those torrents of abuse.

140
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63. Rotten Foot

1337 Palamedes waves his hand

to some Lemnians on the strand
1338
as he cries, Whos in command
of so many grains of sand?
1339
Asks one Lemnian, Whats your mission?
Have you got the kings permission?
1340
I bring one for desolation,
solitude and isolation
1341
in the wasteland of your isle
where you cast the mean and vile.
1342
We cant keep him! Hes at odds
with the birds and with the gods.
1343
Him well take, if you agree
to cough up our lawful fee.
1344
We wont take your wine or oil,
bring your gold or leave this soil!
1345
Palamedes pays the fee
which he puts under a tree
1346
heavy chest, bursting with gold,
which he only just can hold
1347
while a Lemnian, black with soot,
chains the arm of Rotten Foot.
1348
Then they lead him through the day
to the place where he will stay.
1349
Its a rough, a harsh terrain,
without plants and with no rain,
1350
but with science to entertain
life and death with same disdain.
1351
Beasts and men say, Heres the reign,
of a deep, unbridled pain.
1352
Its obscure, it is arcane,

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 o______________________________ ______________________________ o

its impossible to explain.

1353
And the rocks which are most sane
since more patience they contain
1354
with their forms seem to complain
of this sad and grim domain.
1355
Here the guard removes the chain,
saying, Go down by the lane!
1356
Youd walk better with a cane
if some wood you could obtain.
1357
Rotten Foot looks back again
at the fields with grapes and grain.
1358
Not far, standing on the plain,
sings a witch a snide refrain:
1359
Philoctetes, foot or brain:
Can you stand such heavy strain?
1360
Shoot the winged, yet complain
as you sacred birds have slain.
1361
Otherwise, not foot but brain
you will find the most insane!
1362
Still remember, thats a bane!
Though dead birds your life sustain,
1363
each death adds one day of pain,
Philoctetes, foot or brain.

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64. The Trojan Traders

1364 In the meantime, on the beach,

the air fills with Trojan speech
1365
as some merchants their ship berth
amidst laughter, jokes, much mirth.
1366
The two ships swing side by side,
theyre so close they could collide.
1367
Palamedes, the Meander,
talks to them with rare candor:
1368
You have moored your ship so close
that I thought you were our foes.
1369
Answers him the merchants chief,
Its the water thats so brief.
1370
Just as narrow is this firth
as is lean a maidens girth.
1371
Come on board and well design
a wide gulf filled with dark wine!
1372
Says Meander, Now the sun
has its daily bath begun.
1373
With some friends Ill come on board.
For your wine youll have reward,
1374
and some games we might devise
with the help of my own dice.
1375
You are right about the sun,
says the merchant, said and done!
1376
Seems immortal the young night
and more narrow Lemnos straits
1377
as the merchants, with delight,
help on board their foreign mates.
1378
Soon with friendly animation
and most trustful relaxation
1379
they engage in conversation

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and exchange rich information.

1380
We are loading Lemnian wine,
says the trader, the most fine.
1381
Back in Troy they will esteem
its taste, color, fragrance, gleam.
1382
But this time theyll have to wait
and have patience: well be late.
1383
Damn old harbor! Muddy bay!
Thats the cause of our delay.
1384
Its the river, old Scamander,
who is furiousso tells Slander
1385
against Paris-Alexander,
our young prince and high commander.
1386
So Scamander turns the bay
into mud, wood, silt and clay.
1387
It defeats all navigation,
makes ships look like a plantation.
1388
Theyre the bays own woodsits trees,
which each other seem to squeeze!
1389
Palamedes sees a light
as his brain starts to ignite.
1390
He says calmly, Youre a bore,
but Im glad you found this shore.
1391
Then he shouts with a deep roar,
Im your fate, your graves dark door!
1392
And that said, he draws his sword:
with one blow he wrecks the board.
1393
His men threaten, To the floor!
Do not move, mercy implore!
1394
Now the merchants, ashen pale,
beg and howl, sob, moan, yelp, wail:
1395
Please, good lords, death dont awake!
Whats on boards for you to take!
1396
Says the captain, the most clever,
Palamedes of the Lever:

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 o______________________________ ______________________________ o

1397
Like good friends we now will sail
to the bay, scene of your tale.
1398
Were no pirates, my good traders,
were no thieves nor are we raiders.
1399
Yet our eyes must see those trees,
how they pack, jam, shove, cram, squeeze.
1400
If its true what you recite,
then you may dismiss your fright.
1401
But youd better start to dread
if with lies youve filled my head!
1402
No, sir, no! Theres no deceit!
Thats the plight of the whole fleet,
1403
answers him the traders chief
with a sigh of true relief.
1404
Thats enough! On your feet!
Well soon learn if youre a cheat.
1405
Let us sail without delay!
Youll escort us to Troys bay!
1406
Says the trader with a smile,
Yes, indeed! Lets leave this isle!

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65. The Burning of the Fleet

1407 Like two shadows the ships glide

as they sail by the bay wide
1408
where the Trojan ships form lines
with vagarious, weird designs.
1409
Rigging, sails, masts, ropes and oars
hide at dusk the Trojan shores,
1410
weaving such a freakish net
as would be a madmans fret
1411
while dark hulls in disarray
fill the muddy, dirty bay.
1412
Thinks Meander, the most clever,
Palamedes of the Lever:
1413
Whats this chaos, this pell-mell,
this disorder, this foul smell?
1414
By whose hand has this been made?
Whoses the mind that Form betrayed?
1415
Theres no sense of composition,
this no doubt deserves ignition.
1416
In his mind the smallest fraction
lies between his thought and action.
1417
So the merchant ship caught fire
like a song catches its choir.
1418
On the deck flood wine and oil
which quite soon begin to boil
1419
while the traders, now well tied,
will quite soon be throughly fried.
1420
Lead the flames in right direction
to the ships! Theres no protection!
1421
shouts the captain, the Meander,
Palamedes, fleet commander.
1422
Even he remains perplex,

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watching next burn next and next

1423
till the whole bay is on fire
and thick smoke the sky attire.
1424
Theres no longer Trojan fleet:
fire consumes as does the heat,
1425
he thinks puzzled by success,
by the warmth of its caress.
1426
Then he orders his dark ship
to resume the previous trip.

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XIV
THE AMBASSADORS
AT TROY
Menelaus and Odysseus, Achaean ambassadors, come to Troy to
demand the restoration of Helen and the Spartan gold. An
agreement is reached, but is later revoked because of an unexpected
event. The envoys leave empty-handed, having closely escaped
execution.

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66. Chez Antenor

1427 Sits Antenor in his yard

with a friend, a vatic bard,
1428
as the Trojan afternoon
seems with tokens to be strewn.
1429
Sings the bard with mellow voice,
Through Scamanders plain rides Choice
1430
with two heads, two tongues, two crowns,
on the winds of many towns.
1431
Choice knows not her path, her will,
and its pliant like a rill
1432
when for being at its source
has not yet got a firm course.
1433
But she feels the drive, the urge
which commands her to emerge.
1434
Whether blessing or else scourge,
Choice obeys a pristine surge.
1435
Still its pliant the rills course
when it meets a gentle force.
1436
Such, Antenor, are the words
which at dawn sing the wise birds.
1437
And I here conclude this song
since quite soon well hear a gong.
1438
So he sings, and at the gate
sounds a gong, struck by Fate.
1439
The two friends find fit to rise
as three gentlemen appear.
1440
Says a herald, voice most clear:
Dear Antenor, Elder wise,
1441
I express my admiration
for the poets inspiration,
1442
for his wit, his dedication,

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 o______________________________ ______________________________ o

for his heart, his sane vocation.

1443
To interrupt is aberration,
I regret causing frustration.
1444
Yet the source of my oration
is King Priams convocation.
1445
He requires you by his side
for the counsel youll provide.
1446
Foreign envoys swiftly ride
through Scamanders plain, the wide.
1447
They expect us to decide
on the fate of Paris bride.
1448
Thats the end of my commission.
Ill now leave with your permission.
1449
As they go, says the musician
to his friend, the politician:
1450
Youre a man of intuition.
Will the envoys will and mission
1451
meet acceptance, recognition,
or resistance, opposition?
1452
Says Antenor, the patrician,
with a novel disposition,
1453
We might perfectly agree,
or divergewe shall soon see.

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67. The Negotiation

1454 Says King Priam from his throne

with a solemn, heavy tone:
1455
In the halls of lofty Troy
Justice never walks alone,
1456
since her spirit is the bone
and the flesh that we employ.
1457
We shall hear these envoys plea
until Justice shows the key
1458
that dispels doubts, qualms, disgust,
and restores the reign of Trust.
1459
Let the Council find discretion
thats its duty, its profession
1460
and resolve this touchy question
in a plain, frank, open session.
1461
Spartas king! Ithacas king!
Speak the thoughts to which you cling!
1462
Says to all the Spartan king,
Menelaus, wounded ring:
1463
Whats the duty of discretion?
To remove, condemn aggression!
1464
Hospitality sincere
I did offer to a peer,
1465
who my assets held too dear.
Such a case cant be more clear!
1466
Gold and wife you must restore,
then will Justice show the door.
1467
Thats the key you cant ignore!
I wont beg, beseech, implore:
1468
Our black ships patrol your shore.
Honor Justice or risk war!
1469
Says Antimachus, the rich,

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 o______________________________ ______________________________ o

Heres the Councils first snag, hitch:

1470
That the issue is now set
just in front of a dark threat!
1471
This he means: Do as I say,
or I will for war array.
1472
What is there to debate
with an envoy whos irate?
1473
Says Antenor, Elder wise,
Lets dismiss any war-cries!
1474
Let us not too much surmise!
One word runs, another flies,
1475
but our hearts define their size,
how they fall and how they rise.
1476
To put words in right succession
with precision or discretion,
1477
is a gift or a concession.
Its a knack, not a profession.
1478
If one feels the Spartan king
failed to couple word to wing,
1479
let him not evoke wars stings
due to arid, faulty strings
1480
lest they turned into hard chains,
tying up both hearts and brains.
1481
If we clarity shall gain
we must listen to the twain.
1482
So Odysseus, please explain
the whole issue once again.
1483
Speaks Odysseus, steadfast heart,
from his genius not from art:
1484
Wise Antenor, without malice
we have come to Priams palace
1485
in the trust that our long road
led to Justices fair abode.
1486
From such trust now let the Council
take advice, direction, counsel,

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 o______________________________ ______________________________ o

1487
so that balance, not excess,
meets the sense of my address.
1488
Both in Hellas and at Troy
finds a man his deepest joy,
1489
not away, but in his house,
in his land and with his spouse.
1490
Thus my friend had a good life
which he once shared with his wife.
1491
And more still: he was well-known
for his pleasant, cordial tone.
1492
In each man he saw a friend
to whom give, entrust or lend.
1493
He in lavishness was dressed
since all men he would have blessed.
1494
So he never could have guessed
the betrayal of one guest.
1495
Should men then begin to fear
being welcoming, sincere?
1496
If we trespassed on these laws,
could we stop much greater flaws?
1497
By which rules should men abide?
Should they steal, betray, then hide?
1498
Out of hunger one steals bread
since pinched belly blocks his head.
1499
But, High Council, for what reason
should a prince commit such treason?
1500
Why rich men the law ignore
by caprice or to own more?
1501
By returning to the law
well dismiss all fear, awe.
1502
We just ask that you restore
Law and Justice. Nothing more!
1503
Says Antimachus, Dear friend,
you, no doubt, can phrases blend,

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1504
but some things per force transcend
the perspective you defend.
1505
Law and Justice are indeed
a firm ground, a cherished creed.
1506
But on top of them, above,
stand the acts that come from Love.
1507
Knows this god just his own rules,
his own wish and his own tools.
1508
To oppose him is a curse,
a disgrace, throughly perverse!
1509
For its he who brings delight,
the whole world he puts aright!
1510
Paris deed is ruled by Love
and the Lady of the Dove.
1511
Its an error to intrude
on the dealings they conclude.
1512
But the treasures and the gold
Paris said he will not hold,
1513
and Ive heard that with a smile
Helen said, Theyre not worthwhile.
1514
Partly its hers, the golden stack,
yet both wish to give it back.
1515
Then he dares the Spartan king
of the wounded wedding ring:
1516
Say what joy may give a spouse,
who prefers some others house!
1517
Take the gold! Avoid frustration!
We may add some compensation.
1518
Menelaus says, Quite odd
are your views about this god.
1519
But Odysseus staff is up
and he fills another cup:
1520
You, Antimachus, are wise,
who remind us of the skies
1521
since we should perform on earth

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what the Heavens hold of worth.

1522
Yet our knowledge is hearsay
and our thoughts our wits betray.
1523
When is love a true vocation,
when short passion, infatuation?
1524
Helen comes to foreign land
and relies on Paris hand.
1525
Put he tires of her face
and some other must embrace.
1526
What awaits her but disgrace
far away from her own place?
1527
Where is sister, where is brother,
where is father, where is mother?
1528
Who will ease her humiliation,
who will offer consolation?
1529
And whence comes this trepidation
my friends dread and agitation?
1530
That, Antimachus, is Care,
Loves best heart, precious and rare.
1531
Neither you nor I can know
how such feelings sprout and grow,
1532
but we have a lawful spouse,
who is now in foreign house.
1533
I propose another plan:
Let us start where we began.
1534
Let my friend and his fair wife
go back home, resume their life.
1535
Then lets meet one year from now
to approve or disavow.
1536
Lets agree that on that date
will fair Helen choose her mate.
1537
In this way we might rejoice
irrespective of her choice,
1538
having Law and Justice served
and the rules of Love observed.

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1539
Now Antimachus would speak,
but Apollo, the oblique,
1540
put some words in Priams mind
which the latter thus combined:
1541
Speak, Antenor, Elder wise,
let me know what you advise.
1542
Heres Justice, Law, and Might,
Love and Passion, Threat of Fight.
1543
And myself I feel quite lost,
all these words my wits exhaust!
1544
Says Antenor, I advise
to preserve, uphold the ties.
1545
For these bonds are holy border
which outlines the shape of order.
1546
Love could bridge (or inspiration)
sacred lines and prompt elation,
1547
but to cross them through violation
breaks all bonds, brings aberration.
1548
By high Law we should abide,
close to Justice, side by side.
1549
Both will help us to decide
what is love and what is pride.
1550
If we now restore the bride
we may say that we have tried,
1551
taking prudence as our guide
and preserving whats been tied.
1552
Still we havent love denied
and will know if someone lied.
1553
For if Paris knows persistence,
he will trust in Times assistance
1554
and await the sacred date
when fair Helen will choose mate.
1555
Its Odysseus last proposal
the most fair at our disposal.

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1556
Reds Antimachus white cheek,
once again he wants to speak.
1557
But Apollo, the bright god,
makes the king assent and nod.
1558
Then says Priam to the Council,
I endorse Antenors counsel.
1559
In the morn, by this accord,
gold and wife will be restored.
1560
And Ill add rich compensation
to enhance this arbitration.
1561
Go in peace, Achaean lords!
In their sheaths will sleep our swords.

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68. The Detention of Paris

1562 Under Hopes reassuring wings

strolls Antenor with the kings
1563
down the streets of lofty Troy
scene of pleasure, trust and joy.
1564
He will lodge them at his palace
stately home, deprived of malice
1565
till the morn, when, by accord,
gold and wife will be restored.
1566
Keeps the Achaean bodyguard
a small distance of one yard.
1567
At the sides of the broad street,
swordsmen make the crowd retreat,
1568
knowing well that the guests leisures
should not part with safety measures.
1569
In the meanwhile, Priams son,
the great Hector, flashing helm,
1570
has a vital task begun
on behalf of king and realm.
1571
He arrives at Paris house
with his guards some lights to douse:
1572
Pay attention and get dressed,
watch the end of your love nest!
1573
Says our king that, by accord,
gold and wife must be restored.
1574
Helen follows to the Hall,
Paris stays behind this wall.
1575
I wont listen to complaints
with regard to these restraints!
1576
Paris asks him, Will now Might
play the role of lawful Right?
1577
Since when soldiers invade houses,

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arrest men and capture spouses?

1578
To those questions find yourself
the right answer in your shelf !
1579
Choose some roll for consultation,
pick some adequate quotation,
1580
surely written by your hand
far away, in foreign land!
1581
Says fair Helen with a smile,
Ive been here for quite a while.
1582
I will do as you prefer
since what must per force occur
1583
none should hinder nor deter,
at the most a bit defer.
1584
But Id love to hear the lark
just before I must embark.

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69. One Night in Troy

1585 At Antenors house the treat

calls for wine and roasted meat.
1586
So like anvils all guts weigh
by the end of that long day.
1587
Some men listen, others talk,
some play pigeon, others hawk.
1588
One is artist, ace, musician
or else genius, politician.
1589
One is dancer, singer, actor
or else rich, important factor.
1590
Comes a girl to play the flute,
saying gladly, I am mute,
1591
while her agent shouts, Shes cute!
Let her pipes give a salute!
1592
Then a crone, a harpy, witch
looks for someone dumb and rich
1593
as she sings, I know your fate,
and will tell it for a rate.
1594
Still sound voices, flutes, drums, lyre
when the guests say, Well retire.
1595
Needs our sleep to be profound,
for our senses to stay sound.
1596
But as soon as theyre in bed
wish their souls catch a new thread:
1597
Dreams Odysseus hes a boy
who runs down the streets of Troy,
1598
chased by lions, monsters, boars,
ghosts and witches, men and whores.
1599
Then he hides into a horse
which he found upon his course,
1600
but a woman from outside

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says to him, Why do you hide?

1601
Youre Nobody, youre bizarre,
your whole life is a deep scar!
1602
Then the beasts attack the horse
and the woman, with great force.
1603
So Odysseus draws his sword,
but an old man says, Good lord,
1604
you are bound by sacred oath,
youll save none, less even both.
1605
Time is out. A heavy hand
now reverts your deeds to sand!
1606
Then Odysseus feels he dies
and at once opens his eyes
1607
as he mutters, Nasty themes,
I am lucky these are dreams.
1608
For the Spartan king nightmares
are more frequent than his prayers,
1609
and this night the heavy food
has induced an awful mood
1610
source of stupid commonplaces,
vapid figures, ugly faces.
1611
The king dreams that hes awake,
that he slept by some mistake,
1612
that once more he joins the feast
where he meets Apollos priest,
1613
who declares with bitter face,
Says the god youre a disgrace.
1614
Then the crone who unravelled fate
says that she has found his mate,
1615
as she shows the Spartan king
Helens broken wedding ring.
1616
Many others came to him,
all quite frightful, harsh and grim,
1617
but on waking he forgot
details, faces, meaning, plot.

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1618
So he inquires, Whoses the mind
that such dreams has thus combined?
1619
Ghost or man, he has no head.
Such an idiot should be dead!

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70. The Arrest of the Envoys

1620 In the morning great uproar

shakes the walls and the guests door.
1621
Says a voice, It would be best
if you dont resist arrest!
1622
From inside comes the reply,
He who orders, he must try!
1623
Then the guests get quickly dressed,
the dispute to have assessed.
1624
They come out, What is this brawl?
says Odysseus in the hall.
1625
Answers Hector, flashing helm,
You are foes of our realm.
1626
Tell your guards to throw their arms
or well squander all their charms.
1627
Says Odysseus, Are you insane
or just eager to be slain?
1628
We are envoys, we await
my good fellows wife, his mate.
1629
I know well who you both are,
better still than my wine jar.
1630
You are prisoners of war,
soon dead men and nothing more!
1631
Says Odysseus, Spare your boast!
Wheres Antenor, our host?
1632
He is waiting in the Hall,
Will you walk or will you crawl?
1633
Please, be clever. Lives do spare!
Leave your arms in our care!
1634
Think the guests, To taste defeat
could be worse than to retreat,

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1635
and laid down their arms and greaves
like the trees let go their leaves.

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71. The Revocation

1636 In a hall filled with disdain

stand the envoys with a chain
1637
round their necks, arms, waists and feet
like two beasts or chunks of meat.
1638
Asks them Panthous, the old priest,
Was it merry last nights feast?
1639
Fits of laughter at this question
shook the Hall, disturbed the session.
1640
So old Panthous roared, Be quiet!
The next chuckle Ill call riot!
1641
His outburst won Priams nod.
In came Silence, the mute god,
1642
to fill up the Royal Hall
as Fears friend or Terrors thrall.
1643
Not for laughter is my speech
nor the sight across our beach!
1644
The whole fleet is gone by fire!
Still black smoke the sky attire.
1645
So quite serious is this hour:
Troy has lost its naval power!
1646
And this trouble, awkward plight,
just one ship secured last night!
1647
Panthous gives a sudden wave
as if calling beast or slave,
1648
and in comes one he calls brave
as if out of his own grave,
1649
wearing rags and partly burned
like roast meat before its turned.
1650
Tell the assembly of your trip,
Panthous says, and of your ship.
1651
So the wretch relates the tale

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with attention to detail:

1652
How horrendous was his sail,
how his ship turned into jail,
1653
how he fought to no avail,
how his captor could prevail,
1654
that indeed he was not frail,
that, though brave, he too might fail,
1655
that hell make the pirate wail
if he comes upon his trail.
1656
Panthous asks, Tell now the name
of the author of this shame.
1657
Then replies he who became
more or less a living flame,
1658
He is called The Meander,
Palamedes, fleet commander.
1659
Now says Panthous with a roar,
Thats what happened at the shore!
1660
Wheres the mind that would ignore
this horrendous act of war?
1661
Then he points at the two chained
as he has their role explained:
1662
Lie these envoys, lie and flirt!
Its their mission to divert!
1663
So before we catch new breath
we should stone these men to death!
1664
Now Odysseus wants to speak,
but the indignant Hall cries, Sneak!
1665
Youre a traitor! Youre a cheat!
Shut your mouth! You are dead meat!
1666
Then Antenor intervenes
to cool down the angry scenes
1667
and with firm, bold resolution,
he contests the execution:
1668
In my house these two men slept.
I will not their deaths accept!

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1669
They made clear to me outside
why they nothing need to hide.
1670
Crystal clear was their rhyme.
Wheres the motive for this crime?
1671
Here they came to fetch a bride
whom we havent them denied.
1672
We have said we would not hold
any more their cherished gold.
1673
Wheres the motive, wheres the reason
which would push them to such treason?
1674
Why endanger limb and life,
having got both gold and wife?
1675
Replies Paris, now released,
Youll be sharper when deceased
1676
since once dead youll dodge the pain
that derives from your sick brain!
1677
Theres a war against this land!
Do you follow, understand?
1678
Says King Priam, Thats enough!
You are brutal, you are rough!
1679
Good Antenor, what applies?
Wheres the truth and where the lies?
1680
Strange enough, thats not decisive,
yet we must be most incisive
1681
in determining that wrath
should not choose our future path.
1682
For the claims of indignation
give no grounds for desecration.
1683
They are envoys, sacred race,
out of time and out of space.
1684
Well be smeared with filthiest grime
if we kill them. Awful crime!
1685
The gods never will forgive
if we made them cease to live!

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1686
Are they friends or are they foes?
Who can tell? Who knows, who knows?
1687
But they claim that this attack
has been planned behind their back.
1688
That theyll punish that commander,
Palamedes, the Meander.
1689
If we then these men release,
theres a chance there will be peace.
1690
If we kill them therell be war
with its slaughters, rapes, blood, gore.
1691
Let us say we stone these kings,
wheres the gain that this deed brings?
1692
Such an act prompts no new force,
no new strength, rather remorse.
1693
But the worst you cant ignore:
that were weaker than before,
1694
that at sea we cant compete
without ships, without a fleet.
1695
For a war its not right time:
too steep slope wed have to climb.
1696
On this point the facts are blunt.
Its a siege we would confront!
1697
So lets keep yesterdays deal
which may well fair peace reveal.
1698
Says King Priam, I admit
that we cant such deed commit.
1699
The two envoys must go free,
on that point we both agree.
1700
Only fools would be at odds
with the birds or with the gods.
1701
Yet they owe us compensation
for their naval operation,
1702
and that means that we must hold,
use, avail the Spartan gold,
1703
build with it a brand new fleet

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that will never taste defeat!

1704
What regards the Spartan bride,
all but two will step aside.
1705
It is Paris wholl provide
what fair Helen will decide.
1706
She is free to come or go,
to deny or to bestow.
1707
Once my heart called forth a blister
for Hesione, my own sister.
1708
She was stolen by some lord
and for Hellas put on board.
1709
Yet Ive never sent a horde,
threatened war or pulled out sword.
1710
We are even, I would say,
one is present, one away.
1711
So here ends this tiresome row,
And with it all trouble, woe!

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72. The Depart of the Envoys

1712 Through Scamanders plain, the wide,

ride the envoys side by side.
1713
They dont know if they feel grief,
anger, pain or else relief.
1714
Says Odysseus, Its your wife
a born foe of limb and life,
1715
but its deadlier salamander
Palamedes, fleet commander.
1716
I now swear here by this horse
that he will from life divorce!
1717
Says to him the Spartan king,
Menelaus, wounded ring:
1718
I despise self-motivation.
He has ruined the negotiation!
1719
I do swear by this day,
by those clouds, these fields, that hay,
1720
that of death hell soon be prey,
be his ending as it may!
1721
Thus with curses on their lips,
came the envoys to their ships.

!
FINIS

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