_Chor._ Who was it named her with such wondrous truth? (Could it be One unseen, In strange prevision of her destined work, Guiding the tongue through chance?) Who gave that war-wed, strife-upstirring one The name of Helen, ominous of ill?[321] 670 For all too plainly she Hath been to men, and ships, And towers, as doom of Hell. From bower of gorgeous curtains forth she sailed With breeze of Zephyr Titan-born and strong;[322] And hosts of many men, Hunters that bore the shield, Went on the track of those who steered their boat Unseen to leafy banks of Simois, On her account who came, Dire cause of strife with bloodshed in her train. 680 ANTISTROPHE I And so the wrath which works its vengeance out Dear bride to Ilion brought, (Ah, all too truly named!) exacting still[323] After long lapse of time The penalty of foul dishonour done To friendship's board and Zeus, of host and guest The God, from those who paid Their loud-voiced honour then Unto that bridal strain, That hymeneal chorus which to chant Fell to the lot of all the bridegroom's kin.[324] But learning other song, Priam's ancient city now 690 Bewaileth sore, and calls on Paris' name, Wedded in fatal wedlock; all the time *Enduring tear-fraught life *For all the blood its citizens had lost. STROPHE II So once a lion's cub, A mischief in his house, As foster child one reared,[325] While still it loved the teats; In life's preluding dawn Tame, by the children loved, 700 And fondled by the old,[326] Oft in his arms 'twas held, Like infant newly born, With eyes that brightened to the hand that stroked, And fawning at the hest of hunger keen. ANTISTROPHE II But when full-grown, it showed The nature of its sires; For it unbidden made A feast in recompense Of all their fostering care, *By banquet of slain sheep; 710 With blood the house was stained, A curse no slaves could check, Great mischief murderous: By God's decree a priest of Atè thus Was reared, and grew within the man's own house. STROPHE III