And thus th’ attempts, that I see swell, in Troy’s proud heart, shall fail.” The kings do his advice approve. So Troy doth court convent At Priam’s gate, in th’ Ilion tow’r, fearful and turbulent. Amongst all, wise Antenor spake: “Trojans, and Dardan friends, And peers assistants, give good ear to what my care commends To your consents, for all our good. Resolve, let us restore The Argive Helen, with her wealth, to him she had before. We now defend but broken faiths. If, therefore, ye refuse, No good event can I expect of all the wars, we use.” He ceas’d; and Alexander spake; husband to the Argive queen: “Antenor, to mine ears thy words harsh and ungracious been. Thou canst use better if thou wilt: but, if these truly fit Thy serious thoughts, the Gods with age have reft thy graver wit, To warlike Trojans I will speak: I clearly do deny To yield my wife, but all her wealth I render willingly, Whatever I from Argos brought, and vow to make it more, Which I have ready in my house, if peace I may restore.” Priam, surnam’d Dardanides, godlike; in counsels grave; In his son’s favour well-advis’d, this resolution gave: “My royal friends of ev’ry state, there is sufficient done, For this late council we have call’d, in th’ offer of my son. Now then let all take needful food, then let the watch be set, And ev’ry court of guard held strong; so, when the morn doth wet The high-rais’d battlements of Troy, Idæus shall be sent To th’ Argive fleet, and Atreus’ sons, t’ unfold my son’s intent, From whose fact our contention springs; and, if they will, obtain Respite from heat of fight, till fire consume our soldiers slain; And after, our most fatal war let us importune still, Till Jove the conquest have dispos’d to his unconquer’d will.” All heard, and did obey the king; and, in their quarters, all, That were to set the watch that night, did to their suppers fall. Idæus in the morning went, and th’ Achive peers did find In council at Atrides’ ship; his audience was assign’d; And, in the midst of all the kings, the vocal herald said: “Atrides! My renownéd king, and other kings, his aid, Propose by me, in their commands, the offers Paris makes, From whose joy all our woes proceed. He princely undertakes That all the wealth he brought from Greece (would he had died before!) He will, with other added wealth, for your amends restore But famous Menelaus’ wife he still means to enjoy, Though he be urg’d the contrary, by all the peers of Troy. And this besides I have in charge, that, if it please you all, They wish both sides may cease from war, that rites of funeral May on their bodies be perform’d, that ill, the fields lie slain; And after, to the will of Fate, renew the fight again.” All silence held at first; at last Tydides made reply: “Let no man take the wealth, or dame; for now a child’s weak eye May see the imminent black end of Priam’s empery.” This sentence, quick and briefly giv’n, the Greeks did all admire.