Achilles (Mythological character) -- Juvenile literature; Trojan War -- Juvenile literature
Meanwhile Priam sat on the wall with the old men. They had ceased
from war, but in speech they were to be admired; they were like to
the crickets that sit upon a tree in the wood, and send forth a thin,
sweet voice. And as they talked, the fair Helen came near, and they
said: "What wonder that men should suffer much for such a woman, for
indeed she is divinely fair! Yet let her depart in the ships, nor
bring a curse on us and our children."
But Priam called to her: "Come near, my daughter, that thou mayest
see him that was thy husband, and thy friends and kinsmen. I find no
fault with thee, for 'tis not thou, 'tis the gods who have brought
about all this trouble. But tell me, who is this warrior that I see,
so fair and strong? There are others even a head taller than he, but
none of such majesty."
And Helen answered: "Ah, my father! I owe thee much reverence; yet
would that I had died before I left husband and child to follow thy
son. But as for this warrior, he is Agamemnon, a good king and brave
soldier, and my brother-in-law in the old days."
"Happy Agamemnon," said Priam, "to rule over so many! Never saw I
such an army gathered together. But who is this that I see, not so
tall as Agamemnon, but of broader shoulders? His arms lie upon the
ground, and he is walking through the ranks of his men just as some
great ram walks through a flock of sheep."
"This," said Helen, "is Ulysses of Ithaca, who is better in craft and
counsel than all other men."
"'Tis well spoken, lady," said Antenor. "Well I remember Ulysses
when he came hither on an embassy about thee with the brave Menelaus.
My guests they were, and I knew them well. And I remember how, in
the assembly of the Trojans, when both were standing, Menelaus was
the taller, but when they sat, Ulysses was the more majestic to
behold. And when they rose to speak, Menelaus said few words, but
said them wisely and well; and Ulysses--you had thought him a fool,
so stiffly he held his sceptre and so downcast were his eyes; but as
soon as he began, oh! the mighty voice, and the words thick as the
falling snow!"
An-te'-nor.
Then Priam said, "Who is that stalwart hero, so tall and strong,
overtopping all by head and shoulders?"
"That," said Helen, "is mighty Ajax, the bulwark of the Greeks. And
next to him is Idomeneus. Often has Menelaus had him as his guest in
the old days, when he came from Crete. As for the other chiefs, I
see and could name them all. But I miss my own dear brothers,
Castor, tamer of horses, and Pollux, the mighty boxer. Either they
came not from Sparta, or, having come, shun the meeting of men for
shame of me."
So she spake, and knew not that they were sleeping their last sleep
far away in their dear fatherland.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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