But it was not the dark prospect of his country's ruin that grieved the loving husband so much as the thought that his wife might some day be carried off as a slave by the conquering Greeks. "But not the sorrows of the Trojan race, Nor those of Hecuba herself, nor those Of royal Priam, nor the woes that wait My brothers many and brave,--who all at last, Slain by the pitiless foe, shall lie in dust,-- Grieve me so much as thine, when some mailed Greek Shall lead thee weeping hence, and take from thee Thy day of freedom. . . . . O let the earth Be heaped above my head in death before I hear thy cries as thou art borne away!" BRYANT, _Iliad_, Book VI. [Illustration: HECTOR PARTING FROM ANDROMACHE. _Painting by Maignan._] Then Hector stretched out his hands to embrace his son, but the little fellow shrank back and screamed in fright at the nodding crest on his father's helmet. Both parents gently smiled, and Hector, taking off his helmet, and placing it on the ground, kissed his boy, and fondled him in his arms, praying to the gods that he might become a brave warrior, and the defender of his country. "O Jupiter and all ye deities, Vouchsafe that this my son may yet become Among the Trojans eminent like me, And nobly rule in Ilium. May they say, 'This man is greater than his father was.'" BRYANT, _Iliad_, Book VI. The parting between the hero and his sorrowing wife was very affecting. Andromache received the infant from his father's arms, mingling tears with her smiles as she looked into the face of her child. The chief Beheld, and, moved with tender pity, smoothed Her forehead gently with his hand and said:-- "Sorrow not thus, beloved one, for me. No living man can send me to the shades Before my time; no man of woman born, Coward or brave, can shun his destiny. But go thou home, and tend thy labors there,-- The web, the distaff,--and command thy maids To speed the work. The cares of war pertain To all men born in Troy, and most to me." BRYANT, _Iliad_, Book VI. Then Hector took his helmet from the ground, and Andromache departed for her home, "oft looking back, and shedding many tears."