A soul that has been foully overborne. The Trojans are moved to tears by this tale of woe; and Priam bids the chains be stricken from him. He then addresses the prisoner with friendly words. _Priam_ (148-151): Whoe’er thou art, away with thoughts of Greeks. Be man of ours. And, as I question thee, Give true reply. What means this monster horse? Who first proposed, and what its purpose here? Is it some votive gift, or does it stand Against our walls as enginery of war? Sinon stretches his freed hands to the heavens. He speaks excitedly and as one inspired. _Sinon_ (154-194): O ye eternal fires, be witness now, Ye heavenly stars, divine, inviolate, Ye cursed knives, and altars which I fled, Ye fillets which as victim doomed I wore: ‘Tis right for me to break all sacred oaths Which bound me to the Greeks; ‘tis right to hate, And blab their secrets to the common air. I’ll not be held by any ties of land Or law. Do thou but keep thy promises, O Troy, and, saved by me, keep plighted faith, If I with truth shall make thee rich returns. Recovering himself, he goes on more quietly, and with an air of perfect sincerity. The Greeks’ whole hope and confidence in war Had rested from the first on Pallas’ aid. But from the time when godless Diomede, And that curst Ithacan, expert in crime, Dared desecrate the goddess’ sacred fane, Dared drag her mystic image forth, and kill Her faithful guard, and on her virgin locks Lay bloody, lustful hands unconsecrate: From then their hopes kept ebbing back and back, Their powers were shattered and their goddess’ aid Denied. And she with no uncertain signs Revealed at once her outraged deity. Scarce had the sacred image reached the camp, When glittering flames blazed from the staring eyes, And salty perspiration down her limbs Went streaming; and, oh wonderful to say, Thrice from the ground, accoutered as she was With shield and quivering spear, the image leaped. Straitway did Calchas prophecy that all Must forth again in flight upon the sea; That Troy could never by Argolic arms Be overthrown, save as they back again To sacred Argos fared and there regained That heavenly favor which they first had brought To Ilium. And now have they indeed Gone back to Greece, to seek fresh auspices, And win once more the blessing of the gods. And soon, and suddenly, the sea retraced, Will they be here again. So Calchas bade. Meanwhile, by that same prophet warned, did they This wooden image fashion to appease Th’ offended goddess, and atonement make To her outraged divinity. And more— The prophet bade them form an image huge Of oaken beams, of such proportions vast That through no gate of Troy could it be led, Nor set within the walls, lest thus once more The people from their ancient deity Protection find. For if Minerva’s gift Should by your hands be desecrated, then