THE TAKING OF ILIOS 



and neither Aeamas, son of Theseus, nor any other 

 of the Achaeans led thee captive, but thou didst 

 perish with thy fatherland. 



All the multitude of strife and the sorrows of that 

 night I could not sing, distinguishing each event. This 

 is the Muses' task ; and I shall drive, as it were a horse,* 

 a song which, wheeling about, grazes the turning-post. 



Dawn in her car was just speeding back from 

 Ocean in the East and marking great space of sky 

 with slowly brightening light, dispelling slaughterous 

 night ; and they, exulting in their proud victory in 

 war, looked everywhere throughout the city to find 

 if any others were concealed and avoiding the 

 murderous warfare that embraced all the people. 

 But they were overcome by the all-capturing net 

 of death, as fishes poured forth on the shores of 

 the sea. And the Argives carried from the halls 

 their new bravery to deck their ships and many 

 treasured heirlooms did they seize from the desolate 

 chambers. And with them they carried off by force 

 captive wives and children together unto the ships. 

 And having arrayed city-sacking fire against the 

 walls, in one flame they confounded all the works 

 of Poseidon.* And even there was smoking Ilios 

 made a great monument to her dear citizens. And 

 Xanthus, beholding the fier\- doom of the city, wept 

 with seaward flowing fountain of lamentation, and, 

 terrified by the anger of Hera, yielded to Hephaestus. 



' In reference to the building of the walls by Poseidon 

 and Apollo. So Verg. -i4. iii. 3 " Ilium et omnis h'umo furaat 

 Neptunia Troia " ; cf. A. iu 62-2. 



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