Helen of Troy

"Clearly the rest I behold of the dark-ey’d sons of Achaia; Known to me well are the faces of all; their names I remember; Two, two only remain, whom I see not among the commanders, Castor fleet in the car—Polydeukes brave with the cestus— Own dear brethren of mine—one parent lov’d us as infants. Are they not here in the host, from the shores of lov’d Lacedæmon, Or, tho’ they came with the rest in ships that bound thro’ the waters, Dare they not enter the fight or stand in the council of Heroes All for fear of the shame and the taunts my crime has awaken’d? So said she;—they long since in Earth’s soft arms were reposing, There, in their own dear land, their Father-land, Lacedæmon."

"And, as in well-growne woods, on trees, cold spinie Grashoppers Sit chirping, and send voices out, that scarce can pierce our eares, For softnesse, and their weake faint sounds: So (talking on the towre) These Seniors of the people sate: who when they saw the powre Of beautie, in the Queene ascend; even those cold-spirited Peeres, Those wise, and almost witherd men, found this heate in their yeares; That they were forc’t (though whispering) to say; what man can blame The Greekes, and Troians to endure, for so admir’d a Dame, So many miseries, and so long? In her sweet countenance shine Lookes like the Goddesses: and yet (though never so divine) Before we boast, unjustly still, of her enforced prise, And justly suffer for her sake, with all our progenies, Labor, and ruine; let her go: the profit of our land Must passe the beautie. Thus, though these could beare so fit a hand On their affections; yet when all their gravest powers were usde; They could not chuse but welcome her; and rather they accusde The Gods, then beautie; for thus spake the most fam’d king of Troy; Come, loved daughter, sit by me, and take the worthy joy Of thy first husbands sight; old friends, and Princes neare allyed: And name me some of these brave Greekes, so manly beautified. Come: do not thinke, I lay the warres, endur’d by us, on thee; The Gods have sent them, and the teares, in which they swumme to me."

"Who then can blame the amorous boy, Who, the fair Helen to enjoy, To quench his own, set fire on Troy?"

"led the Way, To light him to his Prey, And, like another Hellen, fir’d another Troy."

"I should have rather guess’d that here Another brood of Helens were Begot by Jove upon the playnes Watchd by some Læda of the Swans."

"Past ruin’d Ilion Helen lives, Alcestis rises from the shades; Verse calls them forth; ’tis verse that gives Immortal youth to mortal maids."