In front extended to the left they stood; Safe was the right, surrounded by the flood. But, casting from their tow'rs a frightful view,

They saw the faces, which too well they knew,

Tho' then disguis'd in death, and smear'd all o'er

With filth obscene, and dropping putrid gore. Soon hasty fame thro' the sad city bears 630 The mournful message to the mother's ears. An icy cold benumbs her limbs; she shakes; Her cheeks the blood, her hand the web forsakes.

She runs the rampires round amidst the

The tow'r, that follow'd on the fallen crew, Whelm'd o'er their heads, and buried whom it slew:

Some stuck upon the darts themselves had sent;

All the same equal ruin underwent.

Young Lycus and Helenor only scape; Sav'd-how, they know not-from the steepy leap.

Helenor, elder of the two: by birth, On one side royal, one a son of earth, Whom to the Lydian king Licymnia bare, And sent her boasted bastard to the war (A privilege which none but freemen share).

730

Slight were his arms, a sword and silver shield:

No marks of honor charg'd its empty field. Light as he fell, so light the youth arose, And rising, found himself amidst his foes; Nor flight was left, nor hopes to force his

810

In these insulting terms the Trojans he
defied:
"Twice-conquer'd cowards, now your shame
is shown-

Coop'd up a second time within your town!
Who dare not issue forth in open field,
But hold your walls before you for a shield.
Thus threat you war? thus our alliance
force?

What gods, what madness, hether steer'd your course?

You shall not find the sons of Atreus here, Nor need the frauds of sly Ulysses fear. Strong from the cradle, of a sturdy brood, We bear our newborn infants to the flood; There bath'd amid the stream, our boys we hold,

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