Epistles |
Translator: J. Nunn, R. Priestly, R. Lea, J. Rodwell
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Paris Helenae Hanc tibi Priamides mitto , Ledaea , salutem , Quae tribui sola te mihi dante potest . Eloquar , an flammae non est opus indice notae , Et plus quam vellem iam meus extat amor ? Ille quidem lateat malim , dum tempora dentur Laetitiae mixtos non habitura metus , Sed male dissimulo ; quis enim celaverit ignem , Lumine qui semper proditur ipse suo ? Si tamen expectas , vocem quoque rebus ut addam — Uror ! habes animi nuntia verba mei . Parce , precor , fasso , nec vultu cetera duro Perlege , sed formae conveniente tuae . Iamdudum gratum est , quod epistula nostra recepta Spem facit , hoc recipi me quoque posse modo . Quae rata sit , nec te frustra promiserit , opto , Hoc mihi quae suasit , mater Amoris , iter ; Namque ego divino monitu — ne nescia pecces — Advehor , et coepto non leve numen adest . Praemia magna quidem , sed non indebita , posco ; Pollicita est thalamo te Cytherea meo . Hac duce Sigeo dubias a litore feci Longa Phereclea per freta puppe vias . Illa dedit faciles auras ventosque secundos — In mare nimirum ius habet orta mari . Perstet et ut pelagi , sic pectoris adiuvet aestum ; Deferat in portus et mea vota suos . Attulimus flammas , non hic invenimus , illas . Hae mihi tam longae causa fuere viae , Nam neque tristis hiemps neque nos huc appulit error ; Taenaris est classi terra petita meae . Nec me crede fretum merces portante carina Findere — quas habeo , di tueantur opes ! Nec venio Graias veluti spectator ad urbes — Oppida sunt regni divitiora mei . Te peto , quam pepigit lecto Venus aurea nostro ; Te prius optavi , quam mihi nota fores . Ante tuos animo vidi quam lumine vultus ; Prima tulit vulnus nuntia fama tui . Nec tamen est mirum , si sic cum polleat arcus , Missilibus telis eminus ictus amo . Sic placuit fatis ; quae ne convellere temptes , Accipe cum vera dicta relata fide . Matris adhuc utero partu remorante tenebar ; Iam gravidus iusto pondere venter erat . Illa sibi ingentem visa est sub imagine somni Flammiferam pleno reddere ventre facem . Territa consurgit metuendaque noctis opacae Visa seni Priamo ; vatibus ille refert . Arsurum Paridis vates canit Ilion igni — Pectoris , ut nunc est , fax fuit illa mei ! Forma vigorque animi , quamvis de plebe videbar , Indicium tectae nobilitatis erat . Est locus in mediis nemorosae vallibus Idae Devius et piceis ilicibusque frequens , Qui nec ovis placidae nec amantis saxa capellae Nec patulo tardae carpitur ore bovis . Hinc ego Dardaniae muros excelsaque tecta Et freta prospiciens arbore nixus eram — Ecce ! pedum pulsu visa est mihi terra moveri — Vera loquar veri vix habitura fidem — Constitit ante oculos actus velocibus alis Atlantis magni Pleionesque nepos — Fas vidisse fuit , fas sit mihi visa referre ! — Inque dei digitis aurea virga fuit ; Tresque simul divae , Venus et cum Pallade Iuno , Graminibus teneros inposuere pedes . Obstipui , gelidusque comas erexerat horror , Cum mihi 'pone metum !' nuntius ales ait , ' Arbiter es formae ; certamina siste dearum ; Vincere quae forma digna sit una duas !' Neve recusarem , verbis Iovis imperat et se Protinus aetheria tollit in astra via . Mens mea convaluit , subitoque audacia venit , Nec timui vultu quamque notare meo . Vincere erant omnes dignae iudexque querebar Non omnes causam posse tenere suam . Sed tamen ex illis iam tunc magis una placebat , Hanc esse ut scires , unde movetur amor . Tantaque vincendi cura est ; ingentibus ardent Iudicium donis sollicitare meum . Regna Iovis coniunx , virtutem filia iactat ; Ipse potens dubito fortis an esse velim . Dulce Venus risit ; 'nec te , Pari , munera tangant Utraque suspensi plena timoris !' ait ; ' Nos dabimus , quod ames , et pulchrae filia Ledae Ibit in amplexus pulchrior illa tuos !' Dixit , et ex aequo donis formaque probatis Victorem caelo rettulit illa pedem . Interea — credo versis ad prospera fatis — Regius adgnoscor per rata signa puer . Laeta domus nato post tempora longa recepto est , Addit et ad festos hunc quoque Troia diem . Utque ego te cupio , sic me cupiere puellae ; Multarum votum sola tenere potes ! Nec tantum regum natae petiere ducumque , Sed nymphis etiam curaque amorque fui . Quam super Oenones faciem mirarer ? in orbe Nec Priamo est a te dignior ulla nurus . Sed mihi cunctarum subeunt fastidia , postquam Coniugii spes est , Tyndari , facta tui . Te vigilans oculis , animo te nocte videbam , Lumina cum placido victa sopore iacent . Quid facies praesens , quae nondum visa placebas ? Ardebam , quamvis hic procul ignis erat , Nec potui debere mihi spem longius istam , Caerulea peterem quin mea vota via . Troica caeduntur Phrygia pineta securi Quaeque erat aequoreis utilis arbor aquis ; Ardua proceris spoliantur Gargara silvis , Innumerasque mihi longa dat Ida trabes . Fundatura citas flectuntur robora naves , Texitur et costis panda carina suis . Addimus antennas et vela sequentia malo ; Accipit et pictos puppis adunca deos ; Qua tamen ipse vehor , comitata Cupidine parvo Sponsor coniugii stat dea picta tui . Inposita est factae postquam manus ultima classi , Protinus Aegaeis ire lubebat aquis — At pater et genetrix inhibent mea vota rogando Propositumque pia voce morantur iter ; Et soror , effusis ut erat , Cassandra , capillis , Cum vellent nostrae iam dare vela rates , ' Quo ruis ?' exclamat , 'referes incendia tecum ! Quanta per has nescis flamma petatur aquas !' Vera fuit vates ; dictos invenimus ignes , Et ferus in molli pectore flagrat amor ! Portubus egredior , ventisque ferentibus usus Applicor in terras , Oebali nympha , tuas . Excipit hospitio vir me tuus — hoc quoque factum Non sine consilio numinibusque deum ! Ille quidem ostendit , quidquid Lacedaemone tota Ostendi dignum conspicuumque fuit ; Sed mihi laudatam cupienti cernere formam Lumina nil aliud quo caperentur erat . Ut vidi , obstipui praecordiaque intima sensi Attonitus curis intumuisse novis . His similes vultus , quantum reminiscor , habebat Venit in arbitrium cum Cytherea meum . Si tu venisses pariter certamen in illud , In dubio Veneris palma futura fuit ! Magna quidem de te rumor praeconia fecit , Nullaque de facie nescia terra tua est ; Nec tibi par usquam Phrygia nec solis ab ortu Inter formosas altera nomen habet ! Crede sed hoc nobis ! — minor est tua gloria vero , Famaque de forma paene maligna tua est ; Plus hic invenio , quam quod promiserat illa , Et tua materia gloria victa sua est . Ergo arsit merito , qui noverat omnia , Theseus , Et visa es tanto digna rapina viro , More tuae gentis nitida dum nuda palaestra Ludis et es nudis femina mixta viris . Quod rapuit , laudo ; miror , quod reddidit umquam . Tam bona constanter praeda tenenda fuit . Ante recessisset caput hoc cervice cruenta , Quam tu de thalamis abstraherere meis . Tene manus umquam nostrae dimittere vellent ? Tene meo paterer vivus abire sinu ? Si reddenda fores , aliquid tamen ante tulissem , Nec Venus ex toto nostra fuisset iners . Vel mihi virginitas esset libata , vel illud Quod poterat salva virginitate rapi . Da modo te , quae sit Paridis constantia , nosces ; Flamma rogi flammas finiet una meas . Praeposui regnis ego te , quae maxima quondam Pollicita est nobis nupta sororque Iovis ; Dumque tuo possem circumdare bracchia collo , Contempta est virtus Pallade dante mihi . Nec piget , aut umquam stulte legisse videbor ; Permanet in voto mens mea firma suo . Spem modo ne nostram fieri patiare caducam , Deprecor , o tanto digna labore peti ! Non ego coniugium generosae degener opto , Nec mea , crede mihi , turpiter uxor eris . Pliada , si quaeres , in nostra gente Iovemque Invenies , medios ut taceamus avos ; Regna parens Asiae , qua nulla beatior ora est , Finibus inmensis vix obeunda , tenet . Innumeras urbes atque aurea tecta videbis , Quaeque suos dicas templa decere deos . Ilion adspicies firmataque turribus altis Moenia , Phoebeae structa canore lyrae . Quid tibi de turba narrem numeroque virorum ? Vix populum tellus sustinet illa suum . Occurrent denso tibi Troades agmine matres , Nec capient Phrygias atria nostra nurus . O quotiens dices : 'quam pauper Achaia nostra est !' Una domus quaevis urbis habebit opes . Nec mihi fas fuerit Sparten contemnere vestram ; In qua tu nata es , terra beata mihi est . Parca sed est Sparte , tu cultu divite digna ; Ad talem formam non facit iste locus . Hanc faciem largis sine fine paratibus uti Deliciisque decet luxuriare novis . Cum videas cultus nostra de gente virorum , Qualem Dardanias credis habere nurus ? Da modo te facilem , nec dedignare maritum , Rure Therapnaeo nata puella , Phrygem . Phryx erat et nostro genitus de sanguine , qui nunc Cum dis potando nectare miscet aquas . Phryx erat Aurorae coniunx , tamen abstulit illum Extremum noctis quae dea finit iter . Phryx etiam Anchises , volucrum cui mater Amorum Gaudet in Idaeis concubuisse iugis . Nec , puto , conlatis forma Menelaus et annis Iudice te nobis anteferendus erit . Non dabimus certe socerum tibi clara fugantem Lumina , qui trepidos a dape vertat equos ; Nec Priamo pater est soceri de caede cruentus Et qui Myrtoas crimine signat aquas ; Nec proavo Stygia nostro captantur in unda Poma , nec in mediis quaeritur umor aquis . Quid tamen hoc refert , si te tenet ortus ab illis , Cogitur huic domui Iuppiter esse socer ? Heu facinus ! totis indignus noctibus ille Te tenet , amplexu perfruiturque tuo ; At mihi conspiceris posita vix denique mensa , Multaque quae laedant hoc quoque tempus habet . Hostibus eveniant convivia talia nostris , Experior posito qualia saepe mero ! Paenitet hospitii , cum me spectante lacertos Inponit collo rusticus iste tuo . Rumpor et invidia — quid enim non omnia narrem ? — Membra superiecta cum tua veste fovet . Oscula cum vero coram non dura daretis , Ante oculos posui pocula sumpta meos ; Lumina demitto cum te tenet artius ille , Crescit et invito lentus in ore cibus . Saepe dedi gemitus ; et te — lasciva ! — notavi In gemitu risum non tenuisse meo . Saepe mero volui flammam compescere , at illa Crevit , et ebrietas ignis in igne fuit , Multaque ne videam , versa cervice recumbo ; Sed revocas oculos protinus ipsa meos . Quid faciam , dubito ; dolor est meus illa videre , Sed dolor a facie maior abesse tua . Qua licet et possum , luctor celare furorem ; Sed tamen apparet dissimulatus amor . Nec tibi verba damus ; sentis mea vulnera , sentis ! Atque utinam soli sint ea nota tibi ! A , quotiens lacrimis venientibus ora reflexi , Ne causam fletus quaereret ille mei ! A , quotiens aliquem narravi potus amorem , Ad vulnus referens singula verba meum , Indiciumque mei ficto sub nomine feci ! Ille ego , si nescis , verus amator eram . Quin etiam , ut possem verbis petulantius uti , Non semel ebrietas est simulata mihi . Prodita sunt , memini , tunica tua pectora laxa Atque oculis aditum nuda dedere meis — Pectora vel puris nivibus vel lacte tuamve Complexo matrem candidiora Iove . Dum stupeo visis — nam pocula forte tenebam — Tortilis a digitis excidit ansa meis . Oscula si natae dederas , ego protinus illa Hermiones tenero laetus ab ore tuli . Et modo cantabam veteres resupinus amores , Et modo per nutum signa tegenda dabam . Et comitum primas , Clymenen Aethramque , tuarum Ausus sum blandis nuper adire sonis , Quae mihi non aliud , quam formidare , locutae Orantis medias deseruere preces . Di facerent , pretium magni certaminis esses , Teque suo posset victor habere toro ! — Ut tulit Hippomenes Schoeneida praemia cursus , Venit ut in Phrygios Hippodamia sinus , Ut ferus Alcides Acheloia cornua fregit , Dum petit amplexus , Deianira , tuos . Nostra per has leges audacia fortiter isset , Teque mei scires esse laboris opus . Nunc mihi nil superest nisi te , formosa , precari , Amplectique tuos , si patiare , pedes . O decus , o praesens geminorum gloria fratrum , O Iove digna viro , ni Iove nata fores , Aut ego Sigeos repetam te coniuge portus , Aut hic Taenaria contegar exul humo ! Non mea sunt summa leviter destricta sagitta Pectora ; descendit vulnus ad ossa meum ! Hoc mihi — nam repeto — fore , ut a caeleste sagitta Figar , erat verax vaticinata soror . Parce datum fatis , Helene , contemnere amorem — Sic habeas faciles in tua vota deos ! Multa quidem subeunt ; sed coram ut plura loquamur , Excipe me lecto nocte silente tuo . An pudet et metuis Venerem temerare maritam Castaque legitimi fallere iura tori ? A , nimium simplex Helene , ne rustica dicam , Hanc faciem culpa posse carere putas ? Aut faciem mutes aut sis non dura , necesse est ; Lis est cum forma magna pudicitiae . Iuppiter his gaudet , gaudet Venus aurea furtis ; Haec tibi nempe patrem furta dedere Iovem . Vix fieri , si sunt vires in semine morum , Et Iovis et Ledae filia casta potest . Casta tamen tum sis , cum te mea Troia tenebit , Et tua sim , quaeso , crimina solus ego . Nunc ea peccemus quae corriget hora iugalis , Si modo promisit non mihi vana Venus ! Ipse tibi hoc suadet rebus , non voce , maritus , Neve sui furtis hospitis obstet , abest . Non habuit tempus , quo Cresia regna videret , Aptius — o mira calliditate virum ! ' Res , et ut Idaei mando tibi ,' dixit iturus , ' Curam pro nobis hospitis , uxor , agas .' Neclegis absentis , testor , mandata mariti ! Cura tibi non est hospitis ulla tui . Huncine tu speras , hominem sine pectore , dotes Posse satis formae , Tyndari , nosse tuae ? Falleris — ignorat ; nec , si bona magna putaret , Quae tenet , externo crederet illa viro . Ut te nec mea vox nec te meus incitet ardor , Cogimur ipsius commoditate frui — Aut erimus stulti , sic ut superemus et ipsum , Si tam securum tempus abibit iners . Paene suis ad te manibus deducit amantem ; Utere mandantis simplicitate viri ! Sola iaces viduo tam longa nocte cubili ; In viduo iaceo solus et ipse toro . Te mihi meque tibi communia gaudia iungant ; Candidior medio nox erit illa die . Tunc ego iurabo quaevis tibi numina meque Adstringam verbis in sacra vestra meis ; Tunc ego , si non est fallax fiducia nostri , Efficiam praesens , ut mea regna petas . Si pudet et metuis ne me videare secuta , Ipse reus sine te criminis huius ero ; Nam sequar Aegidae factum fratrumque tuorum . Exemplo tangi non propiore potes . Te rapuit Theseus , geminas Leucippidas illi ; Quartus in exemplis adnumerabor ego . Troica classis adest armis instructa virisque ; Iam facient celeres remus et aura vias . Ibis Dardanias ingens regina per urbes , Teque novam credet vulgus adesse deam , Quaque feres gressus , adolebunt cinnama flammae , Caesaque sanguineam victima planget humum . Dona pater fratresque et cum genetrice sorores Iliadesque omnes totaque Troia dabit . Ei mihi ! pars a me vix dicitur ulla futuri . Plura feres , quam quae littera nostra refert . Nec tu rapta time , ne nos fera bella sequantur , Concitet et vires Graecia magna suas . Tot prius abductis ecqua est repetita per arma ? Crede mihi , vanos res habet ista metus . Nomine ceperunt Aquilonis Erechthida Thraces , Et tuta a bello Bistonis ora fuit ; Phasida puppe nova vexit Pagasaeus Iason , Laesa neque est Colcha Thessala terra manu . Te quoque qui rapuit , rapuit Minoida Theseus ; Nulla tamen Minos Cretas ad arma vocat . Terror in his ipso maior solet esse periclo , Quaeque timere licet , pertimuisse pudet . Finge tamen , si vis , ingens consurgere bellum — Et mihi sunt vires , et mea tela nocent . Nec minor est Asiae quam vestrae copia terrae ; Illa viris dives , dives abundat equis . Nec plus Atrides animi Menelaus habebit Quam Paris aut armis anteferendus erit . Paene puer caesis abducta armenta recepi , Hostibus et causam nominis inde tuli ; Paene puer iuvenes vario certamine vici , In quibus Ilioneus Deiphobusque fuit ; Neve putes , non me nisi comminus esse timendum , Figitur in iusso nostra sagitta loco . Num potes haec illi primae dare facta iuventae ? Instruere Atriden num potes arte mea ? Omnia si dederis , numquid dabis Hectora fratrem ? Unus is innumeri militis instar erit ! Quid valeam nescis , et te mea robora fallunt ; Ignoras , cui sis nupta futura viro . Aut igitur nullo belli repetere tumultu , Aut cedent Marti Dorica castra meo . Nec tamen indigner pro tanta sumere ferrum Coniuge . certamen praemia magna movent . Tu quoque , si de te totus contenderit orbis , Nomen ab aeterna posteritate feres Spe modo non timida dis hinc egressa secundis ; Exige cum plena munera pacta fide .
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Paris to Helen PARIS, the son of Priam, sends health to helen; that health, which he can himself no otherwise enjoy, than as it is your gift. Shall I then speak? or is it unnecessary to inform you of a passion that betrays itself? Has not my love already laid itself too open? I could indeed wish it to lie conceaied, till the time comes when we can taste of joys unallayed by any mixture of fear. But it is in vain that I dissemble; for who can smother a flame that always discovers itself by its own brightness? If yet you expect that my tongue should confirm what my actions have so long declared,— I burn. This message brings you the true sense of my heart. Forgive this kind confession; and do not peruse what remains with a severe look, but with one that best becomes your heavenly form. Already it gives me pleasure to think that my letter is well received; for this creates a hope that I may also meet with the same kind entertainment. Heaven grant that my hopes may be confirmed, and that the queen of love, who urged me to this voyage, may not have promised in vain. For, that you may not offend through ignorance, know that I came hither by a divine admonition, and that one, not the meanest of the divine powers, favors my design. The prize I seek indeed is great, yet what I may justly claim; for Venus promised you, fair as you are, to my bed. Guided by her, I abandoned the Sigean shore, ventured upon a doubtful fate, and did not decline to plough the pathless deep in the Phereclean bark. She commanded a gentle breeze, and stretched the canvass with auspicious gales; for, having sprung from the teeming deep, she still retains her empire over the main. May she still persevere; and, as she calms the sea, so may she calm the tempest that rages in my breast, and bring home all my vows and sighs to their desired port. My flames I brought with me; for I did not first find them here. They were the cause of my undertaking so long a voyage: for no threatening storm or mistaken course drove us hither; my fleet was designed from the first for the coast of Laconia. Nor fancy that I plough the waves in a ship laden with merchandise: the Gods have already blessed me with ample wealth. Nor came I so far to view and admire the cities of Greece; my own kingdom is filled with richer towns. It is you that I seek, whom beautiful Venus promised to my embraces; I wished for the enjoyment of your love, even before I was acquainted with your charms. Long before my eyes beheld you, I had formed an image of you in my mind; for fame was the first messenger of your beauty. Nor is it so great a wonder, that, pierced by the swift-winged arrow at such a distance, I offer you my heart. So the Fates have ordained; which that you may not strive to resist, attend to a relation that carries in it nothing but truth. I was yet enclosed in the womb of my mother, now pregnant with a burthen almost struggling for birth. She in a mysterious dream seemed to herself to be delivered of a burning torch. She was frighted, and related to priam the tremendous visions of the gloomy might: he consulted the sacred seers. The prophet foretold, that the flames of the ruined Troy were portended by the threatening torch; but surely Fate meant the flames that now rage in my breast. Though exposed among shepherds, yet my form and native greatness spoke the nobility of my birth. In the thickest groves of Ida there is a place remarkably retired, and shaded with oaks and pitch-trees. The grass, upon this spot, is not touched by the bleating sheep, the goat delighting in rocks and cliffs, or the laborious ox. As here I stood leaning upon a tree, and beholding from afar the walls, lofty towers, and winding bays of Troy, lo, suddenly, the ground seemed to be shaken with the tread of feet. I speak the truth; yet scarcely will it be able to gain the credit due to truth. The grandson of great Atlas and Pleione, borne through the air on nimble wings, stood before my eyes. As I was permitted to see, so may it be allowed me to relate what I have seen. The God stood, and in his sacred hand was a golden rod: three Goddesses too, Venus, Juno, and Pallas, gently pressed the grass with their tender feet. I stood amazed, and a chilling horror raised my hair in bristles; when the winged messenger thus addressed me: "Banish fear; you are appointed the judge of beauty; settle therefore the contests of the Goddesses, and name one who must claim the prize of beauty from the other two." And, that I might not decline the task, he laid his commands upon me in the name of Jupiter, and then mounted aloft through the aerial way. My mind seemed to gather strength, and I was conscious of an unusual boldness; nor did I fear to fix my eyes upon each of them with attention. They all seemed worthy of the victory; and I, their judge, was grieved to think, that all could not equally carry off the prize. yet even then there was one that pleased me more: insomuch, that it was easy to discover in her mien and air the Queen of Love. So strong was the contention for superiority, that they began to solicit my favor by bribes. The wife of Jove offered me a kingdom, Pallas prudence and valour, whilst I myself could not resolve to which to give the preference: but Venus, sweetly smiling, said, "Let not gifts like these, Paris, sway you; for both are full of fears and anxieties. I will give you to taste of the pleasures of love; and fair Leda's yet fairer daughter shall receive your fond caresses." Thus attractively she spoke; and, equally powerful by her gifts and beauty, returned to heaven with victorious pace. In the mean time, (the Fates beginning to be now more propitious,) I am known by undoubted signs to be the son of royal Priam. The court is over- joyed to recover a son who had so long been lost; and grateful Troy adds this day also to her festivals. And, as I now languish for you, so did the beauties of Troy for me: you alone reign over my heart, for which many sighed in vain. Nor was I only desired by the daughters of kings and heroes: I was also the darling and care of heaven-born Nymphs. But all these, Tyndaris, met with a return of cold disdain, when the hopes of your embrace had fired my breast. All the day fancy placed you before my eyes; at night too, when my eyes were sealed by gentle sleep, you stood before me in my dreams. What surprise then must your presence give, whose absent image so far occupied my thoughts? I was consumed with the flame, though it scorched at so great a distance. Nor was I able to restrain my ardent hopes from seeking the desired object through the blue ocean. The stately Trojan pines were cut down with a Phrygian axe, and every tree that was fittest to plough the yielding deep. The steep Gargarean summits were despoiled of their lofty woods; and spacious Ida furnished me with the finest planks. Stiff oaks were bent to form the doubling hold, and the rising sides were knit with jointed ribs. Sails and sail-yards were added to the lofty masts; and the bending stern was adorned with painted Gods. On my own ship stood the Goddess, who promised to make me happy in your embraces; accompanied by her little son Cupid. The fleet being thus completely prepared, I longed to traverse the wide Ægean sea. My father and mother opposed their entreaties to my desires, and with pious requests withstood my intended voyage. Cassandra too, my sister, with loose and disordered locks, just as the ships were ready to set sail, ex-claimed, Whither do you hurry without thought, to bring back fire and destruction? Alas! you little think what raging flames threaten us from beyond these seas. True were her predictions: I have felt the threatened fires; tyrannic love rages in my yielding breast. Yet I set sail, and, urged by propitious gales, arrived, fairest nymph, on your native coasts. There I was kindly entertained by your husband; and this did not happen without the concurrence and contrivance of the Gods. He shewed me every thing that was remarkable or worth notice in Lacedæmon: but in vain these objects solicited the attention of one, who was wholly possessed with the desire of beholding your celebrated beauty. I saw, and stood amazed: stricken to the inmost soul with your charms, I felt my heart well with new cares. Such was Venus, so far as I can remember, when she descended from heaven, to submit to my decision. If you had also come to bear a part in that contest, even Venus could have scarcely pretended to the prize. Fame indeed has so diffused the report of your beauty, that no country is a stranger to your charms. Not even Phrygia can boast of your equal; nor, from the rising to the setting sun, is there one to rival you. Believe me when I tell you, that your fame comes far short of the truth; for even report has invidiously denied the share of praise due to your charms. I found you greatly to exceed what that had given ground to hope, and that your fame in every thing fell below your merit. Well therefore might Theseus, who knew all, feel the power of so many charms, and think you a prey worthy of so great a hero; when, after the manner of your country, you contended in the wrestling-ring, and disputed with the other sex the prize of manly exercise. I commend the bold theft, but wonder how he ever could restore you: so inestimable a prize ought always to have been retained. Sooner should this head have been severed from the bloody neck, than any one be suffered to tear you from my embraces. Would ever this right-hand have permitted you to be carried off? Could I, while ought of life remained, have tamely seen you ravished from my bosom? If necessity had compelled me, yet I would not have left you before I had received some pledge of your love, some earnest of the strength of our mutual flame. I would have tasted of your virgin charms, or, if that bliss had been denied, have ravished a thousand kisses. Fly then to my arms, and try the firmness and constancy of Paris. The funeral flames alone shall extinguish the flames that rage in my breast. I preferred you to a kingdom, once offered by the sister and the wife of Jove. Even prudence and valor, the gifts of Pallas, were postponed to the sweet pleasure of throwing my arms round your neck. Nor do I repent, or charge myself with having made a foolish choice: my mind continues firm in its first resolve. You only, to obtain whom no labor can appear great, do not, O do not suffer my hopes to vanish into air. I am not one whose birth will disgrace the noble line of his spouse; not is it beneath your dignity to be wedded to Paris. The Pleiades, and great Jove himself, ennoble my pedigree; not to mention the long race of succeeding kings. My father sways the sceptre of Asia, a kingdom rich and fertile, whose ample bounds stretch as far as the rising sun. There you will behold innumerable cities, houses roofed with gold, and temples becoming the Gods to whom they belong. You will see Ilion and its walls strengthened with lofty towers, all built to the harmony of Apollo's lyre. Why should I mention the vast multitudes of people? the country is scarcely able to sustain its inhabitants. The Trojan matrons will meet you in troops; nor will our halls accommodate the concourse of Phrygian dames. How often will you say, What a poor naked country is Greece; and that one Phrygian palace is richer than whole cities there! Nor mean I by this to despise your native land; for the region in which you first drew your breath, must ever be to me a dear and happy country. Yet Sparta is poor, whereas you are worthy of the richest ornaments: that sordid city ill suits a form so lovely. Your face ought to shine with rich attire, and be set off with all the ornaments and luxuriance of dress. When you so much admire the habit of the Trojans who attend me, what, think you, must be that of the Phrygian ladies? Only therefore be kind; nor do you, a fair Spartan, disdain to receive a husband of Phrygia. He was of Phrygia, springing from our race, who is now advanced to temper the nectar of the Gods. Tithonus too was of Phrygia, whom the Goddess that measures out the night received to her rosy bed. Anchises also was a Phrygian, with whom the mother of winged Loves delighted to associate on the summits of Ida. Nor do I think that Menelaus, whether you compare our persons or age, can have the preference, even in your judgement. You certainly will not have a father-in-law who made the sun withdraw his light, and turn away his frighted steeds from the dire banquet. Nor is Priam the son of one stained with the blood of a father-in-law, or whose crime gives a name to the Myrtoan waves. No great-grandfather of mine catches at apples in the Stygian flood, or, set up to the chin in water, is tortured with thirst. But what does this avail me, if one so descended possesses Helen, and Jove himself is a father-in-law to this line? Yet he (O ye Gods) a wretch unworthy of so much happiness, passes whole nights with you, and shares, uninterrupted, your fondest caresses. I can scarcely have a short glance of you at table; and even then there are many things that give me pain. May such feasts fall to the lot of my worst enemies, as those I often meet with in your palace! I repent of my entertainment at his court, when I see him throw his rude arms round your snowy neck. I swell, and am ready to burst with envy (yet why do I thus relate all?) when he folds his flowing robe round your tender limbs. But when you give and take in my presence the melting kisses, I am then forced to take the cup, and hold it before my eyes. As often as you close in strict embraces, I cast my eyes upon the ground; and the loathed food becomes more and more nauseous to my taste. I often sigh to myself, and have observed you repaying my sighs with a scornful smile. Oft have I essayed to conquer my flame with wine; but it continued to increase; and drinking, I found, added fuel to the fire. Sometimes I turned away my eyes, that I might not see too much; but you soon called back my wandering sight. What can I do? I am pierced with grief to witness all; but it is still a greater grief not to gaze upon your charms. I strive with all my power to hide my flame; but the dissembled passion breaks through all restraints. Nor is it my aim to deceive; my wounds are well, to well known to you: O that they were only known to you! How often have I turned away my face, to hide the falling tears, lest he should enquire the cause of my sadness! How oft, when warmed with wine, have I told some tale of love, applying every word to your dear face; and, under a feigned name, have made a discovery of my own passion? In these instances, if you knew it not, I was the true lover. Sometimes I have even feigned intoxication, to excuse my greater freedoms in discourse. Once I remember your loose garments revealed your naked breasts, and discovered them freely to my gazing eyes; breasts whiter than milk, or the purest snow; whiter than Jove, when in the shape of a swan he made love to your mother. Whilst surprised at the sight I stood gazing (for by chance the cup was in my hand), the wreathed handle insensibly slipped from my fingers. If you kissed your young Hermione, I instantly snatched from her lips the envied bliss. Sometimes, laid supinely along, I sang love-songs, and by winks and nods gave secret signs of my flame. I even tried, with all the softness of eloquence, to persuade your favorite attendants, Æthra and Clymene, to promote my addresses: but their answers served only to heighten my despair, and they cruelly deserted me in the midst of my entrea- ties. O that the Gods would make you the reward of some gallant enterprise, and crown the victor with the possession of your charms! As Hippomenes carried off Atalanta, the prize of his dexterity in the chariot-race; as Hippodamia was pressed to the bosom of a Phrygian hero; as brave Alcides broke the horns of the God Achelous, while he fought for the prize of Deianira's charms; my courage would have nobly dared the rude encounter, and you would have soon found yourself the reward of my bravery. Now nought remains but to address you in suppliant prayers, and, prostrate at your feet, embrace your knees. O you who are the glory of your family and ornament of the brother stars! O worthy of the bed of Jove, but that you sprang from himself! I will either re-enter the Phrygian ports, carrying you as my wife; or here, an exile, be covered with Laconian earth. My breast is not lightly pierced with the pointed arrow; the wound hath reached even to my bones. My sister truly foretold (for now I recollect), that I should be wounded by a heavenly dart. Beware therefore, Helen, of despising a love ordamed by the Fates; so may you have the Gods still propitious to your desires! Much more I have to add; but, that I may say all to yourself, receive me into your apartment during the silent night. Are you ashamed? Or do you fear to loosen the matrimonial tie, or violate the just rights of a lawful bed? Is it possible then, Helen, you should be so simple as to fancy, that so lovely a face can be exempt from faults? Either change that face, or you must be less cruel; for chastity and beauty are ever at variance. Even Jupiter, and lovely Venus herself, indulge these stolen delights. It is in consequence of these that you boast of Jupiter for your father. If you retain aught of your parents, can the daughter of Jupiter and Leda be chaste? Yet then may you be chaste, when I with you shall have reached Troy; and let a compliance with me be your only crime. Let us now commit a fault which marriage shall afterwards amend, if Venus has not deluded me be false promises. Even your husband, if not by words, yet by his actions, persuades you to this; and, that he may not be an obstacle to the stolen joys of his guest, he is absent. Had he no time more opportune for a visit to the isle of Crete? O husband of wonderful sagacity! He went, and in going said, My dear, I recommend it to you, that you take the same care of our Idean guest, as you are wont to do of me. You neglect (I aver it) the commands of your absent husband, nor ever think about the care of your guest. And can you hope, fairest Tyndaris, that one of so little discretion understands the just value of such a treasure of charms? You are deceived; he is far from understanding it; nor, if he thought the jewel valuable, would he trust it in the hands of a stranger. If neither my persuasions, nor the ardor of my passion, avail; yet how can we avoid taking advantage of the inviting opportunity? We should exceed even him in folly, if we should neglect a conjuncture so secure and tempting. He has, in a manner, with his own hands, forced a lover upon you; let us then make the best of the simplicity of this thoughtless man. You lie in a solitary bed during the long winter nights: I also lie single in a desolate bed. Let mutual joys join us strictly together; and that night will outshine the brightest noon. Then will I swear by all the powers above, and bind myself to you for ever in your own words. Then, if my confidence does not deceive me. I will prevail that you fly with me to my kingdom. If shame and fear dissuade you from the appearance of a voluntary flight, I will free you from blame, by taking all the crime upon myself. For I will follow the example of Theseus and your brothers; nor are there any others that can touch you more nearly; Theseus carried you off, and they bore away the two daughters of Leucippus; I shall be named the fourth, in this illustrious roll. The Trojan fleet is at hand, well appointed with arms and men: oars and an inviting gale shall forward us with nimble speed. You shall walk a mighty queen through the cities of Phrygia, and the people will adore you as a new deity. Whereever you tread, the finest spices shall smoke, and the falling victims beat the bloody ground. My brothers, my sisters and mother, will load you with gifts; the Ilian matrons and all Troy following the example. Alas! all I have yet said is nothing; you shall there meet with much more than this letter mentions. Nor fear that this rape will draw after it a cruel war, or that powerful Greece will summon her strength to recover you. Who, of the many that have been thus stolen, was demanded back by arms? These, trust me, are vain and frivolous fears. The Thracians, under the name of Boreas, stole the daughter of Erechtheus; and yet the kingdom of Thrace was not attacked by war. Jason of Thessaly carried off in his flying bark the Colchian maid; yet Thessaly was got invaded or distressed by an army from Colchis. Theseus too, who stole you, stole also the daughter of Minos; yet Minos did not once think of arming the Cretans to recover her. In these cases, the fear always exceeds the danger; and, when that is over, we begin to be ashamed of our fear. But suppose, if you will, that a dreadful war may ensure; I have strength to repel it, and my darts can wound. Nor does the power of Asia yield to that of Greece;—it is a rich land, abounding both in men and horses. Nor does Menelaus exceed Paris in bravery, or deserve the preference for military skill. While I was a mere boy, I recovered the stolen herds after slaying my foes, and thence borrowed a new name. While yet a boy, I carried off the prize in various exercises from the other youths, among whom were even Ilioneus and Deiphobus. Nor think that I am only to be dreaded in close combat; my arrows always hit the appointed mark. Can you ascribe to him these acts of early youth? Can you honor the son of Atreus with my envied skill? But were you to allow him all these, will you also boast that he has such a brother as Hector? This one hero is equivalent to whole armies. You know not the extent of my power; my strength is in a great measure hidden from you; nor do you imagine what kind of man he is, who solicits to be received for your husband. Either therefore no war will be raised to demand you back; or the Grecian army must be vanquished by my superior force. Nor think that I shall be unwilling to draw the sword for such a wife. A prize so noble, is well worthy of the contest. You too, if all the world should arm for your sake, will acquire a name famous to the remotest ages. Fly hence then, full of hope, while the Gods are propitious, and demand with full assurance that I make good these promises. |