From morn to eve, impassive and serene,

The man entranced would view the dreadful scene.

These drugs, so friendly to the joys of life,

Bright Helen learn’d from Thone’s imperial wife;

Who sway’d the sceptre, where prolific Nile

With various simples clothes the fatten’d soil.

With wholesome herbage mix’d, the direful bane

Of vegetable venom taints the plain;

From Paeon sprung, their patron-god imparts

To all the Pharian race his healing arts.

The beverage now prepared to inspire the feast,

The circle thus the beauteous queen addressed:


“Throned in omnipotence, supremest Jove

Tempers the fates of human race above;

By the firm sanction of his sovereign will,

Alternate are decreed our good and ill.

To feastful mirth be this white hour assign’d.

And sweet discourse, the banquet of the mind

Myself, assisting in the social joy,

Will tell Ulysses’ bold exploit in Troy,

Sole witness of the deed I now declare

Speak you (who saw) his wonders in the war.


“Seam’d o’er with wounds, which his own sabre gave,

In the vile habit of a village slave,

The foe deceived, he pass’d the tented plain,

In Troy to mingle with the hostile train.

In this attire secure from searching eyes,

Till happily piercing through the dark disguise,

The chief I challenged; he, whose practised wit

Knew all the serpent mazes of deceit,

Eludes my search; but when his form I view’d

Fresh from the bath, with fragrant oils renew’d,

His limbs in military purple dress’d,

Each brightening grace the genuine Greek confess’d.

A previous pledge of sacred faith obtain’d,

Till he the lines and Argive fleet regain’d,

To keep his stay conceal’d; the chief declared

The plans of war against the town prepared.

Exploring then the secrets of the state,

He learn’d what best might urge the Dardan fate;

And, safe returning to the Grecian host,

Sent many a shade to Pluto’s dreary coast.

Loud grief resounded through the towers of Troy,