Page 136 - the-iliad

comes that we should cease fighting; we will then wheel our
dead together with oxen and mules and burn them not far
from the ships, that when we sail hence we may take the
bones of our comrades home to their children. Hard by the
funeral pyre we will build a barrow that shall be raised from
the plain for all in common; near this let us set about build-
ing a high wall, to shelter ourselves and our ships, and let it
have well-made gates that there may be a way through them
for our chariots. Close outside we will dig a deep trench all
round it to keep off both horse and foot, that the Trojan
chieftains may not bear hard upon us.’
Thus he spoke, and the princess shouted in applause.
Meanwhile the Trojans held a council, angry and full of dis-
cord, on the acropolis by the gates of King Priam’s palace;
and wise Antenor spoke. ‘Hear me,’ he said, ‘Trojans, Dar-
danians, and allies, that I may speak even as I am minded.
Let us give up Argive Helen and her wealth to the sons of
Atreus, for we are now fighting in violation of our solemn
covenants, and shall not prosper till we have done as I say.’
He then sat down and Alexandrus husband of lovely Hel-
en rose to speak. ‘Antenor,’ said he, ‘your words are not to
my liking; you can find a better saying than this if you will;
if, however, you have spoken in good earnest, then indeed
has heaven robbed you of your reason. I will speak plainly,
and hereby notify to the Trojans that I will not give up the
woman; but the wealth that I brought home with her from
Argos I will restore, and will add yet further of my own.’
On this, when Paris had spoken and taken his seat, Pri-
am of the race of Dardanus, peer of gods in council, rose

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