Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, ILIAD: HELEN ON THE WALLS, by HOMER


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ILIAD: HELEN ON THE WALLS, by                     Poet's Biography
First Line: Fair helen to the scaean portals came
Last Line: "to us, and children's children yet to be."
Subject(s): Helen Of Troy; Mythology - Classical


FAIR Helen to the Scæan portals came,
Where sat the elders, peers of Priamus,
Thymoetas, Hiketaon, Panthöus,
And many another of a noble name,
Famed warriors, now in council more of fame.
Always above the gates, in converse thus
They chattered like cicalas garrulous;
Who marking Helen, swore "it is no shame
That armed Achæan knights, and Ilian men
For such a woman's sake should suffer long.
Fair as a deathless goddess seemeth she.
Nay, but aboard the red-prowed ships again
Home let her pass in peace, not working wrong
To us, and children's children yet to be."





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