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See, ill they did, and ill requites them now.

His death ye know: she as a dying swan

Sang her last dirge, and lies, as erst she lay,

Close to his side, and to my couch has left

A sweet new taste of joys that know no fear.

Ah woe and well-a-day! I would that Fate

Not bearing agony too great,

Nor stretching me too long on couch of pain—

Would bid mine eyelids keep

The morningless and unawakening sleep!

For life is weary, now my lord is slain,

The gracious among kings!

Hard fate of old he bore and many grievous things,

And for a woman's sake, on Ilian land—

Now is his life hewn down, and by a woman's hand.

O Helen, O infatuate soul,

Who bad'st the tides of battle roll,

O'erwhelming thousands, life on life,

'Neath Ilion's wall!

And now lies dead the lord of all.

The blossom of thy storied sin

Bears blood's inexpiable stain,

O thou that erst, these halls within,

Wert unto all a rock of strife,

A husband's bane!

Peace! pray not thou for death as though