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21 THE MOURNING FOR HECTOR 21

Brought me to Troy, — would I had sooner died I

And now the twentieth year is past since first

I came a stranger from my native shore,

Yet never have I heard from thee a word 975

Of anger or reproach. And when the sons

Of Priam, and his daughters, and the wives

Of Priam's sons, in all their fair array.

Taunted me grievously, or Hecuba

Herself, — for Priam ever was to me sso

A gracious father, — thou didst take my part

With kindly admonition, and restrain

Their tongues with soft address and gentle words.

Therefore my heart is grieved, and I bewail

Thee and myself at once, — unhappy me ! 935

For now I have no friend in all wide Troy, —

None to be kind to me : they hate me all."

Weeping she spake : the mighty throng again Answered with wailing. Priam then addressed The people : " Now bring wood, ye men of Troy, 990 Into the city. Let there be no fear Of ambush from the Greeks, for when of late I left Achilles at the dark-hulled barks. He gave his promise to molest no more The men of Troy till the twelfth morn shall rise." 995

He spake, and speedily they yoked the mules And oxen to the wains, and came in throngs Before the city walls. Nine days they toiled To bring the trunks of trees, and when the tenth Arose to light the abodes of men, they brought 1000 The corse of valiant Hector from the town With many tears, and laid it on the wood High up, and flung the fire to light the pile.

Now when the early rosy-fingered Dawn Looked forth, the people gathered round the pile 1005