Page:The Aeneid of Virgil JOHN CONINGTON 1917 V2.pdf/69

 *aster of my innocent friend. Nor did I keep silence—madman that I was! No, if ever the chance were given me—if ever I came back with glory to my native Argos—I vowed myself his avenger, and my words stirred up bitter enmity. From that time my ruin began; from that     5 time Ulysses was ever threatening me with some new charge, ever scattering abroad words of mystery, and looking for allies to plot with. Nor did he rest till by Calchas'[o] agency—but why recall this unwelcome story with no end to gain? Why waste your time, if you hold all Achæans     10 alike, and to hear that is to hear enough? Take the vengeance you should have taken long ago. It is just what would please the Ithacan, and earn a large reward from the sons of Atreus!'[o]

"This makes us burn, indeed, to explore and inquire into     15 the reason of his tale, not knowing that crime could be so monstrous, and Pelasgian art so cunning. He resumes, in faltering tones, spoken from his false heart:—

'"Often have the Danaans designed to turn their back on Troy and accomplish a retreat, and abandon the war     20 that had wearied them so long; and would they had done it! As often has the fierce inclemency of the deep barred their purpose, and the south wind frightened them from sailing. Especially, when this horse was set up at last, a compacted mass of maple planks, the thunder of the storm-      25 clouds was heard the whole firmament over. In our perplexity we send Eurypylus to inquire of Phœbus'[o] oracle, and this is the gloomy message that he brings back from the shrine: "With blood it was ye appeased the winds, even with a maiden's slaughter, when first ye came, Danaans,     30 to the shore of Ilion. With blood it is ye must buy your return, and propitiate heaven by the life of an Argive!" Soon as the news reached the public ear, every mind was cowed, and a cold shudder thrilled the depth of every heart. For whom has Fate a summons? Whom does     35 Apollo demand as his prey? And now the Ithacan, with boisterous vehemence, drags forward the prophet Calchas, insists on knowing what that announcement of heaven's