Page:The Argonautics of Apollonius Rhodius.djvu/419

Rh V. 482. Cassandra from her tower ] Cassandra was the daughter of Priam, and priestess of Apollo. Apollo gave her the gift of prophecy; but, on her refusing to comply with the conditions on which it was; given her, he rendered it ineffectual, by ordaining that her predictions should never be believed. Hence it was, that, when Paris set sail for Greece in pursuit of Helen, her prophecy, that he should bring home a flame, which should consume his country, was not regarded. Her appearance therefore on the present occasion is quite in character; and our poet has shewn his judgment by the representation he has given of her.