tales of troy(特罗伊的传说)-第4章
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Tales of Troy
THE STEALING OF HELEN
This happy time did not last long； and Telemachus was still a baby；
when war arose； so great and mighty and marvellous as had never been
known in the world。 Far across the sea that lies on the east of Greece；
there dwelt the rich King Priam。 His town was called Troy； or Ilios； and
it stood on a hill near the seashore； where are the straits of Hellespont；
between Europe and Asia； it was a great city surrounded by strong walls；
and its ruins are still standing。 The kings could make merchants who
passed through the straits pay toll to them； and they had allies in Thrace； a
part of Europe opposite Troy； and Priam was chief of all princes on his
side of the sea； as Agamemnon was chief king in Greece。 Priam had
many beautiful things； he had a vine made of gold； with golden leaves and
clusters； and he had the swiftest horses； and many strong and brave sons；
the strongest and bravest was named Hector； and the youngest and most
beautiful was named Paris。
There was a prophecy that Priam's wife would give birth to a burning
torch； so； when Paris was born； Priam sent a servant to carry the baby into
a wild wood on Mount Ida； and leave him to die or be eaten by wolves and
wild cats。 The servant left the child； but a shepherd found him； and
brought him up as his own son。 The boy became as beautiful； for a boy；
as Helen was for a girl； and was the best runner； and hunter； and archer
among the country people。 He was loved by the beautiful OEnone； a
nymphthat is； a kind of fairywho dwelt in a cave among the woods of
Ida。 The Greeks and Trojans believed in these days that such fair
nymphs haunted all beautiful woodland places； and the mountains； and
wells； and had crystal palaces； like mermaids； beneath the waves of the sea。
These fairies were not mischievous； but gentle and kind。 Sometimes they
married mortal men； and OEnone was the bride of Paris； and hoped to
keep him for her own all the days of his life。
It was believed that she had the magical power of healing wounded
men； however sorely they were hurt。 Paris and OEnone lived most
happily together in the forest； but one day； when the servants of Priam had
driven off a beautiful bull that was in the herd of Paris； he left the hills to
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Tales of Troy
seek it； and came into the town of Troy。 His mother； Hecuba； saw him；
and looking at him closely； perceived that he wore a ring which she had
tied round her baby's neck when he was taken away from her soon after
his birth。 Then Hecuba； beholding him so beautiful； and knowing him to
be her son； wept for joy； and they all forgot the prophecy that he would be
a burning torch of fire； and Priam gave him a house like those of his
brothers； the Trojan princes。
The fame of beautiful Helen reached Troy； and Paris quite forgot
unhappy OEnone； and must needs go to see Helen for himself。 Perhaps he
meant to try to win her for his wife； before her marriage。 But sailing was
little understood in these times； and the water was wide； and men were
often driven for years out of their course； to Egypt； and Africa； and far
away into the unknown seas； where fairies lived in enchanted islands； and
cannibals dwelt in caves of the hills。
Paris came much too late to have a chance of marrying Helen；
however； he was determined to see her； and he made his way to her palace
beneath the mountain Taygetus； beside the clear swift river Eurotas。 The
servants came out of the hall when they heard the sound of wheels and
horses' feet； and some of them took the horses to the stables； and tilted the
chariots against the gateway； while others led Paris into the hall； which
shone like the sun with gold and silver。 Then Paris and his companions
were led to the baths； where they were bathed； and clad in new clothes；
mantles of white； and robes of purple； and next they were brought before
King Menelaus； and he welcomed them kindly； and meat was set before
them； and wine in cups of gold。 While they were talking； Helen came
forth from her fragrant chamber； like a Goddess； her maidens following
her； and carrying for her an ivory distaff with violet… coloured wool； which
she span as she sat； and heard Paris tell how far he had travelled to see her
who was so famous for her beauty even in countries far away。
Then Paris knew that he had never seen； and never could see； a lady so
lovely and gracious as Helen as she sat and span； while the red drops fell
and vanished from the ruby called the Star； and Helen knew that among all
the princes in the world there was none so beautiful as Paris。 Now some
say that Paris； by art magic； put on the appearance of Menelaus； and asked
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Tales of Troy
Helen to come sailing with him； and that she； thinking he was her husband；
followed him； and he carried her across the wide waters of Troy； away
from her lord and her one beautiful little daughter； the child Hermione。
And others say that the Gods carried Helen herself off to Egypt； and that
they made in her likeness a beautiful ghost； out of flowers and sunset
clouds； whom Paris bore to Troy； and this they did to cause war between
Greeks and Trojans。 Another story is that Helen and her bower maiden
and her jewels were seized by force； when Menelaus was out hunting。 It
is only certain that Paris and Helen did cross the seas together； and that
Menelaus and little Hermione were left alone in the melancholy palace
beside the Eurotas。 Penelope； we know for certain； made no excuses for
her beautiful cousin； but hated her as the cause of her own sorrows and of
the deaths of thousands of men in war； for all the Greek princes were
bound by their oath to fight for Menelaus against any one who injured him
and stole his wife away。 But Helen was very unhappy in Troy； and
blamed herself as bitterly as all the other women blamed her； and most of
all OEnone； who had been the love of Paris。 The men were much more
kind to Helen； and were determined to fight to the death rather than lose
the sight of her beauty among them。
The news of the dishonour done to Menelaus and to all the princes of
Greece ran through the country like fire through a forest。 East and west
and south and north went the news： to kings in their castles on the hills；
and beside the rivers and on cliffs above the sea。 The cry came to ancient
Nestor of the white beard at Pylos； Nestor who had reigned over two
generations of men； who had fought against the wild folk of the hills； and
remembered the strong Heracles； and Eurytus of the black bow that sang
before the day of battle。
The cry came to black…bearded Agamemnon； in his strong town called
〃golden Mycenae；〃 because it was so rich； it came to the people in Thisbe；
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