He spake. His mother, turning homeward, gave Charge to her handmaids, who through all the town Passed, summoning the matrons, while the queen Descended to her chamber, where the air Was sweet with perfumes, and in which were laid Her rich embroidered robes, the handiwork Of Sidon’s damsels, whom her son had brought— The godlike Alexander—from the coast Of Sidon, when across the mighty deep He sailed and brought the high born Helen thence. One robe, most beautiful of all, she chose, To bring to Pallas, ampler than the rest, And many-hued; it glistened like a star, And lay beneath them all. Then hastily She left the chamber with the matron train.
They reached Minerva’s temple, and its gates Were opened by Theano, rosy-cheeked, The knight Antenor’s wife and Cisseus’ child, Made priestess to the goddess by the sons Of Troy. Then all the matrons lifted up Their voices and stretched forth their suppliant hands To Pallas, while the fair Theano took The robe and spread its folds upon the lap Of fair-haired Pallas, and with solemn vows Prayed to the daughter of imperial Jove:—
“O venerated Pallas, Guardian-Power Of Troy, great goddess! Shatter thou the lance Of Diomed, and let him fall in death Before the Scaean gates, that we forthwith May offer to thee in thy temple here Twelve yearling heifers that have never worn The yoke, if thou wilt pity us and spare The wives of Trojans and their little ones.”
So spake she, supplicating; but her prayer Minerva answered not; and while they made Vows to the daughter of Almighty Jove, Hector was