Displeased, the goddess Venus answered: “Wretch, Incense me not, lest I abandon thee In anger, and detest thee with a zeal As great as is my love, and lest I cause Trojans and Greeks to hate thee, so that thou Shalt miserably perish.” Thus she spake; And Helen, Jove-begotten, struck with awe, Wrapped in a robe of shining white, went forth In silence from amidst the Trojan dames, Unheeded, for the goddess led the way.

When now they stood beneath the sumptuous roof Of Alexander, straightway did the maids Turn to their wonted tasks, while she went up, Fairest of women, to her chamber. There The laughing Venus brought and placed a seat Right opposite to Paris. Helen sat, Daughter of aegis-bearing Jove, with eyes Averted, and reproached her husband thus:⁠—