and ye who dwell Beneath the earth and punish after death Those who have sworn false oaths, bear witness ye, And keep unbroken this day’s promises. If Alexander in the combat slay My brother Menelaus, he shall keep Helen and all her wealth, while we return Homeward in our good ships. If, otherwise, The bright-haired Menelaus take the life Of Alexander, Helen and her wealth Shall be restored, and they of Troy shall pay Such fine as may be meet, and may be long Remembered in the ages yet to come. And then if, after Alexander’s fall, Priam and Priam’s sons refuse the fine, I shall make war for it, and keep my place By Troy until I gain the end I seek.”
So spake the king, and with the cruel steel Cut the lambs’ throats, and laid them on the ground, Panting and powerless, for the dagger took Their lives away. Then over them they poured Wine from the chalice, drawn in golden cups, And prayed to the ever-living gods; and thus Were Trojans and Achaians heard to say:—
“O Jupiter most mighty and august! Whoever first shall break these solemn oaths, So may their brains flow down upon the earth— Theirs and their children’s—like the wine we pour, And be their wives the wives of other men.”
Such was the people’s vow. Saturnian Jove Confirmed it not. Then Priam, of the line Of Dardanus, addressed the armies thus:—
“Hear me, ye Trojans, and ye well-greaved Greeks! For me I must return to wind-swept Troy. I cannot bear, with these old eyes, to look On my dear son engaged in desperate fight With Menelaus, the beloved of Mars. Jove and the ever-living gods alone Know which of them shall meet the doom of death.”
So spake the godlike man, and placed the lambs Within his chariot, mounted, and drew up The reins. Antenor by him took his place Within the sumptuous chariot. Then they turned The horses and retraced their way to Troy.