messenger to white-armed Helen, likening
herself to her husband's sister, the wife of Antenor's son, most
excelling in beauty of the daughters of Priam, Laodice, whom the son of
Antenor, king Helicaon, possessed. But she found her in her palace, and
she was weaving an ample web, a double [mantle],[150] resplendent, and
on it was working many labours both of the horse-taming Trojans and the
brazen-mailed Greeks, which on her account they suffered at the hands of
Mars. Standing near, the swift-footed Iris accosted her thus:

"Come hither, dear lady,[151] that thou mayest view the wondrous deeds
of the horse-taming Trojans, and of the brazen-mailed Greeks, who
formerly against each other waged tearful war in the plain, eager for
destructive battle. Now, however, they sit in silence (and the war has
ceased), leaning on their shields, and near them their long spears are
fixed. But Alexander and Mars-beloved Menelaus are about to fight for
thy sake with their long spears, and thou shalt be called the dear wife
of him who conquers."

Thus having spoken, the goddess infused a tender desire into her mind
both of her former husband, and of her city, and her parents. And
instantly veiling herself in white linen robes,[152] she rushed from her
chamber, shedding a tender tear: not alone, for two domestics
accompanied her, oethra, daughter of Pittheus, and large-eyed Clymene.
Then they quickly came to where the Scaean gates were. But Priam and
Panthous, and Thymoetes, Lampus, Clytius, Hicetaon, an offshoot of Mars,
Ucalegon, and Antenor, both prudent, elders of the people, sat at the
Scaean gates, long since desisting from war, through old age: but good
orators, like unto the Cicadae,[153] which, in the woods, sitting on a
tree, send forth a delicate voice; such leaders of the Trojans at that
time were sitting on the tower. But when they saw Helen coming to the
tower, in low tone they addressed to each other winged words:

[Footnote 150: By [Greek: chlainan] is understood a mantle which
could be worn doubled. Others suppose it means cloth of double
tissue.]

[Footnote 151: An affectionate use of the word [Greek: vympha],
which properly means a bride or young wife.]

[Footnote 152: The plural is used to denote a long, flowing
robe.]

[Footnote 153: some the cicada or [Greek: tettix], this is to be
considered to be the balm-cricket.]

"It is not a subject for indignation, that Trojans and well-greaved