condition of things lasted long, he devised an impious deed; for he took
two children of natives and made sacrifice of them. After this, when it
was known that he had done so, he became abhorred, and being pursued he
escaped and got away in his ships to Libya; but whither he went besides
after this, the Egyptians were not able to tell. Of these things they
said that they found out part by inquiries, and the rest, namely that
which happened in their own land, they related from sure and certain
knowledge.

Thus the priests of the Egyptians told me; and I myself also agree with
the story which was told of Helen, adding this consideration, namely
that if Helen had been in Ilion she would have been given up to the
Hellenes, whether Alexander consented or no; for Priam assuredly was not
so mad, nor yet the others of his house, that they were desirous to run
risk of ruin for themselves and their children and their city, in order
that Alexander might have Helen as his wife: and even supposing that
during the first part of the time they had been so inclined, yet when
many others of the Trojans besides were losing their lives as often as
they fought with the Hellenes, and of the sons of Priam himself always
two or three or even more were slain when a battle took place (if one
may trust at all to the Epic poets),--when, I say, things were coming
thus to pass, I consider that even if Priam himself had had Helen as his
wife, he would have given her back to the Achaians, if at least by so
doing he might be freed from the evils which oppressed him. Nor even
was the kingdom coming to Alexander next, so that when Priam was old the
government was in his hands; but Hector, who was both older and more
of a man than he, would certainly have received it after the death of
Priam; and him it behoved not to allow his brother to go on with his
wrong-doing, considering that great evils were coming to pass on his
account both to himself privately and in general to the other Trojans.
In truth however they lacked the power to give Helen back; and the
Hellenes did not believe them, though they spoke the truth; because,
as I declare my opinion, the divine power was purposing to cause them
utterly to perish, and so make it evident to men that for great wrongs
great also are the chastisements which come from the gods. And thus have
I delivered my opinion concerning these matters.

After Proteus, they told me, Rhampsinitos received in succession the
k