, there were three
fateful events which would prove her downfall: if the
image[N] disappeared from the citadel; still a second,
the death of Troilus[O]; the third, when the upper lintel
of the Phrygian gate should be torn away. Counterparts of
these three are three fateful events, too, in the case of
this Ilium of ours.

[Footnote N: The Palladium, a statue of Pallas]

[Footnote O: A son of Priam, slain by Achilles]

nam dudum primo ut dixeram nostro seni mendacium
et de hospite et de auro et de lembo, ibi signum ex arce iam abstuli.
iam duo restabant fata tunc, nec magis id ceperam oppidum.
post ubi tabellas ad senem detuli, ibi occidi Troilum, 960
cum censuit Mnesilochum cum uxore esse dudum militis.[26] (961)

For a little while ago when I first told our old man that
lie about his friend and the gold and the galley, I there
and then stole the image from the citadel. Even then two
fateful events were yet to come, and the town was still
untaken. Later, on carrying the letter to the old man,
I then slew my Troilus, when he thought Mnesilochus a
short time ago was with the Captain's wife.[26]

post cum magnifico milite, urbes verbis qui mermus capit, (966)
conflixi atque hominem reppuli; dein pugnam conserui seni:
eum ego adeo uno mendacio devici, uno ictu extempulo
cepi spolia. is nunc ducentos nummos Philippos militi,
quos dare se promisit, dabit, 970
nunc alteris etiam ducentis usus est, qui dispensentur
Ilio capto, ut sit mulsum qui triumphent milites.[27] (972)

Still later I closed with the noble Captain--who captures
cities with no weapon save his mighty tongue--and hurled him
back. Next I joined battle with the old man: aye, and him I
struck down with a single lie; a single blow, and the spoils
were mine. He now will give the Captain the two hundred
pounds he promised him. And now there is need of another two
hundred still, to be disbursed, on Ilium's capture, that the
soldiery may have wine and honey to celebrate their victory.[27]

sed Priamum adstantem eccum ante portam video.
adibo atque adloquar. (978)

[ENTER _Nicobulus_ FROM HIS HOUSE.] Aha, though! I see Priam
standing before the gate. I'll up and address him.