Page:History of the destruction of Troy (2).pdf/23

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the Destruction of Troy. 23

which many chiefs were slain on both sides, the Trojans made overtures of peace to the Greeks, promising to deliver Helen, and ty part of their charge, if they would de- part into their own country, which they seemed to hearken to; but one Simon, a crafty fellow among them, in the mean time, contrived a mighty horse of wood, a- ble to hold a band of armed men in its bel- ly. This he persuaded the Greeks to offer the Trojans in recompence for their palla- num, that so Pallas being appeased, they might have a false return. The stratagem being approved a feigned peace was made by the means of Antechor and Anneas,

  • aytors to their own country, though a-
    • inst the mind of king Priamus. The

horse was accordingly drawn into the city,

  • lysses and an hundred men being conceal-

ed within it; when the Trojans, thinking the war was over, rejoiced exceedingly, feasting and making merry throughout the city; the Greeks to all appearance were re- tired to their ships, and their sails hoisted, ready to depart. At midnight the un- thinking Trojans, being buried as it were in sleep and wine, the trap door of the horse was opened, Ulysses, and his com- panions descended, and after they had slain the guards and seized the gates, gave a sig- nal to the Greeks, who immediately rushed to the city, broke open the houses of

                               those