The noble, noble; nor 'neath fortune's stress
Marreth his nature, but is good alway.
By blood, or nurture, is the difference made?
Sooth, gentle nurture bringeth lessoning600
In nobleness; and whoso learns this well
By honour's touchstone knoweth baseness too:—
Ah, unavailing arrows of the mind[1]!
But go thou, to the Argives this proclaim,
That none my daughter touch, but that they keep605
The crowd thence: in a war-array untold
Lawless the mob is, and the shipmen's license
Outraveneth flame. 'Tis sin if one sin not.[2]
But, ancient handmaid, take a vessel thou,
And dip, and of the sea-brine hither bring,610
That with the last bath I may wash my child,—
The bride unwedded, maid a maid no more,[3]—
And lay her out—as meet is, how can I?
Yet as I may; for lo, what plight is mine!
Jewels from fellow-captives will I gather615
Which dwell my neighbour-thralls these tents within,
If haply any, to our lords unknown,
Hath any stolen treasure of her home.
O stately halls, O home so happy once!
O rich in fair abundance, goodliest offspring,620
Priam!—and I, a grey head crowned with sons!
How are we brought to nought, of olden pride
Stripped bare! And lo, we men are puffèd up,
