Ah, faithless wife! Greece in that hour Manned fleets for thee, and shone in arms; And by thy presence Troy in place of dower Saw ruin brought, and war's alarms. Then with forebodings deep, each prophet's tongue In sad and melancholy numbers sung How, whilst long years should urge their destined sway, The harassed state must mourn, to countless ills a prey; Oh! royal house,* oh! nuptial bed To her who flies her lord's embrace, once dear: She's sought in vain, a spectre's form instead The palace haunts, and reigns in silence drear;† * Oh! royal house, &c. It has been a question who the prophets here referred to were-whether Trojan or Grecian. With Dr. Blomfield, Schutz, and Heath, we incline to the latter opinion; for it has been justly asked, how was the chorus at Mycena to know what the Trojan prophets had said or sung on occasion of Helen's flight. She's sought in vain, &c. One clause of this beautiful |