Poetry Visualized - ORFEO AND ETAIN 11 Fall Of Troy

ORFEO AND ETAIN 11 Fall of Troy

I learned this ballad in my youth. Perhaps the tale will bring you joy. Our elders tell our people of The Fall of Troy. Great Hektor was a Trojan prince. 'Twixt Greece and Troy there grew great strife When Paris charmed a Grecian King And stole his wife. Then Menelaus summoned Greece. He planned and boasted o'er his wine. "I vow I will reclaim my wife. Fair Helen's mine!" Achilles came to conquer Troy. So great his fame all Trojans fled. But Hektor fought until he thought Achilles dead. Alas, when Hektor stripped his arms Achilles' friend instead he spied. "What trick of god or man is this?" Sad Hektor cried. Achilles slept within his tent. When he awoke his wrath grew sore! Patroklos dead! His armor now Fierce Hektor wore! Though Hektor kept the Greeks at bay He went back into Troy and bade His mother, "Hurry, ask the gods To send us aid!" Andromeda, his wife, grew faint And Hektor laughed at her alarm. She didn't recognize him in Achilles' arms! "Your father and your son will die If you die, Hektor. Who will save Your mother and your wife when we Are sold as slaves?" Said Hektor, "No! I can't remain. We live and die within fate's plan. Pray may you never have to love Another man." As Hektor kissed his wife and babe The Trojans fled inside Troy's gate. But he went out on to the plain To meet his fate. Andromeda sat at her loom. But how she shivered when she spied Bold Paris holding Helen close, The fickle bride. Before Athena's sacrifice Dame Hecuba fell on her knees. "Oh Goddess, pity Illiam! Have mercy, please!" And Priam cried, "My son, my son! Your strength and deeds have won you fame. If you withdraw behind the gate You'll know no blame." Upon her loom Andromeda Worked woof and warp to bright array. "He must be past the gates," she thought. "Well on his way." Achilles newly clad ran swift. So brightly flashed the shield he bore. He spied his former helm and arms Which Hektor wore. Andromeda called for his robes. For Hektor's bath a fire burned. "The loot," she said. "They'll soon divide Then he'll return." Great Hektor stood before Troy's walls. Though brave his heart became forlorn. Once more he had to fight the man Of goddess born. Within her grasp the shuttle paused. "By now he must be turning round." Her "little Hektor" by her slept Without a sound. Achilles lifted up his helm. When Hektor saw his wrathful eyes He knew the luck of Troy had passed And he would die. Achilles' spear pierced Hektor's throat. Each Trojan heart felt sadness swell. Andromeda her baby seized. The shuttle fell.