Chapter 57 57

The next morning, the inhabitants of Troy were either killed or taken prisoner.The Dane'a looted countless treasures wantonly in the city.The soldiers carried the spoils back to the warships by the sea.Among them: gold, silver, amber, luxurious paraphernalia, captive maidens and children.Among the crowd, Menelaus took Helen away from the chaotic city of Troy, which was still burning. He looked ashamed, but he was satisfied in his heart.His brother Agamemnon walked beside him with the noble Kassandra, which he had snatched from Ajax.Neoptolemus with Andromache, Hector's wife.Queen Herbe became a prisoner of Odysseus and walked on the road with difficulty.Countless Trojan women followed, weeping sadly all the way.Only Helen remained silent, with a shame on her face and her eyes on the ground.She shuddered with terror and turned pale when she thought of the encounter and fate that awaited her on board the warship.She hastily pulled the veil over her face, held her husband's hand and moved forward tremblingly.

When she came to the warship, the Dane'a were immediately overwhelmed by her incomparable beauty.They whispered that it was worthwhile for them to go on an expedition with Menelaus for ten years because of this stunning beauty.None of them wanted to hurt the fair woman, who left her to Menelaus, whose hatred was softened by the goddess Aphrodite, who had long since forgiven her. A joyful banquet was held on the warship, and the heroes drank happily around the table.Singers sat at the banquet, playing the harp and singing about the deeds of the great hero Achilles.They feasted till late at night, and then went to their respective camps to rest.

Now, when Helen and Menelaus were alone in the barracks, she threw herself at her husband's feet, embraced his knees and said, "I know that you have the right to punish me and put your unfaithful wife to death. But please think about it, I did not leave your palace voluntarily. Paris took advantage of your absence and threatened me by force. At that time, you were not there, and no one protected me. I also wanted to commit suicide, but the maids around me tried their best to dissuade me , asked me to think of you and our little daughter Hermione. Now you can deal with me as you please. I am infinitely regretful and fall at your feet!"

Menelaus lifted her up from the ground lovingly, and replied, "Helen, forget the past, don't be afraid! Let the past be the past, and I will not mention these things in the future! "With that, he took her into his arms and kissed her sweetly. At this time, Neoptolemus, the son of Achilles, was sleeping soundly.Suddenly the spirit of his father came to the camp, kissed his breast, lips and eyes, and said, "Don't be sad about my death, dear son, I am dead but I am now a god." .Whether in battle or in a meeting, you are to follow your father's example. In a battle, you must be at the forefront. In a meeting, you should respect the elders and listen to their wise speech. Like your father, you must fight Honor, rejoice in happiness and do not mourn in misfortune. My early death will teach you that there is only one step between life and death, because human beings bloom and fall like spring flowers. Finally, please tell Grand Commander Agamemnon, sacrifice to me the most precious booty, so that I will have nothing to lack on the holy mountain of Olympus!"

When Achilles had finished speaking, he left Neoptolemus like a breeze, and the little hero awoke, glad that his father had lived to speak to him. In the early morning of the next day, the people of Danai got up, and their homesickness made them long to go back early.They were about to break anchor when the grandson of Peleus came to dissuade them. "Listen, brothers of Dannea," he cried in a young and strong voice, "my father dreamed to me this night, and he asked me to tell you that you should sacrifice to him your most precious spoils. Let him also share in the glory, and join us in celebrating the destruction of Troy. Therefore you must not leave the shore until you have fulfilled your sacred duty to the dead. If he had not defeated Hector, how would you have achieved Today's victory?"

The Dane'a piously decided to grant the deceased hero's wish.The sea god Poseidon sympathized with the son of Peleus very much, and set off a huge wave on the sea, making the Greeks unable to leave even if they wanted to.When the Greeks saw the roaring waves and the howling wind, they whispered to each other: "Achilles is indeed the descendant of Zeus. You see, the sky also supports his request!" Therefore, they were more willing to obey the orders of the dead, and rushed to the tomb of the hero towering on the coast together. Now the question is: what is the most precious trophy?What should I offer him as a sacrifice?Each brought out his jewels and captives.When all was examined, all the gold, silver, and treasure paled in comparison to the beautiful young girl Polyxena.Polyxena was the daughter of King Priam.The Greeks agreed that she was the most precious of the trophies.

The girl saw that everyone was looking at her, but she was not afraid, because she was willing to sacrifice to Achilles.She had seen the heroic appearance of Achilles many times on the top of the city. Although he was her enemy, his burly figure and superhuman courage left a deep impression on her.It is said that Achilles once approached the city gate and saw a beautiful girl standing on the city gate. He immediately fell in love with her and shouted to her: "Daughter of Priam, if you belong to me , perhaps I will let your father shake hands with the Dannea!" After saying this, the great hero immediately regretted his slip of the tongue, but it is said that Polyxena was deeply moved by it.From then on, she passionately admired this enemy of the Trojans.

Now, when everyone thinks that she is the best gift for a great hero, the girl is calm and composed.A high altar was built before Achilles' tomb, and all the sacrifices were offered.Suddenly the king's daughter jumped out of the line of female captives, drew a sharp knife from the utensils in front of the altar, and stabbed herself in the heart, and immediately she fell into a pool of blood. The people around let out a horrible scream.The old queen Hecuba threw herself on her daughter's body, and wept bitterly. After Polyxena fell dead, the sea became calm again.Neoptolemus went up to the altar in sympathy, and helped them remove the girl's body, and buried her with the rites of a princess.

Then the Argives held a council.Nestor stood up and said: "At last the time has come for us to go home. The sea god has calmed the storm, and Achilles is satisfied. He accepts the sacrifice of Polyxena. Let us push the boat into the sea." , set sail and set off!"