Helen Wept

H ELEN wept on the windy parapet:
She saw, far off, wide as the sky's embrace,
The camps of Greece that seemed to fill all space…
But it was not for heart-break nor regret
Nor any dimming dream in memory set
That those slow tears crept down her lovely face:
Nor was she mourning over her disgrace—
Or that both Greeks and Trojans held her base,—
Nor for whole skies of woe that darkened yet:

Nor did she weep because of Paris dead,
Nor for that one child that her breasts had fed…
Because of her two worlds of men ran mad,
Combating to and fro in dreadful fight:
Despite her tender heart, this made her glad,
And, womanlike, she wept from sad delight!
Translation: 
Language: 
Rate this poem: 

Reviews

No reviews yet.