“SucharmourIhaveknownindeed，andsuchamanonceworeit。ThearmourisfashionedlikethearmourofParis，Priam’sson——ParisofIlios；butParishathlongbeendead。“
“Andwhoisshe，“criedtheCaptain，“sheonwhosebreastaRedStarburns，whoridesinthechariotofhimwiththegoldenarmour，whoseshapeistheshapeofBeauty，andwhosingsaloudwhilemengodowntodeath？“
Thentheagedleaderofmenlookedforthagainandanswered:
“SuchaonehaveIknown，indeed；soshewaswonttosing，andherswassuchashapeofbeauty，andsuchaStarshoneeveronherbreast。
HelenofIlios——ArgiveHelenitwaswhoworeit——Helen，becauseofwhoselovelinesstheworldgrewdarkwithdeath；butlongisHelendead。“
NowtheWandererglancedfromhischariotandsawthecrestsoftheAch？ansandthedevicesontheshieldsofmenwithwhosefathershehadfoughtbeneaththewallsofIlios。Hesawandhisheartwasstirredwithinhim，sothatheweptthereinthechariot。
“Alas！forthefatethatisonme，“hecried，“thatImustmakemylastbattleintheserviceofastrangeragainstmyownpeopleandthechildrenofmyowndearfriends。“
“Weepnot，Odysseus，“saidHelen，“forFatedrivestheeon——Fatethatiscruelandchangeless，andheedsnotthelovesorhatesofmen。Weepnot，Odysseys，butgoonupagainsttheAch？ans，forfromamongthemthydeathcomes。“
SotheWandererwenton，sickatheart，shootingnoshaftsandstrikingnoblow，andafterhimcametheremnantofthehostofPharaoh。Thenhehaltedthehost，andathisbiddingReidroveslowlydownthewallseekingaplacetostormit，andashedrovetheyshotatthechariotfromthewallwithspearsandslingsandarrows。ButnotyetwastheWandererdoomed。Hetooknohurt，nordidanyhurtcometoReinortothehorsesthatdrewthechariot，andasforHelen，theshaftsofDeathknewherandturnedaside。NowwhiletheydrovethusReitoldtheWandererofthedeathofPharaoh，oftheburningoftheTempleofHathor，andoftheflightofHelen。TheWandererhearkenedandsaidbutonething，forinallthishesawthehandofFate。
“Itistimetomakeanend，Rei，forsoonwillMeriamunbeseekingus，andmethinksthatIhaveleftatrailthatshecanfollow，“andhenoddedatthepiled-updeadthatstretchedfurtherthantheeyecouldreach。
NowtheywerecomeoveragainstthatspotinthewallwherestoodtheagedCaptainoftheAch？ans，whohadlikenedthearmouroftheWanderertothearmourofParis，andthebeautyofherathissidetothebeautyofArgiveHelen。
TheCaptainloosedhisbowatthechariot，andleaningforwardwatchedtheflightoftheshaft。ItrushedstraightatHelen’sbreast，thenofasuddenturnedaside，harminghernot。Andashemarvelledsheliftedherfaceandlookedtowardshim。ThenhesawandknewherforthatHelenwhomhehadseenwhileheservedwithCretanIdomeneusintheArgiveships，whentheleaguerwasdoneandthesmokewentupfromburningIlios。
Againhelooked，andlo！ontheWanderer’sgoldenshieldhesawtheWhiteBull，thedeviceofParis，sonofPriam，asofttimeshehadseenitglitteronthewallsofTroy。Thengreatfeartookhim，andhelifteduphishandsandcriedaloud:
“Fly，yeAch？ans！Fly！Backtoyourcurvedshipsandawayfromthisaccursedland。ForyonderinthechariotstandsArgiveHelen，whoislongdead，andwithherParis，sonofPriam，cometowreakthewoesofIliosonthesonsofthosewhowastedher。Fly，erethecursesmiteyou。“
ThenagreatcryoffearrosefromthehostoftheAch？ans，ascompanycalledtocompanythattheghostsofParisofIliosandArgiveHelenledthearmiesofPharaohontovictory。Amomenttheygazedasfrightenedsheepgazeuponthecreepingwolves，thenturningfromthewall，theyrushedheadlongtotheirships。
BehindthemcamethesoldiersofPharaoh，stormingthewallsandtearingattheirflanksaswolvesteartheflyingsheep。ThentheAch？ansturnedatbay，andamightyfrayragedroundtheships，andthekneesofmanywereloosened。Andoftheships，somewereburnedandsomewereleftuponthebank。Butaremnantofthemwerepushedoffintothedeepwater，andhungthereontheiroarswaitingfortheendofthefray。
Nowthesunwasgonedown，sothatmencouldscarceseetoslayeachother。TheWandererstoodhischariotonthebank，watchingthebattle，forhewasweary，andhadlittlemindtoswelltheslaughterofthepeopleofhisownland。
Nowthelastshipwaspushedoff，andatlengththegreatbattlewasdone。Butamongthoseontheshipwasamanstillyoung，andthegoodliestandmightiestamongallthehostoftheAch？ans。ByhisownstrengthandvalourhehadheldtheEgyptiansbackwhilehiscomradesranthecurvedshipdownthebeach，andtheWanderer，lookingonhim，deemedhimtheirhardiestwarriorandmostworthyoftheAch？ans。
Hestooduponthepoopoftheship，andsawthelightfromtheburningvesselsgleamontheWanderer’sgoldenhelm。Thenofasuddenhedrewamightybowandloosedanarrowchargedwithdeath。
“ThisgifttotheGhostofParisfromTelegonus，sonofCirceandofOdysseus，whowasParis’foe，“hecriedwithaloudvoice。
Andashecriedit，andasthefatefulwordsstruckontheearsofOdysseusandtheearsofHelen，theshaft，pointedbytheGods，rushedon。Itrushedon，itsmotetheWandererwithadeadlywoundwherethegoldenbody-plateofhisharnessjoinedthetaslets，andpiercedhimthrough。Thenheknewthathisfatewasaccomplished，andthatdeathcameuponhimfromthewater，astheghostofTiresiasinHadeshadforetold。Inhispain，forthelasttimeofall，heletfallhisshieldandtheblackbowofEurytus。WithonehandheclaspedtherailofthechariotandtheotherhethrewabouttheneckoftheGoldenHelen，whobentbeneathhisweightlikealilybeforethestorm。Thenhealsocriedaloudinanswer:
“Oh，Telegonus，sonofCirce，whatwickednesshastthouwroughtbeforetheawfulGodsthatthiscurseshouldhavebeenlaidupontheetoslayhimwhobegatthee？Hearken，thousonofCirce，IamnotParis，IamOdysseusofIthaca，whobegatthee，andthouhastbroughtmydeathuponmefromthewater，astheGhostforetold。“
WhenTelegonusheardthesewords，andknewthathehadslainhisfather，thefamedOdysseus，whomhehadsoughtthewholeworldthrough，hewouldhavecasthimselfintotheriver，theretodrown，butthosewithhimheldhimbystrength，andthestreamtookthecurvedshipandfloateditaway。AndthusforthefirstandlasttimedidtheGodsgiveittoTelegonustolookuponthefaceandhearthevoiceofhisfather，Odysseus。
ButwhentheAch？ansknewthatitwasthelostOdysseuswhohadledthehostofPharaohagainstthearmiesoftheNineNations，theywonderednomoreattheskilloftheambushandthegreatnessofthevictoryofPharaoh。
NowthechariotsofMeriamunwerepursuing，andtheysplashedthroughthebloodofmeninthepass，androlledoverthebodiesofmenintheplainbeyondthepass。Theycametothecampsandfoundthempeopledwithdead，andlitwiththelampsoftheblazingshipsoftheAquaiusha。ThenMeriamuncriedaloud:
“SurelyPharaohgrewwisebeforehedied，forthereisbutonemanontheearthwhowithsosmallaforcecouldhavewonsogreatafray。HehathsavedthecrownofKhem，andbyOsirisheshallwearit。“
NowthechariotsofMeriamunhadpassedthecampofthebarbarians，andwerecometotheinnercampoftheAch？ans，andthesoldiersshoutedasshecamedrivingfuriously。
TheWandererlaydyingontheground，therebytheriver-bank，andthelightoftheburningshipsflamedonhisgoldenarmour，andontheStaratHelen’sbreast。
“Whydothesoldiersshout？“heasked，liftinghisheadfromHelen’sbreast。
“TheyshoutbecauseMeriamuntheQueeniscome，“Reianswered。
“Lethercome，“saidtheWanderer。
NowMeriamunsprangfromherchariotandwalked，throughthesoldierswhomadeway，bowingbeforeherroyalty，towheretheWandererlay，andstoodspeechlesslookingonhim。
ButtheWandererliftinghisheadspakefaintly:
“Hail！OQueen！“hesaid，“IhaveaccomplishedthechargethatPharaohlaiduponme。ThehostoftheNine-bowbarbariansisutterlydestroyed，thefleetoftheAquaiushaisburned，orfled，thelandofKhemisfreefromfoes。WhereisPharaoh，thatImaymakereporttohimereIdie？“
“Pharaohisdead，Odysseus，“sheanswered。“Oh，liveon！liveon！andthyselfthoushaltbePharaoh。“
“Ay，MeriamuntheQueen，“answeredtheWanderer，“Iknowall。ThePharaohisdead！ThoudidstslayPharaoh，thinkingthustowinmeforthyLord，me，whoamwonofDeath。HeavilyshallthebloodofPharaohlieupontheeinthatlandwhitherIgo，Meriamun，andwhitherthoumustfollowswiftly。ThoudidstslayPharaoh，andHelen，whothroughthyguileislosttome，thouwouldsthaveslainalso，butthoucouldstnotharmherimmortality。AndnowIdie，andthisistheendofalltheseLovesandWarsandWanderings。Mydeathhascomeuponmefromthewater。“
Meriamunstoodspeechless，forherheartwastornintwo，sothatinhergriefsheforgotevenherrageagainstHelenandReithePriest。
ThenHelenspoke。“Thoudiestindeed，Odysseus，yetitisbutforalittletime，forthoushaltcomeagainandfindmewaiting。“
“Ay，Odysseus，“saidtheQueen，“andIalsowillcomeagain，andthoushaltlovemethen。Oh，nowthefutureopens，andIknowthethingsthataretobe。BeneaththeWingsofTruthshallwemeetagain，Odysseus。“
“Thereshallwemeetagain，Odysseus，andtherethoushaltdrawtheVeilofTruth，“saidtheHelen。
“Yea，“quoththedyingWanderer；“thereorotherwhereshallwemeetagain，andthereandotherwhereloveandhateshallloseandwin，anddietoariseagain。Butnotyetisthestruggleendedthatbeganinotherworldsthanthis，andshallenduretillevilislostingood，anddarknessswallowedupinlight。Bethinkthee，Meriamun，ofthatvisionofthybridalnight，andreaditsriddle。Lo！IwillansweritwithmylastbreathastheGodshavegivenmewisdom。Whenwethreeareoncemoretwain，thenshalloursinbepurgedandpeacebewon，andtheveilbedrawnfromthefaceofTruth。Oh，Helen，faretheewell！Ihavesinnedagainstthee，IhaveswornbytheSnakewhoshouldhaveswornbytheStar，andthereforeIhavelostthee。“
“ThouhastbutlosttofindagainbeyondtheGatewaysoftheWest，“
sheansweredlow。
Thenshebentdown，andtakinghiminherarms，kissedhim，whisperinginhisear，andthebloodofmenthatfelleverfromtheStaruponherbreast，droppedlikedewuponhisbrow，andvanishedasitdropped。
Andasshewhisperedofjoytobe，andthingstooholytobewritten，thefaceoftheWanderergrewbright，likethefaceofaGod。
Thensuddenlyhisheadfellback，andhewasdead，deadupontheheartoftheWorld’sDesire。ForthuswasfulfilledtheoathofIdalianAphrodite，andthusatthelastdidOdysseuslieinthearmsoftheGoldenHelen。
NowMeriamunclaspedherbreast，andherlipsturnedwhitewithpain。
ButHelenrose，andstandingattheWanderer’sheadlookedonMeriamun，whostoodathisfeet。
“Mysister，“saidHelentotheQueen；“seenowtheendofall。Hewhomwelovedislosttous，andwhathastthougained？Nay，looknotsofiercelyonme。Imaynotbeharmedofthee，asthouhastseen，andthoumayestnotbeharmedofme，whowouldharmnone，thougheverthouwilthatemewhohatetheenot，andtillthoulearnesttoloveme，SinshallbethyportionandBitternessthycomfort。“
ButMeriamunspokenoword。
ThenHelenbeckonedtoReiandspaketohim，andReiwentweepingtodoherbidding。
Presentlyhereturnedagain，andwithhimweresoldiersbearingtorches。ThesoldiersliftedupthebodyoftheWanderer，andboreittoamightypyrethatwasbuiltupofthewealthofthebarbarians，ofchariots，spears，andtheoarsofships，ofwondrousfabrics，andcostlyfurniture。AndtheylaidtheWandereronthepyre，andonhisbreasttheylaidtheblackbowofEurytus。
ThenHelenspoketoReioncemore，andReitookatorchandfiredthepyresothatsmokeandflameburstfromit。AndallthewhileMeriamunstoodbyasonewhodreams。
Nowthegreatpyrewasamassofflame，andthegoldenarmouroftheWanderershonethroughtheflame，andtheblackbowtwistedandcrumbledintheheat。ThenofasuddenMeriamungaveagreatcry，andtearingthesnakegirdlefromhermiddlehurleditontheflames。
“Fromfirethoucamest，thouAncientEvil，“shesaidinadeadtongue；
“tofiregettheebackagain，falsecounsellor。“
ButReithePriestcalledaloudinthesametongue:
“Anilldeedthouhastdone，OQueen，forthouhasttakentheSnaketothybosom，andwheretheSnakepassestherethoumustfollow。“
EvenashespokethefaceofMeriamungrewfixed，andshewasdrawnslowlytowardsthefire，asthoughbyinvisiblehands。Nowshestoodonitsverybrink，andnowwithoneloudwailsheplungedintoitandcastherselfatlengthonthebodyoftheWanderer。
Andasshelaythereonthebody，beholdtheSnakeawokeinthefire。
Itawoke，itgrew，ittwineditselfaboutthebodyofMeriamunandthebodyoftheWanderer，andliftingitshead，itlaughed。
Thenthefirefellin，andtheWandererandMeriamuntheQueen，andtheSnakethatwrappedthemround，vanishedintheheartoftheflames。
ForawhiletheGoldenHelenstoodstill，lookingonthedyingfire。
Thensheletherveilfall，andturning，wanderedforthintothedesertandthenight，singingasshepassed。
Andsoshegoes，wandering，wandering，tillOdysseuscomesagain。
NowthisisthetalethatI，ReithePriest，havebeenbiddentosetforthbeforeIlaymedowntosleepinmysplendidtombthatIhavemadereadybyThebes。Leteverymanreaditashewill，andeverywomanastheGodshavegivenherwit。
ThouthatofolddidstblindStesichorus，Ife’er，sweetHelen，suchathingbefell，Wepraytheeofthygrace，begoodtous，ThoughlittleinourtaleaccordethwellWiththatthineancientminstrelhadtotell，Whosaw，withsightlesseyesgrownluminous，TheseIliansorrows，andwhoheardtheswellOfoceanroundtheworldringthunderous，AndthyvoicebreakwhenknightlyHectorfell！
AndthouwhoallthesemanyyearshastborneToseethegreatwebsoftheweavingtornBypunyhandsofdull，o’er-learnedmen，Homer，forgiveusthatthyhero’sstarOncemoreaboveseawavesandwavesofwar，Mustrise，musttriumph，andmustsetagain！
End
