Some say thronging cavalry, some say foot soldiers, 

others call a fleet the most beautiful of 

sights the dark earth offers, but I say it's what-

            ever you love best.



And it's easy to make this understood by 

everyone, for she who surpassed all human 

kind in beauty, Helen, abandoning her

            husband--that best of



men--went sailing off to the shores of Troy and 

never spent a thought on her child or loving 

parents: when the goddess seduced her wits and

            left her to wander,



she forgot them all, she could not remember 

anything but longing, and lightly straying 

aside, lost her way. But that reminds me

            now: Anactória,



she's not here, and I'd rather see her lovely 

step, her sparkling glance and her face than gaze on

all the troops in Lydia in their chariots and

            glittering armor.

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