His noble brother Hector as he turned
To leave the place in which his wife and he
Had talked together. Alexander then --
Of godlike form -- addressed his brother thus: --

"My elder brother! I have kept thee here
Waiting, I fear, for me, though much in haste,
And came less quickly than thou didst desire."

And Hector of the plumèd helm replied: --
"Strange being, no man justly can dispraise
Thy martial deeds, for thou art truly brave.
But oft art thou remiss and wilt not join
The combat. I am sad at heart to hear
The Trojans -- they who suffer for thy sake
A thousand hardships -- speak so ill of thee.
Yet let us go: we will confer of this
Another time, if Jove should e'er vouchsafe
That to the immortal gods of heaven we pour
In our own halls the cup of liberty
When we have chased the well-armed Greeks from
Troy."

T HE illustrious Hector spake, and rapidly Passed through the gate, and with him issued
forth His brother Alexander, -- eager, both, For war and combat. As when God bestows,

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