Middletown transcript., 1874-05-16
NIGHT ATTACK ON TROY.

The following is description of the
second book Of Virgil. in which Eneas
gives Dido an account of the destruction
Of Troy. and of bis own escape from the
burning city.
The generals of the Greeks were very
much discouraged by the long war, and
at length resolved to effect by stratagem
what they ceuld not by arms. They
built very large horse and pretended
that it was an offering for their return to
their native land, and in place of the Pal
ladium which they had carried off. They
filed the hollow body of the horse with
armed men, and smbarking in their ships.
left the horse on the plain. They then
went behind small island short DIS
tance from the coast of Troy, and hid.
The Trojans thought that they had left for
Greece, and they opened the gates of the
city, and rushed out on the plains to the
deserted camp of the enemy. They
admired the great horse, and some advised
to draw it into the city, but LAGOON,
more wise than the rest, advised that it be
burnt, or thrown into the sea /; and he
threw his large spear against its side with
great force. 1t gave forth hollow sound.
He tried to persuade the Trcjans that the
horse was snare of the Greeks. While
they were talking, some shepherds drag
ged to Priam (King of Troy young
Grecian who had remained behind to try
the hazardous game Of inducing the Tro-
jams to take the horse into the city. The
young men rushed upon him to take his
life, but be told such pftiful story of his
misfortunes, that his life was spared. His
story concerning himself was very plau-
sibls one. At length King Priam asked
him for what the horse was made. He
said, that the Greeks had always depended
upon the goddess Minerva for aid, but
that the wicked Fydides and Ulysses had
dragged statue from their temple, seiz-
ing it with their bloody hands. From
that time she was their enemy. Scarcely
had they originally set her statue in the
camp. when, miraJile dictu, fires flashed
from its eyes, and it jumped along the
ground apparently in great anger. Their
continued reverses proved that the goddess
must be conciliated by bringing back the
Palladium which they had taken away.
Before they departed, they were warned
to build this horse in place Of the image,
and to make it SO large that it would be
impossible to get within the gates of the
city. The prophet told the Greeks, that
if the Trojans should violate the gift o.
Minerva, great destruction would befal
them, but if they succeeded in getting i
into the city, the fate of the Greeks woult
be sealed. The story Of Simon was be-
lieved, and the Trojans, never overcom,
by force Of arms, were completely over
come by this mans tears and :alsehoods
A circumstance occurred which NOR,
fully fixed in the minds Of the Trojans th
story Of Simon. LAGOON (the one wh,
threw his spear against the horse) was Of
the shore sacrificing an animal to Neptune
when suddenly two large sea-serpent
were seen to come over tho calm waters
with glaring eyes and quiyering tongues
They came to tho altar and seized upol
Laocoon's two sons and twined themselvs
around their limbs. All fed from th
awful sight except their father, wno rush
ed to their aid. The serpents caught bin
also and wrapped him in their glass
folds. He cried ont in great agony. 70
they were darting their poisonous fang
into his flesh and mashing him tea jell
in their folds. The serpents then mad
their escape. and took refuge at the shrin
of Minerva. This the Trojans understeo
to be an omen that the horse was sacred
and that Laocoon had offended Minerv
for daring to strike it With his spear
The Trojans were ia doubt no longer, an
Immediately broke down the walls Of th
city, and determined to take the horse il
1t vas mounted on wheels and By SON
pushing and others pulling. boys n
maidens joyously helping. Il wss carrie
into the city. By the time they had II
horse safe t Vas late Il night. 20 aitsr
little csrousing. al retired = rest. a
soon - al vas quiet, ths Creeks vi
we're hid behind The Island returned
The main land. Simon. Who had biz III
srty u the city, unflstspsd ) secret dos
u ihs horse and III out thoeo eophp&
Wilbiu. spd they ioms1iatoly opeood "A
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