To quiet Sparta, nestled in her hills,

Locked inland from the voices of the sea;

And far across the porticos I hear

The ivory shuttle singing in the loom

'Midst maidens' chatter, as in olden days;

And men still murmur as they pass me by:

"Lo, look on her, the wonder of the world,

Beauteous Helen, Lacedæmon's Queen!"

I watch them gaze intently on my face