vengeance you should have taken long ago. It is just

what would please the Ithacan, and earn a large reward

from the sons of Atreus!’[126]

“This makes us burn, indeed, to explore and inquire into 15

the reason of his tale, not knowing that crime could be so

monstrous, and Pelasgian art so cunning. He resumes, in

faltering tones, spoken from his false heart:—

“‘Often have the Danaans designed to turn their back

on Troy and accomplish a retreat, and abandon the war 20

that had wearied them so long; and would they had done