To her outraged divinity. And more—

The prophet bade them form an image huge

Of oaken beams, of such proportions vast

That through no gate of Troy could it be led,

Nor set within the walls, lest thus once more

The people from their ancient deity

Protection find. For if Minerva’s gift

Should by your hands be desecrated, then

Would dreadful doom (Heaven send it on their heads)

Upon old Priam and his Phrygians come;