But if within your walls this sacred horse
Should by your voluntary hands be set,
Then would all Asia rise with one accord,
And sweep in mighty war against the Greeks,
And that dire doom upon our grandsons fall.
Scene 3
The Trojans are entirely satisfied with this explanation and treat Sinon with respectful consideration. At this juncture, two huge serpents come up out of the sea, and, while the people flee shrieking away on all sides, they make their way to Laocoön where he stands sacrificing at the altar, and enfold him and his two sons in their deadly coils (195-227).
Scene 4
Great excitement follows. People say that Laocoön has perished justly, since he impiously violated the sacred horse, and loudly demand that the creature be taken within the walls (228-249):
A voice from the crowd: