Laocoon has been
judged according to his deeds; for he cast his spear against this holy
thing, and now the gods have slain him." Then all cried out together
that the horse of wood must be drawn to the citadel. Whereupon they
opened the Scaean Gate and pulled down the wall that was thereby, and put
rollers under the feet of the horse and joined ropes thereto. So in much
joy they drew it into the city, youths and maidens singing about it the
while and laying their hands to the ropes with great gladness. And yet
there wanted no signs and tokens of evil to come. Four times it halted
on the threshold of the gate, and men might have heard a clashing of
arms within. Cassandra also opened her mouth, prophesying evil; but no
man heeded her, for that was ever the doom upon her, not to be believed,
though speaking truth. So the men of Troy drew the horse into the city.
And that night they kept a feast to all the gods with great joy not
knowing that the last day of the great city had come.

But when night was now fully come and the men of Troy lay asleep, lo!
from the ship of King Agamemnon there rose up a flame for a signal to
the Greeks; and these straightway manned their ships and made across the
sea from Tenedos, there being a great calm and the moon also giving them
light. Sinon likewise opened a secret door that was in the great horse
and the chiefs issued forth therefrom and opened the gates of the city,
slaying those that kept watch.

Meanwhile there came a vision to AEneas, who now, Hector being dead, was
the chief hope and stay of the men of Troy. It was Hector's self that he
seemed to see, but not such as he had seen him coming back rejoicing
with the arms of Achilles or setting fire to the ships, but even as he
lay after that Achilles dragged him at his chariot wheels, covered with
dust, and blood, his feet swollen and pierced through with thongs. To
him said. AEneas, not knowing what he said, "Why hast thou tarried so
long? Much have we suffered waiting for thee! And what grief hath marked
thy face, and whence these wounds?"

But to this the spirit answered nothing, but said, groaning the while,
"Fly, son of Venus, fly and save thee from these flames. The enemy is in
the walls and Troy hath utterly perished. If any hand could have saved
our city, this hand had done so. Thou art now the hope of Troy. Take
then her gods and flee with them for company, seeking the city that thou
shalt one day build across the sea."

A