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_:

Oh, dreadful punishment, but well deserved, For with his impious spear he smote the oak, The sacred wood to Pallas consecrate.

_Another voice_:

Now haste we and within our city lead This horse portentous, and with humble prayer Minerva’s aid and pardoning favor seek.

They hastily enlarge the gate, attach ropes to the horse, and put rollers under its feet, many willing hands lay hold of the ropes and pull the horse along. Boys and girls dance and sing around the workers. The horse sticks at the threshold of the gate, and Cassandra, who has been looking on as one entranced, cries out forebodingly.

_Cassandra_:

O fatherland! O Ilium, home of gods! Ye walls of Troy, in war illustrious! See there, upon the threshold of the gate, The monster halts—again—and yet again! And from its rumbling hold I hear the sound Of clashing arms! O Troy! O fatherland!

But the people, not heeding her, press on and disappear within the city walls with the wooden horse, on the way to the citadel. Everywhere are heard sounds of delirious joy.