The poetical histories being a compleat collection of all the stories necessary for a perfect understanding of the Greek and Latine poets and other ancient authors / written originally in French, by the learned Jesuite, P. Galtruchius ; now Englisht and enricht with observations concerning the gods worshipped by our ancestors in this island, by the Phœnicians, and Syrians in Asia ... ; unto which are added two treatises, one of the curiosities of old Rome, and of the difficult names relating to the affairs of that city, the other containing the most remarkable hieroglyphicks of Ægypt, by Marius d'Assigny ...

CHAP. XIV.

Of Paris.

VVHen Hecuba was with-child of Pa∣ris, called otherwise Alexander, she dream't that she was bringing into the world a Firebrand, that should kindle the flames of

War in the Country, and cause a general de∣struction in it.

For this cause, as soon as he was born, Priam delivered him into the hands of a Soul∣dier, named Arch••laus, that he might cast him away in the Woods to be devoured of the wild beasts, and prevent the mischief that did threaten his Kingdom.

But the Mother seeing a Child so well shapt and beautiful, she was moved with compassion for it; therefore she caused it to be secretly nourished by Shepherds in Mount Ida. This mean Education did not take from him the generous qualities and inclinations which he had borrowed from his Illustrious Birth, for in every occasion he did make a great Courage, Prudence, and Justice, Vir∣tues worthy of a Prince, appear to the world. So that Juno, Pallas, and Venus, agreed to chuse him the sole Arbitrator and Judge of their Concerns, in a difference between them. This was the business, At the Nuptials of Pe∣leus and Thesis, whiles these Goddesses were merry at the Feast, the Goddess of Discord cast into the middle of the Company a Gol∣den Apple, with this Inscription; For the fairest and most Beautiful. Each of these did claim it as their own; and because they could not agree, they resolved to leave it to the judgment of Paris, who was corrupted with the charms of Venus, and with her pro∣mises; for she had engaged to procure unto him the handsomest Lady of the World-Thus

he despised the Riches of Juno, the Wisdom of Pallas, and pronounced his sen∣tence in favour of Venus, therefore he provo∣ked the wrath of these Goddesses against him∣self, and all his Nation.

After this, in a Meeting he declared who he was; for the Nobles and Gentry of the Country being assembled near the City to see the sport of Wrastling, when every one did strive to express his strength and courage, he did also go forth, and laid upon the ground every one who ventured against him. Hector the Son of Priam did try his strength, and was also overcome. But this disgrace so in∣rag'd him against Paris, that he offered to kill him, for he esteemed him no better than a Country Clown. In his anger he had ta∣ken away his life, had not Paris, to prevent him, shewn unto him certain small Jewels which Queen Hecuba his Mother had delive∣red to his Tutor, and thereby declared unto him how he was his Brother.

King Priam that had admired his address and courage in the Combats, was ravisht with joy to understand of the preservation of such an excellent Son; therefore he im∣brac't him, brought him to his Palace, and gave him a unto Train suitable to his quality, for he had forgot how the Oracles had fore∣told, that he was to be the cause of the ruine of the Kingdom and Country.

And because he was full of generosity and valour, he could not rest satisfied with the

enjoyment of the pleasures of the Court: Therefore he caused a Fleet of twenty Ships to be made ready to sail into Greece, and to demand his Aunt Hesione, carried away by Hercules, and married to Telamon: But his design was rather upon Helena, the Sister of Castor and Pollux, mentioned in the fourth Chapter, and who had been given in Marri∣age to Menelaus, King of Sparta, a City in the Peloponnesus. He set sail and landed at Sparta, where Menelaus, perswaded by the intrigues Venus, who had put Paris upon this enter∣prise, received him with all expressions of kindness and civility. And when his affairs did require his presence in Crete, he left him at his Palace in his absence: But the affecti∣on of this King was requited with a most no∣table Treason; for Paris having secretly made friendship with Helena, when he saw such a favourable opportunity, he departed with her into Asia, and carried her to Troy; although Herodotus saith the contrary. But Dares and Dictys, two Writers of that time, who were present at the Siege of Troy, do confirm this Relation.

King Priam was glad of this action, not only because of the hard usage that he had received from the Greeks during his captivity amongst them, and because they had cruelly spoiled this City in the Reign of his Father Laomedon; but also because he did hope by this means to recover out of their hands his Sister Hesione.

* 1.1 It was the custom of the Heathens, when any strange accident did happen, to consult the Ora∣cles, and to enquire from them what to do. When Priam understood his Wives dream, he sent also to take advice from the Oracle, who informed him, that the Child would be the cause of the Countries ruine. To prevent this mischief, he was designed for the slaughter, as soon as he should come into the world; but Providence, and his Mothers compassion, saved him, and sent him to Mount Ida, to the Kings Shepherd, * 1.2where he was brought up as his Son. He proved as valiant as he was handsome, but vice over∣came his generous disposition. He had two sons by Aenone, a Nympb of Mount Ida, Daphnis and Ideas, who were as obscure as their Father was famons. He was at first Renowned for his Justice and civil behaviour; but the pleasures of the Court, and the sudden change of his condition, altered his temper and carriage so, that when Menelaus had received him with all * 1.3expressions of kindness, he rewarded him with ungratitude; he debaucht his Queen, rifled his Palace, plundered the City of Argos, and carried all away Captive, with Helena, and with her two Ladies of Honour, Ethra and Pisadia. The Greeks did revenge this af∣front and unjustice by a most bloody War, in which almo••t all the Children of Priam were kill'd, and Paris also was mortally wounded by Philoctetes, with the venomous Arrows of Hercules, which had been dipt in the blood of the Hydra in a single fight. Oenone his first

Wife laboured to cure him, but all her endea∣vours were in vain. After his death, she had so much love for her unfaithful Husband, as to cast her self in the flames which did consume his Body.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Addit. Not.
• * 1.2

  Nevertheless Ovid saith, Bella gerant a••i tu Pari semper ama.
• * 1.3

  Con miaguida ••aduliero Tro∣jano. Espugno Sparta▪ & Chebbe in suo potere. Gio. Boccac. Ge∣neal. de gli Dei. l. 3.