THE " ALEXANDREIS

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21

befell — That when he was riding far away in the woods — He went astray from the other hunters — And his horse was very weary — He rode away from the path to a lonely spot — Where a fine beech-tree stood in a thicket. — Throwing his horse's bridle up to one of the branches — He fell asleep under the tree — It then befell him in this hour —^That in his dream he saw three goddesses — The one who rules love — The other who rules over wisdom — And all warlike knowledge —The third who rules over ( = disposes of) riches — And they had a golden apple — Which each of them desired — For on it was written : —

To her who is the most beautiful, this shall be given.' — They chose him as judge between them — Saying : ' We give you this power — That we may dispute no longer about this — Give this apple to whichever one thou wilt — And over whatever thing each of us has power — In that will she aid you.' — Then at that moment the prince — Began to take counsel with himself — Saying : 'What is not due to me — According to my right as a prince ?— I have already too great riches — Also warlike spirit have I sufficient — And sense as great as others — Why then should I require greater wisdom ?— My fortune also is favorable to me — But I should wish to possess a fair woman.' — Saying this he awards the apple — To her who rules over love." The author ends his digression with these reflections : " Oh, erring heart of man — Oh, restless designs ! — For the sake of one fair woman — For indeed her beauty was great —The whole world was in arms — For ten years it strove in war — Till in the eleventh year ! — How can we " remember all the ills that then befell Troy ! It is natural that in a work such as the Alexandreis, dealing principally with the events of war, and written