meant, or what should be done with it. Various opinions were given.
Some thought it was a peace offering, and one chief proposed that it
should be dragged within the walls and placed in the citadel. Others
advised that it should be cast into the sea, or set on fire, or at
least that they ought to burst it open to find whether anything were
concealed within. While they were thus discussing the matter, some
urging one course, some another, the priest La-oc'o-on rushed out from
the city followed by a great crowd and he exclaimed in a loud voice:
"Unhappy fellow-countrymen, what madness is this? Are you so foolish
as to suppose that the enemy are gone, or that any offering of theirs
can be free from deception? Either Greeks are hidden in this horse, or
it is an engine designed for some evil to our city. Put no faith in
it, Trojans. Whatever it is, I fear the Greeks even when they tender
gifts." Thus speaking, Laocoon hurled his spear into the horse's side.

His mighty spear he cast:
Quivering it stood: the sharp rebound
Shook the huge monster: and a sound
Through all its caverns passed.
CONINGTON, _AEneid_, BOOK II.

But at this point the attention of the multitude was attracted by the
appearance of a group of Trojan shepherds dragging along a prisoner
with his hands bound behind his back, who, they said, had delivered
himself up to them of his own accord. Being taken before King Priam,
and questioned as to who he was and whence he came, the stranger told
an artful story. He was a Greek, he said, and his name was Si'non. His
countrymen had long been weary of the war, and had often resolved to
return home, but were hindered by storms from making the attempt. And
when the wooden horse was built, the tempests raged and the thunder