Horse of Wood, and how Ulysses contrived that it should be taken
up into the citadel of Troy when he had filled it with the bravest
of the chiefs. Sing me this aright, and I will bear witness for
thee that thou art indeed a minstrel whom the gods have taught."

Then did the minstrel sing this song. He told how one part of the
Greeks set fire to their camp, and embarked upon their ships, and
sailed away; and how the other part--Ulysses and his comrades--sat
hidden in the Horse which the men of Troy had dragged with their
own hands into their place of assembly. All about sat the people,
and three counsels were given. The first was to cleave the wood,
and the second to drag it to the brow of the hill and cast it down
thence, and the third to leave it as an offering to the gods; and
the third counsel prevailed, for it was the doom of the city that
it should perish through the Horse.

Also the minstrel sang how the chiefs came forth from the Horse,
and went through the city, wasting it; and much also of Ulysses
and his brave deeds.

Thus did the minstrel sing, and the heart of Ulysses was melted
within him as he listened, and the tears ran down his cheeks.

But none of the company, save King Alcinous only, noticed this.
Then the King spake, saying: "Hearken, ye princes of the
Phaeacians, and let Demodocus cease from his singing, for since he
set his hand to the harp, this stranger hath not ceased to weep.
Let, therefore, the minstrel cease, and let us make merry and
rejoice as it is fitting to do. Are we not met together that we
may give gifts to this stranger, and send him to his home? And