Well, we easily put the other victims on the ship, for they were light;
[1555]
but the bull did not want to go forward along the plank, but kept bellowing loudly, rolling his eyes around; and, arching his back and peering along his horns, he prevented us from touching him. But Helen's husband
[1560]
called out: “O you who sacked the town of
Ilion, come pick up this bull on young shoulders, as is the way in
Hellas, and cast him into the prow . . . the sacrifice to the dead man.”
[1565]
Then they came at his summons, and caught up the bull and carried him on to the deck. And Menelaos stroked the horse on neck and brow, coaxing it to go aboard.
Finally, when the ship was fully loaded,
[1570]
Helen climbed up the ladder with elegant step, and took her seat in the middle of the rowers' benches, and he was near by, Menelaos who was called dead. The rest, equally divided on the right and left sides of the ship, sat down, each beside his man, with swords concealed beneath their cloaks,
[1575]
and the waves were filled with shouting as we heard the voice of the boatswain.
