My heart is trembling for the stranger.

Let him woo some Achaean girl fair away among his own folk; let maidenhood be mine and the home of my parents.

Yet, taking to myself a reckless heart, I will no more keep aloof but will make trial of my sister to see if she will entreat me to aid in the contest, through grief for her own sons; this would quench the bitter pain in my heart." She spake, and rising from her bed opened the door of her chamber, bare-footed, clad in one robe; and verily she desired to go to her sister, and crossed the threshold.

And for long she stayed there at the entrance of her chamber, held back by shame; and she turned back once more; and again she came forth from within, and again stole back; and idly did her feet bear her this way and that; yea, as oft as she went straight on, shame held her within the chamber, and though held back by shame, bold desire kept urging her on.

Thrice she made the attempt and thrice she checked herself, the fourth time she fell on her bed face downward writhing in pain.