Ballad Of The Fall Of Troy Poem by Glen Martin Fitch

I learned this ballad in my youth.
Perhaps the tale will bring you joy.
Our elders tell our people of
The Fall of Troy.

Great Hector was a Trojan prince.
'Twixt Greece and Troy there grew great strife
When Paris charmed a Grecian King
And stole his wife.

Then Menelaus summoned Greece.
He planned and boasted o'er his wine.
'I vow I will reclaim my wife.
Fair Helen's mine! '

Achilles came to conquer Troy.
So great his fame all Trojans fled.
But Hector fought until he thought
Achilles dead.

Alas, when Hector stripped his arms
Achilles' friend instead he spied.
'What trick of god or man is this? '
Sad Hector cried. 

Achilles slept within his tent.
When he awoke his wrath grew sore!
Patroclos dead!  His armor now
Fierce Hector wore!

Though Hector kept the Greeks at bay
He went back into Troy and bade
His mother, 'Hurry, ask the gods
To send us aid! '

Andromeda, his wife, grew faint
And Hector laughed at her alarm.
She didn't recognize him in
Achilles' arms!

'Your father and your son will die
If you die, Hector. Who will save
Your mother and your wife when we
Are sold as slaves? '


Said Hector, 'No! I can't remain.
We live and die within fate's plan.
Pray may you never have to love
Another man.'

As Hector kissed his wife and babe
The Trojans fled inside Troy's gate.
But he went out on to the plain
To meet his fate.

Andromeda sat at her loom.
But how she shivered when she spied
Bold Paris holding Helen close,
The fickle bride.

Before Athena's sacrifice
Dame Hecuba fell on her knees.
'Oh Goddess,  pity Illiam!
Have mercy, please! '

And Priam cried, 'My son, my son!
Your strength and deeds have won you fame.
If you withdraw behind the gate
You'll know no blame.'

Upon her loom Andromeda
Worked woof and warp to bright array.
'He must be past the gates, ' she thought.
'Well on his way.'

Achilles newly clad ran swift.
So brightly flashed the shield he bore.
He spied his former helm and arms
Which Hector wore.

Andromeda called for his robes.
For Hector's bath a fire burned.
'The loot, ' she said. 'They'll soon divide
Then he'll return.'

Great Hector stood before Troy's walls.
Though brave his heart became forlorn.
Once more he had to fight the man
Of goddess born.

Within her grasp the shuttle paused.
'By now he must be turning round.'
Her 'little Hector' by her slept
Without a sound.

Achilles lifted up his helm.
When Hector saw his wrathful eyes
He knew the luck of Troy had passed
And he would die.

Achilles' spear pierced Hector's throat.
Each Trojan heart felt sadness swell.
Andromeda her baby seized.
The shuttle fell.