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ON THE ISLE OF CRANAE
The world an abject vassal to her charms, / And kings competing for a single smile, / Yet love she knew not, till upon this isle / She gave surrender to abducting arms. / Not Theseus, who plucked her lips' first kiss, / Not Menelaus, lawful mate and spouse, / Such answering passion in her heart could rouse, / Or wake such tumult in her soul as this. / Let come what will, let Greece and Asia meet, / Let heroes die and kingdoms run with gore; / Let devastation spread from shore to shore- / Resplendent Helen finds her bondage sweet. / The whole world fights her battles, while she lies / Sunned in the fervour of young Paris' eyes.