But Capys, and they whose minds were wiser in counsel, bid us either hurl headlong into the sea this guile of the Greeks, this distrusted gift, or fire it with flames heaped beneath; or else pierce and probe the hollow hiding-place of the womb.

The wavering crowd is torn into opposing factions. Then, foremost of all and with a great throng following, Laocoön in hot haste runs down from the citadel’s height, and cries from afar: “Oh, wretched citizens, what wild frenzy is this? Do ye believe the foe has sailed away? or think ye any gifts of the Greeks are free from treachery? Is it thus ye know Ulysses?* Either enclosed in this frame there lurk Achaeans,* or this has been built as an engine of war against our walls, to spy into our homes and come down upon the city from above; or some trickery lurks therein. Trust not the horse, ye Trojans. Whatever it be, I fear the Greeks, even when bringing gifts.”*

So saying, with mighty force he hurled his great spear at the beast’s side and the arched frame of the belly. The spear stood quivering and with the womb’s reverberation the vaults rang hollow, sending forth a moan. And had the gods’ decrees, had our mind not been perverse, he had driven us to befoul with steel the Argive den,* and Troy would now be standing, and thou, lofty citadel of Priam,* wouldst still abide!