University of Virginia Library

The Argument.

Troy had now withstood ten years Seige, and with incomparable valour resisted the Greeks, when at last her Champion Hector being taken, through the Treachery of a Stratagem, she was sack'd, fir'd, and brought to ruine and destruction. The Greeks intending now to depart to their long left homes, were by a contrary wind stayed, when the Ghost of Achilles appearing, commands them not to stir thence, till they had immolated the Princess Polyxena (under the pretext of a marriage) to his Ghost. Chalcas their Prophet being consulted, he gives judgement, that not only the Princely Virgin must dye, but that also Astyanax the Son of Hector, must be flung from the Top of a high Tower in Troy. Which Tragedies being accordingly acted, the Greeks hoist Sails and depart loaden with Captives, Riches, and Glory.