Laocoon Speaks Out Against the Trojan Horse

Oppressed by long war and by turning away the gods, the Greek leaders, now after ten years, have made a great wooden horse with the skill of Minerva. They filled up the uterum(?) with many soldiers, they left the horse on the coast, and they sailed over the nearby island. Trojans see no troops nor ships; all of the Trojans are glad; they opened the gates. However, the Trojans are doubtful about the horse. Some desire it to be lead into the city, others speak it as a Greek plot. Running from the stronghold, Laocoon, a Trojan priest, said these words: "O miserable citizens, you are not sane! What are you thinking? You don't understand the Greeks and their plots? Either you will find in that horse many harsh soldiers, or the horse is a war machine, made against us, if going to come to the city, going to spy on our houses and people. Or something is hidden. Do not trust on the horse, Trojans: whatever it is, I fear the Greeks and also the carrying gifts!" He leaves, and he throwns a strong spear with his left hand of great power into the uterum(?) of the horse; it stood still, trembling.