The Death of Laocoon ... and Troy

Here another great fear (O miserable tale!) terrfies our blind spirit. Laocoon, made a priest of Neptune by fortune, was sacrificing a fierce bull on an alter on a shore. Then mighty twin serpents, pressing from the ocean, came to the shore. They held the shore, having eyes blazed with fire, and had mouths licking with hissing tongues. We all fled; the snakes aimed at Laocon and the sons. First, they caught the little bodies of those two boys and mangled, slaughtered, and ate them. Then they snatched the stoic father, who ran to the poor sons, and was held and also overcame with their great coils. He could not protect himself from injury nor flee, and he raised terrifying screams to heaven just as the wounded bull to the alter. At this time the serpents fled, and sought shelter in the field of wise Minerva. We had thought he had erred and paid his debt, because Laocoon had thrown a spear inito Minerva's horse, but we have been ignorant of the harsh truth. Opening these gates to bring the horse to the city; and boys and girls --- O fatherland, O great gods, O Troy --- they rejoice to touch it. We rejoice miserable ourselves, too, for that day was the final and there also was no relief.