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CASSANDRA

Volume 4 · 137 words · 1797 Edition

fabulous history, the daughter of Priam and Hecuba, was beloved of Apollo, who promised to bestow on her the spirit of prophecy, provided she would consent to his love. Cassandra seemed to accept the proposal; but had no sooner obtained that gift, than she laughed at the tempter, and broke her word. Apollo, being enraged, revenged himself by causing no credit be given to her predictions; hence she in vain prophesied the ruin of Troy. Ajax, the son of Oileus, having ravished her in the temple of Minerva, he was struck with thunder. She fell into the hands of Agamemnon, who loved her to distraction; but in vain did she predict that he would be afflamed in his own country. He was killed, with her, by the intrigues of Clytemnestra; but their death was avenged by Orestes.