near him that begot her, spake thus:  “O father, I am here for thee, and I willing give my body on behalf of my country, and of the whole land of Greece, that, leading it to the altar of the Goddess, they may sacrifice it, since this is ordained.  And, as far as I am concerned, may ye be fortunate, and obtain the gift of victory, and reach your native land.  Furthermore, let no one of the Greeks lay hands on me, for with a stout heart I will present my neck in silence.”  Thus much she spoke, and every one marveled on hearing the courage and valor of the virgin.  But Talthybius, whose office this was, standing in the midst, proclaimed good-omened silence to the people.  And the seer Calchas placed in a golden canister a sharp knife,[104] which he had drawn out,+ within its case,+ and crowned the head of the girl.  But the son of Peleus ran around the altar of the Goddess, taking the canister and lustral waters at the same time.  And he said:  “O Diana, beast-slaying daughter of Jove, that revolvest thy brilliant light by night, receive this offering which we bestow on thee, [we] the army of the Greeks, and king Agamemnon, the pure blood from a fair virgin’s neck; and grant that the sail may be without injury to our ships, and that we may take the towers of Troy by the spear.”  But the Atrides and all the army stood looking on the ground, and the priest, taking the knife, prayed, and viewed her neck, that he might find a place to strike.  And no little pity entered my mind, and I stood with eyes cast down, but suddenly there was a marvel to behold.  For every one could clearly perceive the sound of the blow, but beheld not the virgin, where on earth she had vanished.  But the priest exclaimed, and the whole army shouted, beholding an unexpected prodigy from some one of the Gods, of which, though seen, they had scarcely belief.  For a stag lay panting on the ground, of mighty size to see and beautiful in appearance, with whose blood the altar of the Goddess was abundantly wetted.  And upon this Calchas (think with what joy!) thus spake:  “O leaders of this common host of the Greeks, behold this victim which the Goddess hath brought to her altar, a mountain-roaming stag.  This she prefers greatly to the virgin, lest her altar should be denied with generous blood.  And she hath willingly received this, and grants us a prosperous sail, and attack upon Troy.  Upon this do every sailor take good courage, and go to his ships, since on this day it behooves us, quitting the hollow recesses of Aulis, to pass over the AEgean wave.”  But when the whole victim was reduced to ashes, he prayed what was meet, that the army might obtain a passage.  And Agamemnon sends me to tell thee this, and to say what a fortune he hath met with from the Gods, and hath obtained unwaning glory through Greece.  But I speak, having been present, and witnessing the matter.  Thy child has evidently flown to the Gods; away then with grief, and cease wrath against your husband.  But the will of the Gods is unforeseen by mortals, and them they love, they save.  For this day hath beheld thy daughter dying and living [in turn.]