King Priam and the Trojans believed this story too, and a terrible thing
which just then happened made them believe it all the more. After
Laocoon had hurled his spear at the wooden horse, he and his two sons
went to offer sacrifice to the gods at an altar erected on the beach.
While they were thus engaged, two enormous serpents, darting out from
the sea, glided up to the altar, seized the priest and his sons, and
crushed all three to death in their tremendous coils.
First around the tender boys they wind,
Then with their sharpened fangs their limbs and bodies grind.
The wretched father, running to their aid
With pious haste, but vain, they next invade:
Twice round his waist their winding volumes rolled;
And twice about his gasping throat they fold.
The priest thus doubly choked--their crests divide,
And towering o'er his head in triumph ride.