Artist's Interpretation:

Homer, the blind poet, lent his eye to the Spartan King who melted his broken heart into a lake of tears distilled through a consenting Venus.

On this tearful suffering surface sailed Paris with his Helen towards his tragic destiny. The menacing shadow of the Greek fortress (on the right) and the towering prophetic Cassandra (in left rock column) could not perturb the tranquillity of the crossing nor the expectations of the two lovers. If Paris, knowing his fate, would be asked once again to choose between achieving glory on the battlefield (Juno's promise), ruling vast and rich kingdoms (Minerva's promise) and conquering the heart of the fairest woman in all the world (Venus' promise), he would choose Helen for it is in love that man achieves his human dimension and in grief his own redemption.

Joseph Cusimano

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Additional Information:

• See glossary: boat/sailing ship, eye, and water.
• Color reproduction appears in Passage to Canada, page 167, image #29.