Laodami'a

Laodami'a, in Greek heroic history, the daughter of Acastus and wife of Protesilaus. Her husband was the first of all the Greeks who fell by a Trojan hand, being killed as he leaped on shore from his ship. Laodamia prayed of the gods to give him back to her for but three hours. Her prayer was granted; Hermes led him back to the upper world; and, when the fatal moment to return had come, Laodamia died with him. This noble story has been treated by Wordsworth in verse worthy of the theme.