The Trojans became wise too late; they only came to their senses, when their city was on the eve of being taken. Exhausted by a war of ten years, they then began to consult about restoring Helen, on whose account the contest had been undertaken. The adage is applied to persons, who do dot see the advantage of any measure or precaution until it is too late to adopt it, and is similar to, "when the steed is stolen, we shut the stable door," and to the following of the Italians, and the French, "Serrar la stalla quando s'han perduti i buovi." "Il est tems de fermer l'étable quand les chevaux en sont allé."