“Two goddesses⁠—the Argive Juno one, The other Pallas, her invincible friend⁠— Take part with Menelaus, yet they sit Aloof, content with looking on, while still Venus, the laughter-loving one, protects Her Paris, ever near him, warding off The stroke of fate. Just now she rescued him When he was near his death. The victory Belongs to Menelaus, loved of Mars. Now let us all consider what shall be The issue⁠—whether we allow the war, With all its waste of life, to be renewed, Or cause the warring nations to sit down In amity. If haply it shall be The pleasure and the will of all the gods, Let Priam’s city keep its dwellers still, And Menelaus lead his Helen home.”

He spake, but Juno and Minerva sat, And with closed lips repined, for secretly They plotted evil for the Trojan race. Minerva held her peace in bitterness Of heart and sore displeased with Father Jove. But Juno could not curb her wrath, and spake:⁠—