sea Together, and I then would bind the chain Around the summit of the Olympian mount, And they should hang aloft. So far my power Surpasses all the power of gods and men.”
He spake; and all the great assembly, hushed In silence, wondered at his threatening words, Until at length the blue-eyed Pallas said:—
“Our Father, son of Saturn, mightiest as Among the potentates, we know thy power Is not to be withstood, yet are we moved With pity for the warlike Greeks, who bear An evil fate and waste away in war. If such be thy command, we shall refrain From mingling in the combat, yet will aid The Greeks with counsel which may be their guide, Lest by thy wrath they perish utterly.”
The Cloud-compeller Jove replied, and smiled:— “Tritonia, daughter dear, be comforted. I spake not in the anger of my heart, And I have naught but kind intents for thee.”
He spake, and to his chariot yoked the steeds, Fleet, brazen-footed, and with flowing manes Of gold, and put his golden armor on, And took the golden scourge, divinely wrought, And, mounting, touched the coursers with the lash To urge them onward. Not unwillingly Flew they between the earth and starry heaven, Until he came to Ida, moist with springs And nurse of savage beasts, and to the height Of Gargarus, where lay his sacred field, And where his fragrant altar fumed. He checked Their course, and there the Father of the gods And men released them from the yoke and caused A cloud to gather round them. Then he sat, Exulting in the fullness of his might, Upon the summit, whence his eye beheld The towers of Ilium and the ships of Greece.
Now in their tents the long-haired Greeks had shared A hasty meal, and girded on their arms. The Trojans, also, in their city armed Themselves for war, as eager for the fight, Though fewer; for a hard necessity Forced them to combat for their little ones And wives. They set the city-portals