The Fifth Battle at the Ships
The anger of Jupiter on awaking appeased by Juno’s denial that she had instigated Neptune to aid the Greeks—Iris despatched to recall Neptune from the field—Mars, enraged at the death of his son Ascalaphus and arming to aid the Trojans, is restrained by Minerva—Hector healed by Apollo—His return to the field—The Greeks driven back to the ships by the Trojans, who attempt to set the fleet on fire—Defence of the ships by Ajax.
Now when the Trojans in their flight had crossed Rampart and trench, and many had been slain By the pursuing Greeks, they made a halt Beside their chariots, in despair and pale With terror. Meanwhile Jupiter awoke, On Ida’s height, from slumber by the side Of Juno, goddess of the golden throne. At once he rose and saw the Trojan host Routed, and, following close upon their flight, The Argive warriors putting them to rout, Aided by Neptune, sovereign of the sea, And Hector lying on the field among His fellow-warriors, breathing painfully, Vomiting blood, and senseless, for the arm That smote was not the feeblest of the Greeks. The Father of immortals and of men Beheld and pitied him, and terribly Frowned upon Juno, and bespake her thus:—
“O evil minded Juno, full of guile! Thy arts have made the noble Hector leave The combat, and have forced his troops to flee. I know not whether’t were not well that thou Shouldst taste the fruit of thy pernicious wiles, Chastised by me with stripes. Dost thou forget When thou didst swing suspended, and I tied Two anvils to thy feet, and bound a chain Of gold that none could break around thy wrists? Then didst thou hang in air amid the clouds, And all the gods of high Olympus saw