With pity. They stood near, but none of them Were able to release thee. Whoso came Within my reach I seized, and hurled him o’er Heaven’s threshold, and he fell upon the earth Scarce breathing. Yet the passion of my wrath, Caused by the wrongs of godlike Hercules, Was not to be so calmed; for craftily Hadst thou called up the violent northern blast, To chase him far across the barren deep, And drive him from his course to populous Cos. I rescued him at length, and brought him back To Argos famed for steeds, though after long And many hardships. I remind thee now Of this, that thou mayst see of what avail Hereafter thy dissembled love and all Thy cunning strategies will be to thee.”
He spake, and Juno, large-eyed and august, Shuddered, and answered Jove with wingèd words:—
“Be witness, Earth, and the great Heavens above, And waters of the Styx that glide beneath— That dreadful oath which most the blessed gods Revere—be witness, too, that sacred head Of thine, and our own nuptial couch, by which I would not rashly swear at any time, That not by my persuasion Neptune went— The shaker of the shores—to harass Troy And Hector, and to aid the cause of Greece. He went self-counselled; he had seen the Greeks Pressed grievously beside their fleet, and took Compassion on them. Yet would I advise That he obey thy word, and take his place Where thou, the Cloud compeller, bid’st him go.”
She ended, and the Father of the gods And mortals smiled, and said, in wingèd words:—
“Large-eyed, imperial Juno, wouldst thou sit In council with the immortals, and assist My purposes, then Neptune, though at heart He were averse, would yet conform his will To mine and thine. If thou dost truly speak, And from thy heart, go now to where the gods Assemble, summon Iris, and with her The archer-god Apollo. Give in charge To Iris that she hasten to the host Of the mailed Greeks, and bid king Neptune