the archer-god Apollo, who has now no power to save The chief from death. But, guiltless as he is, Why should he suffer evil for the wrong Of others? He has always sought to please With welcome offerings the gods who dwell In the broad heaven. Let us withdraw him, then, From this great peril, lest, if he should fall Before Achilles, haply Saturn’s son May be displeased. And ’tis the will of fate That he escape; that so the Dardan race, Beloved by Jove above all others sprung From him and mortal women, may not yet Perish from earth and leave no progeny. For Saturn’s son already holds the house Of Priam in disfavor, and will make Aeneas ruler o’er the men of Troy, And his sons’ sons shall rule them after him.”
Imperial Juno with large eyes replied: “Determine, Neptune, for thyself, and save Aeneas, or, all blameless as he is, Abandon him to perish by the hand Of Peleus’ son, Achilles. We have sworn— Minerva and myself—that never we Would aid in aught the Trojans to escape Their day of ruin, though the town of Troy Sink to the dust in the destroying flames— Flames kindled by the warlike