away her glorious eyes. Jove’s daughter, Venus, took the hand of Mars, And led him groaning thence, while hardly yet His strength came back. The white-armed Juno saw, And spake to Pallas thus, with wingèd words:—
“See, daughter of the Aegis-bearer, Jove, Unconquerable maid! That shameless one, Through all the tumult, from the thick of fight, Leads hence the murderous Mars; but follow her.”
She spake, and Pallas gladly hastened forth, And, overtaking Venus, dealt at her A mighty buffet on the breast; her heart Fainted, her knees gave way; and, as she lay Prostrate with Mars upon the fruitful earth, Exulting Pallas spake these wingèd words:—
“Would that all those who aid the cause of Troy And combat with the mailèd Greeks were thus! Would that they were as hardy and as brave As Venus here, who ventured to the help Of Mars, and met the force of my right arm! Then had the stately Ilium been o’erthrown Long since, and we had rested from the war.”