The Breaking of the Truce, and the First Battle
A council of the gods, who decide that the war shall go on—Minerva sent down to cause the breaking of the truce—Pandarus persuaded by her to aim an arrow at Menelaus, who is wounded by it, and healed by Machaon—Exhortations of Agamemnon addressed to the Greek chiefs—A furious battle, and great slaughter on both sides.
Meantime the immortal gods with Jupiter Upon his golden pavement sat and held A council. Hebe, honored of them all, Ministered nectar, and from cups of gold They pledged each other, looking down on Troy. When, purposely to kindle Juno’s mood To anger, Saturn’s son, with biting words That well betrayed his covert meaning, spake:—
“Two goddesses—the Argive Juno one, The other Pallas, her invincible friend— Take part with Menelaus, yet they sit Aloof, content with looking on, while still Venus, the laughter-loving one, protects Her Paris, ever near him, warding off The stroke of fate. Just now she rescued him When he was near his death. The victory Belongs to Menelaus, loved of Mars. Now let us all consider what shall be The issue—whether we allow the war, With all its waste of life, to be renewed, Or cause the warring nations to sit down In amity. If haply it shall be The pleasure and the will of all the gods, Let Priam’s city keep its dwellers still, And Menelaus lead his Helen home.”
He spake, but Juno and Minerva sat, And with closed lips repined, for secretly They plotted evil for the Trojan race. Minerva held her peace in bitterness Of heart and sore displeased with Father Jove. But Juno could not curb her wrath, and spake:—