Iliad by Homer - Join iZDOT

Homer’s Iliad
even so did she wing her way till she came close up to the great
shaker of the earth. Then she said, “I have come, O dark-haired
king that holds the world in his embrace, to bring you a message
from Jove. He bids you leave off fighting, and either join the
company of the gods or go down into the sea; if, however, you take
no heed and disobey him, he says he will come down here and
fight you. He would have you keep out of his reach, for he is older
and much stronger than you are, and yet you are not afraid to set
yourself up as on a level with himself, of whom all the other gods
stand in awe.”
Neptune was very angry and said, “Great heavens! strong as Jove
may be, he has said more than he can do if he has threatened
violence against me, who am of like honour with himself. We were
three brothers whom Rhea bore to Saturn- Jove, myself, and Hades
who rules the world below. Heaven and earth were divided into
three parts, and each of us was to have an equal share. When we
cast lots, it fell to me to have my dwelling in the sea for evermore;
Hades took the darkness of the realms under the earth, while air
and sky and clouds were the portion that fell to Jove; but earth and
great Olympus are the common property of all. Therefore I will not
walk as Jove would have me. For all his strength, let him keep to
his own third share and be contented without threatening to lay
hands upon me as though I were nobody. Let him keep his
bragging talk for his own sons and daughters, who must perforce
obey him.
Iris fleet as the wind then answered, “Am I really, Neptune, to take
this daring and unyielding message to Jove, or will you reconsider
your answer? Sensible people are open to argument, and you
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