Iliad by Homer - Join iZDOT

Homer’s Iliad
know that the Erinyes always range themselves on the side of the
older person.”
Neptune answered, “Goddess Iris, your words have been spoken
in season. It is well when a messenger shows so much discretion.
Nevertheless it cuts me to the very heart that any one should
rebuke so angrily another who is his own peer, and of like empire
with himself. Now, however, I will give way in spite of my
displeasure; furthermore let me tell you, and I mean what I say- if
contrary to the desire of myself, Minerva driver of the spoil, Juno,
Mercury, and King Vulcan, Jove spares steep Ilius, and will not let
the Achaeans have the great triumph of sacking it, let him
understand that he will incur our implacable resentment.”
Neptune now left the field to go down under the sea, and sorely
did the Achaeans miss him. Then Jove said to Apollo, “Go, dear
Phoebus, to Hector, for Neptune who holds the earth in his
embrace has now gone down under the sea to avoid the severity of
my displeasure. Had he not done so those gods who are below
with Saturn would have come to hear of the fight between us. It is
better for both of us that he should have curbed his anger and kept
out of my reach, for I should have had much trouble with him.
Take, then, your tasselled aegis, and shake it furiously, so as to set
the Achaean heroes in a panic; take, moreover, brave Hector, O Far-
Darter, into your own care, and rouse him to deeds of daring, till
the Achaeans are sent flying back to their ships and to the
Hellespont. From that point I will think it well over, how the
Achaeans may have a respite from their troubles.”
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