LITMIR.BIZ

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Rose from the hills, all fresh arose, and to the camp retir'd.

       Apollo with a fore-right wind their swelling bark inspir'd.

       The top-mast hoisted, milk-white sails on his round breast they

       put,

       The mizens strooted with the gale, the ship her course did cut

       So swiftly that the parted waves against her ribs did roar;

       Which, coming to the camp, they drew aloft the sandy shore,

       Where, laid on stocks, each soldier kept his quarter as before.

       But Peleus' son, swift-foot Achilles, at his swift ships sate,

       Burning in wrath, nor ever came to councils of estate

       That make men honour'd, never trod the fierce embattled field,

       But kept close, and his lov'd heart pin'd, what fight and cries

       could yield

       Thirsting at all parts to the host, And now, since first he told

       His wrongs to Thetis, twelve fair morns their ensigns did unfold,

       And then the ever-living gods mounted Olympus, Jove

       First in ascension. Thetis then, remember'd well to move

       Achilles' motion, rose from sea, and, by the morn's first light,

       The great heav'n and Olympus climb'd; where, in supremest height

       Of all that many-headed hill, she saw the far-seen son

       Of Saturn, set from all the rest, in his free seat alone.

       Before whom, on her own knees fall'n, the knees of Jupiter

       Her left hand held, her right his chin, and thus she did prefer

       Her son's petition: "Father Jove! If ever I have stood

       Aidful to thee in word or work, with this imploréd good,

       Requite my aid, renown my son, since in so short a race

       (Past others) thou confin'st his life. An insolent disgrace

       Is done him by the king of men; he forc'd from him a prise

       Won with his sword. But thou, O Jove, that art most strong, most

       wise,

       Honour my son for my sake; add strength to the Trojans' side

       By his side's weakness in his want; and see Troy amplified

       In conquest, so much, and so long, till Greece may give again

       The glory reft him, and the more illustrate the free reign

       Of his wrong'd honour." Jove at this sate silent; not a word

       In long space pass'd him. Thetis still hung on his knee, implor'd

       The second time his help, and said: "Grant, or deny my suit,

       Be free in what thou dost; I know, thou canst not sit thus mute

       For fear of any; speak, deny, that so I may be sure,

       Of all heav'n's Goddesses 'tis I, that only must endure

       Dishonour by thee." Jupiter, the great cloud-gath'rer, griev'd

       With thought of what a world of griefs this suit ask'd, being

       achiev'd,

       Swell'd, sigh'd, and answer'd: "Works of death thou urgest. O, at

       this

       Juno will storm, and all my pow'rs inflame with contumelies.

       Ever she wrangles, charging me in ear of all the Gods

       That I am partial still, that I add the displeasing odds

       Of my aid to the Ilians. Begone then, lest she see;

       Leave thy request to my care; yet, that trust may hearten thee

       With thy desire's grant, and my pow'r to give it act approve

       How vain her strife is, to thy pray'r my eminent head shall move;

       Which is the great sign of my will with all th' immortal states;

       Irrevocable; never fails; never without the rates

       Of all pow'rs else; when my head bows, all heads bow with it still

       As their first mover; and gives pow'r to any work I will."

       He said; and his black eyebrows bent; above his deathless head

       Th' ambrosian curls flow'd; great heav'n shook: and both were

       severéd,

       Their counsels broken. To the depth of Neptune's kingdom div'd

       Thetis from heav'n's height; Jove arose; and all the Gods receiv'd

       (All rising from their thrones) their Sire, attending to his court.

       None sate when he rose, none delay'd the furnishing his port

       Till he came near; all met with him, and brought him to his throne.

       Nor sate great Juno ignorant, when she beheld alone

       Old Nereus' silver-footed seed with Jove, that she had brought

       Counsels to heav'n; and straight her tongue had teeth in it, that

       wrought

       This sharp invective: "Who was that (thou craftiest counsellor

       Of all the Gods) that so apart some secret did implore?

       Ever, apart from me, thou lov'st to counsel and decree

       Things of more close trust than thou think'st are fit t' impart to

       me.

       Whatever thou determin'st, I must ever be denied

       The knowledge of it by thy will." To her speech thus replied

       The Father both of men and Gods: "Have never hope to know

       My whole intentions, though my wife; it fits not, nor would show

       Well to thine own thoughts; but what fits thy woman's ear to hear,

       Woman, nor man, nor God, shall know before it grace thine ear.

       Yet what, apart from men and Gods, I please to know, forbear

       T' examine, or inquire of that." She with the cow's fair eyes,

       Respected Juno, this return'd: "Austere king of the skies,

       What hast thou utter'd? When did I before this time inquire,

       Or sift thy counsels? Passing close you are still. Your desire

       Is serv'd with such care, that I fear you can scarce vouch the deed

       That makes it public, being seduc'd by this old sea-god's seed,

       That could so early use her knees, embracing thine. I doubt,

       The late act of thy bowéd head was for the working out

       Of some boon she ask'd; that her son thy partial hand would please

       With plaguing others." "Wretch!" said he, "thy subtle jealousies

       Are still exploring; my designs can never 'scape thine eye,

       Which yet thou never canst prevent. Thy curiosity

       Makes thee less car'd for at my hands, and horrible the end

       Shall make thy humour. If it be what thy suspects intend,

       What then? 'Tis my free will it should; to which let way be giv'n

       With silence. Curb your tongue in time; lest all the Gods in heav'n

       Too few be and too weak to help thy punish'd insolence,

       When my inaccessible hands shall fall on thee." The sense

       Of this high threat'ning made her fear, and silent she sate down,

       Humbling her great heart. All the Gods in court of Jove did frown

      

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