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At once the loathsome pestilence away!

      So Chryses prayed, whom Phœbus heard well-pleased;

       Then prayed the Grecians also, and with meal

       Sprinkling the victims, their retracted necks

       First pierced, then flay'd them; the disjointed thighs565

       They, next, invested with the double caul,

       Which with crude slices thin they overspread.

       The priest burned incense, and libation poured

       Large on the hissing brands, while, him beside,

       Busy with spit and prong, stood many a youth570

       Trained to the task. The thighs with fire consumed,

       They gave to each his portion of the maw,

       Then slashed the remnant, pierced it with the spits,

       And managing with culinary skill

       The roast, withdrew it from the spits again.575

       Their whole task thus accomplish'd, and the board

       023 Set forth, they feasted, and were all sufficed.

       When neither hunger more nor thirst remained

       Unsatisfied, boys crown'd the beakers high

       With wine delicious, and from right to left580

       Distributing the cups, served every guest.

       Thenceforth the youths of the Achaian race

       To song propitiatory gave the day,

       Pæans[32] to Phœbus, Archer of the skies, Chaunting melodious. Pleased, Apollo heard.585 But, when, the sun descending, darkness fell, They on the beach beside their hawsers slept; And, when the day-spring's daughter rosy-palm'd Aurora look'd abroad, then back they steer'd To the vast camp. Fair wind, and blowing fresh,590 Apollo sent them; quick they rear'd the mast, Then spread the unsullied canvas to the gale, And the wind filled it. Roared the sable flood Around the bark, that ever as she went Dash'd wide the brine, and scudded swift away.595 Thus reaching soon the spacious camp of Greece, Their galley they updrew sheer o'er the sands From the rude surge remote, then propp'd her sides With scantlings long,[33] and sought their several tents.

      But Peleus' noble son, the speed-renown'd600

       Achilles, he, his well-built bark beside,

       Consumed his hours, nor would in council more,

       Where wise men win distinction, or in fight

       Appear, to sorrow and heart-withering wo

       Abandon'd; though for battle, ardent, still605

       He panted, and the shout-resounding field.

       But when the twelfth fair morrow streak'd the East,

       024 Then all the everlasting Gods to Heaven

       Resorted, with the Thunderer at their head,

       And Thetis, not unmindful of her son,610

       Prom the salt flood emerged, seeking betimes

       Olympus and the boundless fields of heaven.

       High, on the topmost eminence sublime

       Of the deep-fork'd Olympian she perceived

       The Thunderer seated, from the Gods apart.615

       She sat before him, clasp'd with her left hand

       His knees, her right beneath his chin she placed,

       And thus the King, Saturnian Jove, implored.

      Father of all, by all that I have done

       Or said that ever pleased thee, grant my suit.620

       Exalt my son, by destiny short-lived

       Beyond the lot of others. Him with shame

       The King of men hath overwhelm'd, by force

       Usurping his just meed; thou, therefore, Jove,

       Supreme in wisdom, honor him, and give625

       Success to Troy, till all Achaia's sons

       Shall yield him honor more than he hath lost!

      She spake, to whom the Thunderer nought replied,

       But silent sat long time. She, as her hand

       Had grown there, still importunate, his knees630

       Clasp'd as at first, and thus her suit renew'd.[34]

      Or grant my prayer, and ratify the grant,

       Or send me hence (for thou hast none to fear)

       Plainly refused; that I may know and feel

       By how much I am least of all in heaven.635

      To whom the cloud-assembler at the last

       Spake, deep-distress'd. Hard task and full of strife

       Thou hast enjoined me; Juno will not spare

       For gibe and taunt injurious, whose complaint

       Sounds daily in the ears of all the Gods,640

       That I assist the Trojans; but depart,

       Lest she observe thee; my concern shall be

       How best I may perform thy full desire.

       025 And to assure thee more, I give the sign

       Indubitable, which all fear expels645

       At once from heavenly minds. Nought, so confirmed,

       May, after, be reversed or render'd vain.

      He ceased, and under his dark brows the nod

       Vouchsafed of confirmation. All around

       The Sovereign's everlasting head his curls650

       Ambrosial shook,[35] and the huge mountain reeled.

      Their conference closed, they parted. She, at once,

       From bright Olympus plunged into the flood

       Profound, and Jove to his own courts withdrew.

       Together all the Gods, at his approach,655

       Uprose; none sat expectant till he came,

       But all advanced to meet the Eternal Sire.

       So on his throne he sat. Nor Juno him

       Not understood; she, watchful, had observed,

       In consultation close with Jove engaged660

       Thetis, bright-footed daughter of the deep,

       And keen the son of Saturn thus reproved.

      Shrewd as thou art, who now hath had thine ear?

       Thy joy is ever such, from me apart

       To plan and plot clandestine, and thy thoughts,665

       Think what thou may'st, are always barred to me.

      To whom the father, thus, of heaven and earth.

       Expect not, Juno, that thou shalt partake

       My counsels at all times, which oft in height

       And depth, thy comprehension far exceed,670

       Jove's consort as thou art. When aught occurs

       Meet for thine ear, to none will I impart

       Of Gods or men more free than to thyself.

       But for my secret thoughts, which I withhold

       From all in heaven beside, them search not thou675

       With irksome curiosity and vain.

      026 Him answer'd then the Goddess ample-eyed.[36] What word hath passed thy lips, Saturnian Jove, Thou most severe! I never search thy thoughts, Nor the serenity of thy profound680 Intentions trouble; they are safe from me: But now there seems a cause. Deeply I dread Lest Thetis, silver-footed daughter fair

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