The Iliad of Homer


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When Jove, disposed to tempt Saturnia's spleen,  
Thus waked the fury of his partial queen,  
"Two powers divine the son of Atreus aid,  
Imperial Juno, and the martial maid;(125)  
But high in heaven they sit, and gaze from far,  
The tame spectators of his deeds of war.  
Not thus fair Venus helps her favour'd knight,  
The queen of pleasures shares the toils of fight,  
Each danger wards, and constant in her care,  
Saves in the moment of the last despair.  
Her act has rescued Paris' forfeit life,  
Though great Atrides gain'd the glorious strife.  
Then say, ye powers! what signal issue waits  
To crown this deed, and finish all the fates!  
Shall Heaven by peace the bleeding kingdoms spare,  
Or rouse the furies, and awake the war?  
Yet, would the gods for human good provide,  
Atrides soon might gain his beauteous bride,  
Still Priam's walls in peaceful honours grow,  
And through his gates the crowding nations flow."  
Thus while he spoke, the queen of heaven, enraged,  
And queen of war, in close consult engaged:  
Apart they sit, their deep designs employ,  
And meditate the future woes of Troy.  
180  


Page
178 179 180 181 182

Quick Jump
1 245 490 735 980