The Iliad of Homer


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He bids thee from forbidden wars repair  
To thine own deeps, or to the fields of air.  
This if refused, he bids thee timely weigh  
His elder birthright, and superior sway.  
How shall thy rashness stand the dire alarms  
If heaven's omnipotence descend in arms?  
Striv'st thou with him by whom all power is given?  
And art thou equal to the lord of heaven?"  
"
What means the haughty sovereign of the skies?  
(The king of ocean thus, incensed, replies;)  
Rule as he will his portion'd realms on high;  
No vassal god, nor of his train, am I.  
Three brother deities from Saturn came,  
And ancient Rhea, earth's immortal dame:  
Assign'd by lot, our triple rule we know;  
Infernal Pluto sways the shades below;  
O'er the wide clouds, and o'er the starry plain,  
Ethereal Jove extends his high domain;  
My court beneath the hoary waves I keep,  
And hush the roarings of the sacred deep;  
Olympus, and this earth, in common lie:  
What claim has here the tyrant of the sky?  
Far in the distant clouds let him control,  
And awe the younger brothers of the pole;  
There to his children his commands be given,  
550  


Page
548 549 550 551 552

Quick Jump
1 245 490 735 980