Or idly roving, or intent on fate. These are the sev’ral and establish’d laws: Now see how each maintains his bloody cause. Here paused the god, but (since whene’er they wage War here on earth the gods themselves engage 165 In mutual battle as they hate or love, And the most stubborn war is oft above), Almighty Jove commands the circling train Of gods from fav’ring either to abstain, And let the fight be silently survey’d; 170 And added solemn threats if disobey’d. Then call’d he Phoebus from among the Powers And subtle Hermes, whom in softer hours Fair Maia bore: youth wanton’d in their face; Both in life’s bloom, both shone with equal grace. 175 Hermes as yet had never wing’d his feet; As yet Apollo in his radiant seat Had never driv’n his chariot through the air, Known by his bow alone and golden hair. These Jove commission’d to attempt the fray, 180 And rule the sportive military day; Bid them agree which party each maintains, And promised a reward that’s worth their pains. The greater took their seats; on either hand Respectful the less gods in order stand, 185 But careful not to interrupt their play, By hinting when t’ advance or run away. Then they examine, who shall first proceed To try their courage, and their army lead. Chance gave it for the White, that he should go 190 First with a brave defiance to the foe. Awhile he ponder’d which of all his train Should bear his first commission o’er the plain; And then determined to begin the scene With him that stood before to guard the Queen. 195 He took a double step: with instant care Does the black Monarch in his turn prepare The adverse champion, and with stern command Bid him repel the charge with equal hand. There front to front, the midst of all the field, 200 With furious threats their shining arms they wield; Yet vain the conflict, neither can prevail While in one path each other they assail. On ev’ry side to their assistance fly Their fellow soldiers, and with strong supply 205 Crowd to the battle, but no bloody stain Tinctures their armour; sportive in the plain Mars plays awhile, and in excursion slight Harmless they sally forth, or wait the fight. But now the swarthy Foot, that first appear’d 210 To front the foe, his pond’rous jav’lin rear’d Leftward aslant, and a pale warrior slays, Spurns him aside, and boldly takes his place. Unhappy youth, his danger not to spy! Instant he fell, and triumph’d but to die. 215 At this the sable King with prudent care Removed his station from the middle square, And slow retiring to the farthest ground, There safely lurk’d, with troops entrench’d around. Then from each quarter to the war advance 220 The furious Knights, and poise the trembling lance: By turns they rush, by turns the victors yield, Heaps of dead Foot choke up the crimson’d field: They fall unable to retreat; around