“Haste thee, swift Iris, and to Ocean’s King My message bear, nor misreporting aught, Nor aught omitting; from the battle-field Bid him retire, and join th’ assembled Gods, Or to his own domain of sea withdraw. If my commands he heed not, nor obey, Let him consider in his inmost soul If, mighty though he be, he dare await My hostile coming; mightier far than him, His elder born; nor may his spirit aspire To rival me, whom all regard with awe.” He said; swift-footed Iris, at the word, From Ida’s heights to sacred Ilium sped. Swift as the snow-flakes from the clouds descend, Or wintry hail before the driving blast Of Boreas, ether-born; so swift to Earth Descended Iris; by his side she stood, And with these words th’ Earth-shaking God address’d: “A message, dark-hair’d Circler of the Earth, To thee I bring from Ægis-bearing Jove. He bids thee straightway from the battle-field Retire, and either join th’ assembled Gods, Or to thine own domain of sea withdraw. If his commands thou heed not, nor obey, Hither he menaces himself to come, And fight against thee; but he warns thee first, Beware his arm, as mightier far than thee, Thine elder born; nor may thy spirit aspire To rival him, whom all regard with awe.” To whom in tow’ring wrath th’ Earth-shaking God: “By Heav’n, though great he be, he yet presumes Somewhat too far, if me, his equal born, He seeks by force to baffle of my will. We were three brethren, all of Rhaea born To Saturn; Jove and I, and Pluto third, Who o’er the nether regions holds his sway. Threefold was our partition; each obtain’d His meed of honour due; the hoary Sea By lot my habitation was assign’d; The realms of Darkness fell to Pluto’s share; Broad Heav’n, amid the sky and clouds, to Jove; But Earth, and high Olympus, are to all A common heritage; nor will I walk To please the will of Jove; though great he be, With his own third contented let him rest: Nor let him think that I, as wholly vile, Shall quail before his arm; his lofty words Were better to his daughters and his sons Address’d, his own begotten; who perforce Must listen to his mandates, and obey.” To whom swift-footed Iris thus replied: “Is this, then, dark-hair’d Circler of the Earth, The message, stern and haughty, which to Jove Thou bidd’st me bear? perchance thine angry mood May bend to better counsels; noblest minds Are easiest bent; and o’er superior age Thou know’st th’ avenging Furies ever watch.”