Which by a false oath I will never wrong,50 That by no art induced or plot of mine Neptune, the Shaker of the shores, inflicts These harms on Hector and the Trojan host Aiding the Grecians, but impell’d alone By his own heart with pity moved at sight55 Of the Achaians at the ships subdued. But even him, oh Sovereign of the storms! I am prepared to admonish that he quit The battle, and retire where thou command’st. So she; then smiled the Sire of Gods and men,60 And in wing’d accents answer thus return’d.[3] Juno! wouldst thou on thy celestial throne Assist my counsels, howso’er in heart He differ now, Neptune should soon his will Submissive bend to thy desires and mine.65 But if sincerity be in thy words And truth, repairing to the blest abodes Send Iris hither, with the archer God Apollo; that she, visiting the host Of Greece, may bid the Sovereign of the Deep70 Renounce the fight, and seek his proper home. Apollo’s part shall be to rouse again Hector to battle, to inspire his soul Afresh with courage, and all memory thence To banish of the pangs which now he feels.75 Apollo also shall again repulse Achaia’s host, which with base panic fill’d, Shall even to Achilles’ ships be driven. Achilles shall his valiant friend exhort Patroclus forth; him under Ilium’s walls80 Shall glorious Hector slay; but many a youth Shall perish by Patroclus first, with whom, My noble son Sarpedon. Peleus’ son, Resentful of Patroclus’ death, shall slay Hector, and I will urge ceaseless, myself,85 Thenceforth the routed Trojans back again, Till by Minerva’s aid the Greeks shall take Ilium’s proud city; till that day arrive My wrath shall burn, nor will I one permit Of all the Immortals to assist the Greeks,90 But will perform Achilles’ whole desire. Such was my promise to him at the first, Ratified by a nod that self-same day When Thetis clasp’d my knees, begging revenge And glory for her city-spoiler son.95 He ended; nor his spouse white-arm’d refused Obedience, but from the Idæan heights Departing, to the Olympian summit soar’d. Swift as the traveller’s thought,[4] who, many a land Traversed, deliberates on his future course100 Uncertain, and his mind sends every way, So swift updarted Juno to the skies. Arrived on the Olympian heights, she found The Gods assembled; they, at once, their seats At her approach forsaking, with full cups105 Her coming hail’d; heedless of all beside, She took the cup from blooming Themis’ hand, For she first flew to welcome her, and thus In accents wing’d of her return inquired. Say, Juno, why this sudden re-ascent?110 Thou seem’st dismay’d; hath Saturn’s son, thy spouse, Driven thee affrighted to the skies again? To whom the white-arm’d Goddess thus replied. Themis divine, ask not. Full well thou know’st How harshly temper’d is the mind of Jove,115 And how untractable. Resume thy seat; The banquet calls thee; at our board preside, Thou shalt be told, and all in heaven shall hear What ills he threatens; such as shall not leave