The Classic Myths in English Literature and in Art (2nd ed.) (1911): Based Originally on Bulfinch's "Age of Fable" (1855) — John Stuart Mill — John Shaqi
The Classic Myths in English Literature and in Art (2nd ed.) (1911): Based Originally on Bulfinch's "Age of Fable" (1855)
John Stuart Mill · en
Even as gloomy mist appeareth from the clouds when after heat a
stormy wind ariseth, even so to Tydeus' son Diomede brazen Mars
appeared amid clouds, faring to wide Heaven. Swiftly came he to
the gods' dwelling, steep Olympus, and sat beside Jupiter, son
of Cronus, with grief at heart, and showed the immortal blood
flowing from the wound, and piteously spake to him winged words:
"Father Jupiter, hast thou no indignation to behold these violent
deeds? For ever cruelly suffer we gods by one another's devices,
in showing men grace. With thee are we all at variance, because
thou didst beget that reckless maiden and baleful, whose thought
is ever of iniquitous deeds. For all the other gods that are
in Olympus hearken to thee, and we are subject every one; only
her thou chaste-nest not, neither in deed nor word, but settest
her on, because this pestilent one is thine own offspring. Now
hath she urged on Tydeus' son, even overweening Diomede, to rage
furiously against the immortal gods. The Cyprian first he wounded
in close fight, in the wrist of her hand, and then assailed he
me, even me, with the might of a god. Howbeit my swift feet bare
me away; else had I long endured anguish there amid the grisly
heaps of dead, or else had lived strengthless from the smitings
of the spear."
Then Jupiter the cloud-gatherer looked sternly at him, and said:
"Nay, thou renegade, sit not by me and whine. Most hateful to
me art thou of all gods that dwell in Olympus; thou ever lovest
strife and wars and battles. Truly thy mother's spirit is
intolerable, unyielding, even Juno's; her can I scarce rule with
words. Therefore I deem that by her prompting thou art in this
plight. Yet will I no longer endure to see thee in anguish; mine
offspring art thou, and to me thy mother bare thee. But wert thou
born of any other god unto this violence, long ere this hadst
thou been lower than the sons of Heaven."
So spake he and bade Pæan heal him. And Pæan laid assuaging
drugs upon the wound, and healed him, seeing he was in no wise
of mortal mold. Even as fig juice maketh haste to thicken white
milk, that is liquid but curdleth speedily as a man stirreth,
even so swiftly healed he impetuous Mars. And Hebe bathed him and
clothed him in gracious raiment, and he sate down by Jupiter, son
of Cronus, glorying in his might.
Then fared the twain back to the mansion of great Jupiter, even
Juno and Minerva, having stayed Mars, scourge of mortals, from
his man-slaying.[84]
=69. Mars and Minerva.= It would seem that the insatiate son of Juno
should have learned by this sad experience to avoid measuring arms with
the ægis-bearing Minerva. But he renewed the contest at a later period
in the fortunes of the Trojan War: