Page 291 - the-iliad

ings, and drive the Achaeans back in confusion till they fall
among the ships of Achilles son of Peleus. Achilles will then
send his comrade Patroclus into battle, and Hector will kill
him in front of Ilius after he has slain many warriors, and
among them my own noble son Sarpedon. Achilles will kill
Hector to avenge Patroclus, and from that time I will bring
it about that the Achaeans shall persistently drive the Tro-
jans back till they fulfil the counsels of Minerva and take
Ilius. But I will not stay my anger, nor permit any god to
help the Danaans till I have accomplished the desire of the
son of Peleus, according to the promise I made by bowing
my head on the day when Thetis touched my knees and be-
sought me to give him honour.’
Juno heeded his words and went from the heights of Ida
to great Olympus. Swift as the thought of one whose fan-
cy carries him over vast continents, and he says to himself,
‘Now I will be here, or there,’ and he would have all manner
of things—even so swiftly did Juno wing her way till she
came to high Olympus and went in among the gods who
were gathered in the house of Jove. When they saw her they
all of them came up to her, and held out their cups to her by
way of greeting. She let the others be, but took the cup of-
fered her by lovely Themis, who was first to come running
up to her. ‘Juno,’ said she, ‘why are you here? And you seem
troubled—has your husband the son of Saturn been fright-
ening you?’
And Juno answered, ‘Themis, do not ask me about it. You
know what a proud and cruel disposition my husband has.
Lead the gods to table, where you and all the immortals can

0 The Iliad