Page 295 - the-iliad

Therefore I will not walk as Jove would have me. For all his
strength, let him keep to his own third share and be con-
tented without threatening to lay hands upon me as though
I were nobody. Let him keep his bragging talk for his own
sons and daughters, who must perforce obey him.’
Iris fleet as the wind then answered, ‘Am I really, Nep-
tune, to take this daring and unyielding message to Jove, or
will you reconsider your answer? Sensible people are open
to argument, and you know that the Erinyes always range
themselves on the side of the older person.’
Neptune answered, ‘Goddess Iris, your words have been
spoken in season. It is well when a messenger shows so much
discretion. Nevertheless it cuts me to the very heart that any
one should rebuke so angrily another who is his own peer,
and of like empire with himself. Now, however, I will give
way in spite of my displeasure; furthermore let me tell you,
and I mean what I say— if contrary to the desire of myself,
Minerva driver of the spoil, Juno, Mercury, and King Vul-
can, Jove spares steep Ilius, and will not let the Achaeans
have the great triumph of sacking it, let him understand
that he will incur our implacable resentment.’
Neptune now left the field to go down under the sea, and
sorely did the Achaeans miss him. Then Jove said to Apollo,
‘Go, dear Phoebus, to Hector, for Neptune who holds the
earth in his embrace has now gone down under the sea to
avoid the severity of my displeasure. Had he not done so
those gods who are below with Saturn would have come to
hear of the fight between us. It is better for both of us that
he should have curbed his anger and kept out of my reach,

The Iliad