Page 400 - the-iliad

for them even in their destruction. For my own part I shall
stay here seated on Mt. Olympus and look on in peace, but
do you others go about among Trojans and Achaeans, and
help either side as you may be severally disposed. If Achil-
les fights the Trojans without hindrance they will make no
stand against him; they have ever trembled at the sight of
him, and now that he is roused to such fury about his com-
rade, he will override fate itself and storm their city.’
Thus spoke Jove and gave the word for war, whereon the
gods took their several sides and went into battle. Juno, Pal-
las Minerva, earth-encircling Neptune, Mercury bringer of
good luck and excellent in all cunning—all these joined the
host that came from the ships; with them also came Vulcan
in all his glory, limping, but yet with his thin legs plying
lustily under him. Mars of gleaming helmet joined the Tro-
jans, and with him Apollo of locks unshorn, and the archer
goddess Diana, Leto, Xanthus, and laughter-loving Venus.
So long as the gods held themselves aloof from mortal
warriors the Achaeans were triumphant, for Achilles who
had long refused to fight was now with them. There was
not a Trojan but his limbs failed him for fear as he beheld
the fleet son of Peleus all glorious in his armour, and look-
ing like Mars himself. When, however, the Olympians came
to take their part among men, forthwith uprose strong
Strife, rouser of hosts, and Minerva raised her loud voice,
now standing by the deep trench that ran outside the wall,
and now shouting with all her might upon the shore of the
sounding sea. Mars also bellowed out upon the other side,
dark as some black thunder-cloud, and called on the Tro-