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I have called you hither. I take thought <strong>for</strong> them even in their destruction.<br />

For my own part I shall stay here seated on Mt. Olympus and look on<br />

in peace, but do you others go about among Trojans and Achaeans, and<br />

help either side as you may be severally disposed. If Achilles fights<br />

the Trojans without hindrance they will make no stand against him;<br />

they have ever trembled at the sight of him, and now that he is roused<br />

to such fury about his comrade, he will override fate itself and storm<br />

their city."<br />

Thus spoke Jove and gave the word <strong>for</strong> war, whereon the gods took their<br />

several sides and went into battle. Juno, Pallas Minerva, earth-­‐encircling<br />

Neptune, Mercury bringer of good luck and excellent in all cunning-­‐<br />

all these joined the host that came from the ships; with them also<br />

came Vulcan in all his glory, limping, but yet with his thin legs<br />

plying lustily under him. Mars of gleaming helmet joined the Trojans,<br />

and with him Apollo of locks unshorn, and the archer goddess Diana,<br />

Leto, Xanthus, and laughter-­‐loving Venus.<br />

So long as the gods held themselves aloof from mortal warriors the<br />

Achaeans were triumphant, <strong>for</strong> Achilles who had long refused to fight<br />

was now with them. <strong>The</strong>re was not a Trojan but his limbs failed him<br />

<strong>for</strong> fear as he beheld the fleet son of Peleus all glorious in his<br />

armour, and looking like Mars himself. When, however, the Olympians<br />

came to take their part among men, <strong>for</strong>thwith uprose strong Strife,<br />

rouser of hosts, and Minerva raised her loud voice, now standing <strong>by</strong><br />

the deep trench that ran outside the wall, and now shouting with all<br />

her might upon the shore of the sounding sea. Mars also bellowed out<br />

upon the other side, dark as some black thunder-­‐cloud, and called

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