The Iliad; - Truth Seeker Times

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16 THE ILIAD. [book i.
" O !
To her with indignation huge spake Jove the cloud-collector
deadly work thou sendest me, in bitter jar and brawling
With Juno to contend, when she by wrangling words wiQ fret me.
For sooth ! she alway even now among the gods immortal 520
Eevileth me, and saith that I the Troians aid in battle.
But thou at present backward draw thy ^tep, ],est haply Juno
Get knowledge : I for thy request will study, to perform it.
Dost doubt ? then by the nod will I give token, to assure thee.
For this, among the immortals, is from me the firmest sanction : 525
Por whatsoe'er with bending head I once assent, is neither
Deceptive nor revokeable, nor faileth of fulfilment."
Such promise utter' d,—Saturn's son with raven eyebrow nodded
And that majestic deathless head did its ambrosial tresses
In mighty undulations wave, and great Olympus shudder'd. 530
After such counselling, the twain were parted. She thereafter
Leapt from Olympus' blazing highth into the briny biUow
And Jove unto his own abode returu'd : the gods, to greet him,
Eose all at once from off their seats, before their proper Father :
Not one his coming dar'd to wait, but all stood up before him. 536
Thus HE did there upon his throne sit down. Yet not was Juno
Slow to take knowledge and discern that silver-footed Thetis,
The daughter of the Ocean sire, with him had join'd in counsel ?
And she forthwith Saturnius with cutting accents chided : [540
" Who of the gods, O skUl'd in wiles 1 with thee did join in counsel?
Pleasant to thee it alway is, apart from me remaining.
With secret purpose to decide ;
nor ever yet thou lovest
me in willing confidence thy inner thoughts to utter."
To her responded thereupon the Sire of gods and mortals
" All the discourses of my mouth, aspire not thou, O Juno, 545
To know : for difficult will they be e'en to thee, my consort.
But of them whatsoever is for conference adapted.
Not one shall earlier than thee this know, of gods or mortals :
But what, apart from other gods, it pleaseth me to ponder.
Inquire not thou too anxiously, nor seek my mind to fathom." 550
529. Amhrodal, fit for an immortal j we want to say " immortalio."
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