The Iliads of Homer Translated according to the Greek · Homer
ANOTHER ARGUMENT
Their huge works in so little time were to perfection brought, That all Gods, by the Lightner set, the frame thereof admir’d; ‘Mongst whom the Earthquake-making God, this of their king inquir’d: “Father of Gods, will any man, of all earth’s grassy sphere, Ask any of the Gods’ consents to any actions there, If thou wilt see the shag-hair’d Greeks, with headstrong labours frame So huge a work, and not to us due off’rings first enflame? As far as white Aurora’s dews are sprinkled through the air, Fame will renown the hands of Greece, for this divine affair; Men will forget the sacred work, the Sun and I did raise For king Laomedon (bright Troy) and this will bear the praise.” Jove was extremely mov’d with him, and said: “What words are these, Thou mighty Shaker of the earth, thou Lord of all the seas?
Some other God, of far less pow’r, might hold conceits, dismay’d With this rare Grecian stratagem, and thou rest well apaid;[7] For it will glorify thy name, as far as light extends; Since, when these Greeks shall see again their native soil and friends, The bulwark batter’d, thou mayst quite devour it with thy waves, And cover, with thy fruitless sands, this fatal shore of graves; That, what their fi’ry industries have so divinely wrought In raising it, in razing it thy pow’r will prove it nought.” Thus spake the Gods among themselves. Set was the fervent sun; And now the great work of the Greeks was absolutely done. Then slew they oxen in their tents, and strength with food reviv’d, When out of Lemnos a great fleet of od’rous wine arrived, Sent by Eunëus, Jason’s son, born of Hypsipyle. The fleet contain’d a thousand tun, which must transported be To Atreus’ sons, as he gave charge, whose merchandise it was. The Greeks bought wine for shining steel, and some for sounding brass, Some for ox-hides, for oxen some, and some for prisoners. A sumptuous banquet was prepar’d; and all that night the peers And fair-hair’d Greeks consum’d in feast. So Trojans, and their aid. And all the night Jove thunder’d loud; pale fear all thoughts dismay’d. While they were gluttonous in earth, Jove wrought their banes in heav’n. They pour’d full cups upon the ground, and were to off’rings driv’n Instead of quaffings; and to drink, none durst attempt, before In solemn sacrifice they did almighty Jove adore. Then to their rests they all repair’d; bold zeal their fear bereav’d; And sudden sleep’s refreshing gift, securely they receiv’d.
Text from Project Gutenberg, public domain in the United States.