Page:Iliad Buckley.djvu/30

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18
ILIAD. I.
509—542.

honor him; and so long grant victory to the Trojans, until the Greeks shall reverence my son, and shall advance him in honor."

Thus she spoke; but cloud-compelling Jove answered her nothing, but sat silent for a long time. And as Thetis seized his knees, fast clinging she held them, and thus again entreated: "Do but now promise to me explicitly, and grant or refuse (for in thee there is no dread), that I may well know how far I am the most dishonored goddess among all."

But her cloud-compelling Jove, deeply moved, addressed: "Truly now this [will be] a grievous matter, since thou wilt cause me to give offense to Juno, when she shall irritate me with reproachful words. For, even without reason, she is perpetually chiding me among the immortal gods, and also says that I aid the Trojans in battle. But do thou on thy part now depart, lest Juno behold thee; but these things shall be my care, until I perform them. But if [thou wilt have it thus], so be it; I will nod to thee with my head, that thou mayest feel confidence. For this from me is the greatest pledge among the immortals; for my pledge, even whatsoever I shall sanction by nod, is not to be retracted, neither fallacious nor unfulfilled."

The son of Saturn spoke, and nodded thereupon with his dark eyebrows. And then the ambrosial locks of the king were shaken over him from his immortal head; and he made mighty Olympus tremble. Thus having conferred, they separated. She at once plunged from splendid Olympus into the profound sea. But Jove on the other hand [returned] to his palace. But all the gods rose up together from their seats to meet their sire; nor did any dare to await[1] him approaching, but all rose in his presence. Thus indeed he sat there on his throne; nor was Juno unconscious, having seen that silver-footed Thetis, the daughter of the marine old man, had joined in deliberation with him. Forthwith with reproaches she accosted Saturnian Jove:

"Which of the gods again, O deceitful one, has been concerting measures with thee? Ever is it agreeable to thee, being apart from me, plotting secret things, to decide thereon,

  1. Heyne supplies "sedendo."