HOMER'S ILIAD COMPLETE

Rhapsody 8

Literally Translated, with Explanatory Notes, by Theodore Alois Buckley

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Page 16

Thus he said: but Minerva and Juno murmured. They sat near each other, and were devising evils for the Trojans.

Minerva, indeed, was silent, nor said anything, angry with father Jove, for wild rage possessed her. But Juno contained not her wrath in her breast, but addressed him:

"Most terrible son of Saturn, what hast thou said? Well do we know that thy might is invincible: yet do we lament the warlike Greeks, who will now perish, fulfilling their evil destiny. But nevertheless, we will desist from war, if thou desirest it. But we will suggest counsel to the Greeks, which will avail them, that they may not all perish, thou being wrathful."

But her cloud-compelling Jove answering, addressed: "To-morrow, if thou wilt, O venerable, large-eyed Juno, thou shalt behold the very powerful son of Saturn even with greater havoc destroying the mighty army of the warlike Greeks. For warlike Hector will not cease from battle before that he arouse the swift-footed son of Peleus at the ships. On that day, when they indeed are fighting at the ships, in a very narrow pass, for Patroclus fallen. For thus is it fated. But I do not make account of thee enraged, not if thou shouldst go to the furthest limits of land and ocean, where Iapetus and Saturn sitting, are delighted neither with the splendour of the sun that journeys on high, nor with the winds; but profound Tartarus [is] all around—not even if wandering, thou shouldst go there, have I regard for thee enraged, since there is nothing more impudent than thou."

Thus he said: but white-armed Juno answered nought. And the bright light of the sun fell into the ocean, drawing dark night over the fruitful earth.[286] The light set to the Trojans indeed unwilling; but gloomy and much-desired light came on, grateful to the Greeks.

[Footnote 286: Beautifully expressed by Ennius apud Macrob. Sat. vi. 4: "Interea fax Occidit, Oceanumque rubra tractim obruit aethra." See Columna on Enn. p. 113, ed. Hessel.]

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