They burned the thighs, and tasted of the heart, And when the lust of meat and drink was gone, sang. The Far-destroyer listened and was glad. 520 But when the sun set and the dusk came on, They raised the mast, and spread white sails thereon. They, when they had reached the broad Achaian host, Drew the dark ship to land; high on the sands They left her, and set great stones underneath, 53° And went home each man to his tent and ship. Meanwhile the swift-foot chief, great Peleus' son, By his sea-travelling ships sat nursing wrath: To the high council went not day by day, Went not to war: but wasted his sweet soul, 535 Abiding there, and dreamed of turmoil and of strife. The twelfth day dawned: and to Olympus trooped, Zeus in the van, the ever-living gods. Thetis forgat not then her son's behests; But mounted on the sea-wave, and in mist 540 Rose to the great heaven and the holy mount. Seated apart she found the All-seeing One, On many-peaked Olympus' topmost crag: Sat at his feet, with one hand clasped his knees, With the other held his beard; and prayed and spake Thus to the son of Cronos, royal Zeus. 545 "Zeus! Sire! If ever word or deed of mine Among the immortals welcome was to thee, Accomplish this my prayer. Exalt my son, Whose days are briefer than are other mens'. 550 Of Agamemnon now is he disdained; He took, he hath, his gift. But thou, who dwell'st She spake. Cloud-circled Zeus said ne'er a word. Long he sat voiceless. Thetis to his knees Clung as the flesh clings, and she spake again. "Now bow thy head, and pledge thy changeless word, Or else refuse-for fears come not nigh thee. 560 Say that of all the gods thou hold'st me least." Spake, big with anger, then cloud-circled Zeus. "Lo! there is woe to be, if I must strive With Herè, whensoe'er she taunts and rails. Ev'n now she wars with me from day to day 565 Before the Gods, and saith I fight for Troy. Yea, that thou mayest have faith, I bow my head. For this is my great token with the gods, Irrevocable, true, each word of mine, Sure of its purpose, when I bow my head." 570 Croníon spake his dark brows bent, and bowed. From his immortal head fell rippling down Such counsel took those twain, and parted. She Plunged from the bright heaven into ocean's depths, And Zeus went homeward. And stood before the Sire. Rose up all the gods None dared abide His coming; all stood up and fronted him. 580 High on his throne he sate him. Herè marked: And well she knew what counsel he had ta'en With that old sea-god's silvery-footed child. Forthwith in bitterness she spake to Zeus, “And which of all the gods, oh wily one, 585 Was partner in thy counsels? Aye thou lov'st To sit, and scheme, and settle, far from me. And never yet didst thou of thy free-will Deign to tell me one word of thy designs." Then spake to her the sire of gods and men. 590 "Look not, oh Herè, all my mind to know. Hard were such knowledge, though thou art my wife. That which 'tis fit for thee to hear, nor god 595 Then answered Herè, the gazelle-eyed Queen. "Dread son of Cronos, have I heard thee right? Long time too little asked I or enquired; Thou plotting that which pleased thee, undis turbed. 600 But now sore fears my soul, lest thou be duped |