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1—23.

around thee, O son of Peleus, were the Achæans armed, insatiable in fight, beside their crooked ships; and the Trojans, on the other side, on the acclivity of the plain. But Jove ordered Themis to summon the gods to an assembly, from the top of many-valleyed Olympus, and she, going round, ordered them to proceed to the palace of Jove. Nor was any one of the rivers absent, save Oceanus, nor of the nymphs who inhabit the pleasant groves and springs of rivers, and the grassy meads. Then, coming to the habitation of cloud-compelling Jove, they sat down upon shining polished benches, which Vulcan with cunning skill had made for father Jove. Thus were they assembled within the palace of Jove: nor did Neptune disobey the goddess, but he came to them from the sea. Then he sat in the midst, and inquired the design of Jove:

"Why again, O hurler of the glowing lightning, hast thou summoned the gods to an assembly? Dost thou deliberate any thing respecting the Trojans and Greeks? For now their combat and the battle are on the point of being kindled."

But him cloud-compelling Jove answering, addressed:

"Thou knowest, O earth-shaker, my design within my breast, [and] for whose sake I have assembled you; for though about to perish, they are a care to me. I will, however, remain sitting on the top of Olympus, whence looking, Rh