Page:The Iliad and Odyssey of Homer (IA iliadodysseyofho02home).pdf/584

576 My friends! I neither drown'd the Mouse, nor saw His drowning. Doubtless, while he strove in sport To imitate the swimming of the Frogs, He sank and died. Thus, blame is none in me, And these injurious sland'rers do me wrong. Consult we, therefore, how we may destroy The subtle Mice, which thus we will perform. Arm'd and adorn'd for battle, we will wait Their coming where our coast is most abrupt. Then, soon as they shall rush to the assault, Seizing them by the helmet, as they come, We will precipitate them, arms and all, Into the lake; unskilful as they are To swim, their suffocation there is sure, And we will build a trophy to record The great Mouse-massacre for evermore. So saying, he gave commandment, and all arm'd. With leaves of mallows each his legs incased, Guarded his bosom with a corslet cut From the green beet, with foliage tough of kail Fashion'd his ample buckler, with a rush Keen-tipt, of length tremendous, fill'd his gripe, And on his brows set fast a cockle-shell. Then, on the summit of the loftiest bank Drawn into phalanx firm they stood, all shook Their quiv'ring spears, and wrath swell'd ev'ry breast. Jove saw them, and assembling all the Gods To council in the skies, behold, he said,