Page:The Odyssey of Homer, with the Hymns, Epigrams, and Battle of the Frogs and Mice (Buckley 1853).djvu/372

336 holds a council on the subject, but at the suggestion of Minerva—who, though extremely angry with the mice for nibbling one of her petticoats into rags, is still so incensed with the frogs for depriving her of sleep, that she will assist neither party—it is resolved that the gods shall be passive spectators of the contest. The battle begins: great prowess is displayed on either side; but at length the mice get the better, and the entire race of frogs is on the very point of extermination, when Jupiter interferes with lightning and thunder. The mice, however, pay no attention to these hints of the divine will, and are pursuing their advantage, when Jupiter, as a last resource, orders a detachment of crabs to make an échelon movement upon the victors. This manœuvre effectually checks the mice, who, some with their tails, and some with legs bitten off, retire to their holes, and leave the remnant of the frogs to croak dolefully over their defeat and loss."