Sounds daily in the ears of all the Gods, 640
That I assist the Trojans; but depart,
Lest she observe thee; my concern shall be
How best I may perform thy full desire. 
And to assure thee more, I give the sign
Indubitable, which all fear expels 645
At once from heavenly minds.  Nought, so confirmed,
May, after, be reversed or render’d vain. 
He ceased, and under his dark brows the nod
Vouchsafed of confirmation.  All around
The Sovereign’s everlasting head his curls 650
Ambrosial shook,[35] and the huge mountain reeled. 
Their conference closed, they parted.  She, at once,
From bright Olympus plunged into the flood
Profound, and Jove to his own courts withdrew. 
Together all the Gods, at his approach, 655
Uprose; none sat expectant till he came,
But all advanced to meet the Eternal Sire. 
So on his throne he sat.  Nor Juno him
Not understood; she, watchful, had observed,
In consultation close with Jove engaged 660
Thetis, bright-footed daughter of the deep,
And keen the son of Saturn thus reproved. 
Shrewd as thou art, who now hath had thine ear? 
Thy joy is ever such, from me apart
To plan and plot clandestine, and thy thoughts, 665
Think what thou may’st, are always barred to me. 
To whom the father, thus, of heaven and earth. 
Expect not, Juno, that thou shalt partake
My counsels at all times, which oft in height
And depth, thy comprehension far exceed, 670
Jove’s consort as thou art.  When aught occurs
Meet for thine ear, to none will I impart
Of Gods or men more free than to thyself. 
But for my secret thoughts, which I withhold
From all in heaven beside, them search not thou 675
With irksome curiosity and vain. 
Him answer’d then the Goddess ample-eyed.[36]
What word hath passed thy lips, Saturnian Jove,
Thou most severe!  I never search thy thoughts,
Nor the serenity of thy profound 680
Intentions trouble; they are safe from me: 
But now there seems a cause.  Deeply I dread
Lest Thetis, silver-footed daughter fair
Of Ocean’s hoary Sovereign, here arrived
At early dawn to practise on thee, Jove! 685
I noticed her a suitress at thy knees,
And much misdeem or promise-bound thou stand’st
To Thetis past recall, to exalt her son,
And Greeks to slaughter thousands at the ships. 
To whom the cloud-assembler God, incensed. 690
Ah subtle! ever teeming with surmise,
And fathomer of my concealed designs,
Thy toil is vain, or (which is worse for thee,)
Shall but estrange thee from mine heart the more. 
And be it as thou sayest,—­I am well pleased 695
That so it should be.  Be advised, desist,