I soar above thy pitch, and none shall dare
Attempt, thenceforth, comparison with me. 235
He ended, and the big, disdainful heart
Throbbed of Achilles; racking doubt ensued
And sore perplex’d him, whether forcing wide
A passage through them, with his blade unsheathed
To lay Atrides breathless at his foot, 240
Or to command his stormy spirit down. 
So doubted he, and undecided yet
Stood drawing forth his falchion huge; when lo! 
Down sent by Juno, to whom both alike
Were dear, and who alike watched over both, 245
Pallas descended.  At his back she stood
To none apparent, save himself alone,
And seized his golden locks.  Startled, he turned,
And instant knew Minerva.  Flashed her eyes
Terrific;[18] whom with accents on the wing 250
Of haste, incontinent he questioned thus. 
Daughter of Jove, why comest thou? that thyself
May’st witness these affronts which I endure
From Agamemnon?  Surely as I speak,
This moment, for his arrogance, he dies. 255
To whom the blue-eyed Deity.  From heaven
Mine errand is, to sooth, if thou wilt hear,
Thine anger.  Juno the white-arm’d alike
To him and thee propitious, bade me down: 
Restrain thy wrath.  Draw not thy falchion forth. 260
Retort, and sharply, and let that suffice. 
For I foretell thee true.  Thou shalt receive,
Some future day, thrice told, thy present loss
For this day’s wrong.  Cease, therefore, and be still. 
To whom Achilles.  Goddess, although much 265
Exasperate, I dare not disregard
Thy word, which to obey is always best.[19]
Who hears the Gods, the Gods hear also him. 
He said; and on his silver hilt the force
Of his broad hand impressing, sent the blade 270
Home to its rest, nor would the counsel scorn
Of Pallas.  She to heaven well-pleased return’d,
And in the mansion of Jove AEgis[20]-armed
Arriving, mingled with her kindred Gods. 
But though from violence, yet not from words 275
Abstained Achilles, but with bitter taunt
Opprobrious, his antagonist reproached. 
Oh charged with wine, in steadfastness of face
Dog unabashed, and yet at heart a deer! 
Thou never, when the troops have taken arms, 280
Hast dared to take thine also; never thou
Associate with Achaia’s Chiefs, to form
The secret ambush.[21] No.  The sound of war
Is as the voice of destiny to thee. 
Doubtless the course is safer far, to range 285
Our numerous host, and if a man have dared
Dispute thy will, to rob him of his prize. 
King! over whom?  Women and spiritless—­
Whom therefore thou devourest; else themselves
Would stop that mouth that it should scoff no more. 290
But hearken.  I shall swear a solemn oath.