Then Thetis departed, diving into the deep sea, and Zeus went to his own house, and all the gods rose up before him. And when he sat upon his chair, then Hera, knowing that Thetis of the silver feet had held counsel with him, addressed him with bitter words.
"Who hath been in council with thee, thou plotter? Thou dost always take pleasure, when I am absent, in secret plans, and never tellest thy thought to me freely."
To her the father of gods and men made reply: "Hera, think not to know all my thoughts; that would be too hard for thee, even though thou art my wife. That which is fitting thou shalt hear first; but into such counsel as I take by myself inquire thou not."
Hera answered: "What sayest thou? I have not pried into thy plans. These thou makest as thou wilt. And now I sorely fear that Thetis of the silver feet hath persuaded thee. At dawn of day I saw her kneeling before thee; thou hast granted, I doubt not, that Achilles shall have honour, and that many of the Greeks shall die beside their ships."
To this Zeus made reply: "Verily nothing escapeth thee, thou witch. If it be as thou sayest, such is my will. Do thou sit silent, and obey. Else all the gods in Olympus shall not save thee, when I lay upon thee the hands that none may resist."
Then Hera was afraid, and held her peace, and all the gods were troubled. But her son Hephæstus, the smith, spake, saying: "This indeed will be grievous, if ye two come to strife for the sake of mortal men, and make trouble among the gods. If such ill counsels prevail, what pleasure shall we have in our feasting? Now will I advise my mother that she make peace with Zeus, lest he rebuke her again. If he were minded to hurl her from these seats, who should withstand him?"
He-phæs'-tus.
Thereupon he put the double-handled cup into his mother's hand, and said: "Have patience, mother, for all that thou art vexed, lest I see thee beaten before mine eyes. I could not help thee. Once before when I would have succoured thee, he grasped me by the foot, and flung me from the threshold of heaven. All day I fell, and at sunset I lighted in Lemnos."
Then Hera smiled, and took the cup from her son. And he went round to all the gods, going from left to right as a cupbearer should, and poured the nectar from the mixing-bowl, and laughter without end awoke among the blessed gods, when they saw the limping Hephæstus go puffing through the hall.
Gods and men slept that night; but Zeus slept not, for he thought in his heart how he might do honour to Achilles. And as he thought, he judged it best to send a deceiving dream to Agamemnon. Therefore he said: "Go, deceiving Dream, to the swift ships of the Greeks, and seek the tent of Agamemnon. Bid him make haste and arm the Greeks, for he shall surely take the city of Troy."