The news of Hector’s fall was greeted with loud rejoicing in the Achaian army. Their old courage returned and Poseidon’s presence worked wonders of heroism. The Trojans retreated farther and farther and few of the leaders fought alone. Victory now inclined toward the side of the Achaians, for Hector lay wounded on the banks of the Xanthus and the gods no longer fought for Troy. Thus the Trojans soon found themselves again near the city walls and even forced behind them.
Chapter X
Jupiter’s Message to Poseidon—The Battle for the Ships
Jupiter awoke and rubbed his eyes. His first glance sought the ships. How changed was the situation! “Ha, Juno,” he cried angrily, “this is thy work, deceitful, malicious woman! So that was the meaning of thy caresses, thy friendliness and sweet talk, false serpent. Of what use is it to chastise thee? Hast thou already forgotten thy punishment when thou didst send a storm to drive my son Hercules into imprisonment on Kos and I made thee swing on a chain twixt heaven and earth with an anvil fastened to each foot? Suppose that now I were to—”
“Heaven and Earth are my witnesses, and I will even swear it by the Styx, that Poseidon did not go into the battle at my behest,” said the affrighted goddess. “I do not know whether the Achaians have persuaded him to it or his own heart. Rather would I counsel him to go whithersoever thou commandest.”
The father of gods and men answered, smiling grimly: “If thou wert of my mind, regal Juno, Poseidon would certainly soon change his course. But now call Iris quickly and Apollo of the bow, that they may descend and command Poseidon to leave the battlefield and return to his palace.”
The lily-armed Juno willingly obeyed, though she still meditated mischief in her heart. She drove quickly to high Olympus, where she found the immortals in the banquet hall. Craftily she spoke to them. “It is useless to seek to change Jupiter’s decrees,” she said. “Little he cares for us, for he feels himself high above us all in strength and power. Only just now I saw Ascalaphus, the beloved son of mighty Mars, slain in battle.”
“Do not blame me, ye dwellers in Olympus, if I go to avenge the death of my son,” wailed Mars; “even though the bolt of the Thunderer strike me down.” He rushed from the hall and donned his shining armor, appearing greater and more terrible than ever.
Incalculable mischief would have followed if Athena, concerned for the rest of the gods, had not hurried after him and taken his helmet, shield, and lance from him by force. “Imbecile,” she cried, “wouldst thou destroy us all? Woe unto us if he should see thee, the terrible Jupiter! Thy son was but a mortal and other noble warriors have fallen; it is impossible to save them all from death.” With these words she forced her angry brother back to the throne and he obediently submitted to her warning.
Apollo and Iris flew quickly down to the green summit of Ida, where Jupiter sat enveloped in dark clouds. Iris he sent with a stern message to Poseidon and his beloved son Apollo to Hector to strengthen him with his divine breath. “Then lead him into the battle once more,” said Jupiter, “and aid him thyself to drive the Achaians on board their ships. Take the terrible ægis in thy hand and shake it, that their hearts may quake.”
Iris delivered her message to the sea god and he answered it defiantly. “Powerful as he is, I call that tyrannical. To combat my will—mine, who am his equal! For are not he and Pluto and I brothers, and were not the upper and under worlds divided equally between us? We cast lots; air fell to him and water to me, but earth and sky are free to us all, and he shall not stop me here. Let him rule his consort and his sons and daughters. What care I for his threats or commands!”