"Father of victory! whose mighty powers,
And brazen spears, protect Olympus' towers;
By whom the brave to high renown are led,
Whom justice honours, and whom tyrants dread.
Hail! friend to man! whose cares to youth, impart
The arm unwearied, and the undaunted heart!"
Horace.
During the Trojan war, Mars interested himself on the side of the Trojans; but while he defended these favourites of Venus with great activity, he was wounded by Diomedes, and hastily retreated to Heaven, complaining to Jupiter that Minerva had directed the unerring weapon of his antagonist.
"Wild with his pain, he sought the bright abodes,
There, sullen, sate beneath the sire of gods,