But Mars, for ever wont t' espouse the part36
of his dear Goddess, whatsoe'er the case;
or for old love that flicker'd in his heart,
or for the merits of her fighting race;
forth from the Gods upsprang with sudden start:
Stern melancholy markt his gest and face;
the pond'erous pavoise from his gorget hung
behind his shoulders full of wrath he flung:
His beavoir'd helmet of the diamant stone37
opeing a little, of his strength right sure,
his sense to speak he strode and stood alone
Jupiter facing, armèd, dour and dure:
Then with hard pen'etrant blow he bore adown
his steely spear-heel on the pavement pure;
quaked the welkin; and Apollo's ray
waxt somewhat wan as though by cold dismay.
And thus:—"Omnipo'tent Sire ! whose awful reign38
perforce obeyeth all thy pow'er hath made;
if these, who seek a new half-world to gain,
whose deeds of brav'ery hast with love survey'd,
thou wouldst not guerdon with a shame and stain,
that erst were favoured through the years that fade
listen no longer thou, sole Judge direct,
to glozing reasons all we Gods suspect:
