Page:Statius (Mozley 1928) v1.djvu/511

but now her innocent race—” no longer could the Lord of war endure her tears, but changed his spear to his left hand, and in a moment leapt from the lofty ear, and clasping her to his shield hurt her in his embrace, and with loving words thus soothes her: “O thou who art my repose from battle, my sacred joy and all the peace my heart doth know: thou who alone of gods and men canst face my arms unpunished, and check even in mid-slaughter my neighing steeds, and tear this sword from my right hand! neither the marriage-bond of Sidonian Cadmus have I forgotten, nor thy dear loyalty—rejoice not in false accusing!—may I be rather plunged, god though I be, in my uncle’s infernal lakes, and be hunted weaponless to the pale shades! But now ’tis the Fates’ behests and the high Father’s purpose I am bid perform—no fit choice were Vulcan’s arm for such an errand!—and how can I dare face Jove or go about to spurn his spoken decree, Jove, at whose word—such power is his!—I saw of late earth and sky and ocean tremble, and mighty gods, one and all, seek hiding? But, dear one, let not thy heart be sore afraid, I pray thee—these things no power can change; and when soon beneath the Tyrian walls both races are making war, I will be present and help our kindred arms. Then with happier mien shalt thou behold me descending in fury upon the Argive fortunes far and wide over the bloody plain; this is my right, nor do the fates forbid it.” So speaking, he drove on through the open air his flaming steeds. No swifter falls upon the earth the anger of Jove, whene’er he stands on snowy Othrys or the cold peak of northern Ossa, and plucks a weapon from the cloud; fast flies the