Part 27

THE END OF THE THIRTEENTH BOOK.

[1] The empire of Jove exceeded Neptune’s (saith Plut. upon this place) because he was more ancient, and excellent in knowledge and wisdom; and upon this verse, viz. ἀλλὰ Ζεὺς πρότερος, etc., sets down this his most worthy to be noted opinion: viz. I think also that the blessedness of eternal life, which God enjoys is this: that by any past time He forgets not notions presently apprehended; for otherwise, the knowledge and understanding of things taken away, immortality should not be life, but time, etc. (Plut. de Iside et Osiride).

THE FOURTEENTH BOOK OF HOMER’S ILIADS

THE ARGUMENT

Atrides, to behold the skirmish, brings Old Nestor, and the other wounded kings. Juno (receiving of the Cyprian dame Her Ceston, whence her sweet enticements came) Descends to Somnus, and gets him to bind The pow’rs of Jove with sleep, to free her mind. Neptune assists the Greeks, and of the foe Slaughter inflicts a mighty overthrow. Ajax so sore strikes Hector with a stone, It makes him spit blood, and his sense sets gone.

ANOTHER ARGUMENT

In Ξ with sleep, and bed, heav’n’s Queen Ev’n Jove himself makes overseen.