wishing to destroy the well-inhabited city. Already have nine
years of mighty Jove passed away, and now the timbers of our ships have
rotted, and the ropes have become untwisted.[87] Our wives and infant
children sit in our dwellings expecting us; but to us the work for which
we came hither remains unaccomplished, contrary to expectation. But
come, as I shall recommend, let us all obey; let us fly with the ships
to our dear native land, for at no future time shall we take wide-wayed
Troy."

[Footnote 85: [Greek: Orkia] is probably used as an adjective,
understanding [Greek: iereia], the victims that were slain in
order to ratify the oath. See however Buttm. Lexil. p. 439.]

[Footnote 86: The Greeks doubled the Trojans in number. See
Anthon.]

[Footnote 87: Observe the change of construction in [Greek:
leluntai] with the neuter plural. Apollon. de Syntaxi, iii. 11.
[Greek: Ta sparta leluntai katalleloteron tou doura sesepe].]

Thus he spoke; and to them he aroused the heart in their breasts, to all
throughout the multitude, whoever had not heard his scheme.[88] And the
assembly was moved, as the great waves of the Icarian Sea, which,
indeed, both the south-east wind and the south are wont to raise,[89]
rushing from the clouds of father Jove. And as when the west wind[90]
agitates the thick-standing corn, rushing down upon it impetuous, and it
[the crop] bends with its ears; so was all the assembly agitated. Some
with shouting rushed to the ships, but from beneath their feet the dust
stood suspended aloft; and some exhorted one another to seize the
vessels, and drag them to the great ocean; and they began to clear the
channels. The shout of them, eager [to return] home, rose to the sky,
and they withdrew the stays from beneath the vessels. Then truly a
return had happened to the Argives, contrary to destiny, had not Juno
addressed herself to Minerva:

[Footnote 88: _I. e._ his real object. Cf. vs. 75, sqq.]

[Footnote 89: Spitzner and the later editors unite in reading
[Greek: kinese] for [Greek: kinesei] from the Venice MS. See
Arnold.]

[Footnote 90:

----"As thick as when a field
Of Ceres, ripe for harvest, waving bends
Her bearded grove of ears, which way the wind
Sways them."--Paradise Lost, iv. 980.]

"Alas! indomitable daughter of aegis-bearing Jove, thus now shall the
Argives fly home to their dear native la