1 24 On (he Machinery of the 



as if forgetful of his promise to Thetis, is bullied 

 by Juno to disgrace the cause of Troy and 

 awake the vengeance of the irritated Greeks. 

 To effect this purpose, he gives the sanction 

 of his godhead to an act of the most dishonour- 

 able treachery, he sends Minerva, the goddess 

 of wisdom, on this base errand, to incite some 

 Trojan chief, in the security of the truce, to 

 aim a deadly arrow at the breast of Agamem- 

 non. The war is re-kindled in all its furv, 

 and falls heavy on the Trojans, who, unpro- 

 tected by Jupiter, are exposed to all the malice 

 of Juno and Minerva. After great irresolution 

 and inequality of conduct through several 

 books of the Iliad, Jupiter seems to recollect 

 his promise, and by his direct and indirect in- 

 terference, the tide of victory runs strong in 

 favour of the Trojans, and the Grecian army 

 and fleet are brought into the most imminent 

 danger of destruction. From this desperate 

 situation the Greeks are rescued by the arts of 

 Juno. Knowing the weak side of her husband, 

 and that the allurements of beauty are irresisti- 

 ble to him, she summons every charm in aid to 

 her person ; by flattery and lies she obtains of 

 Venus that coestus, to which a thousand graces 

 are attached, and, thus attired, she seduces 

 Jupiter to the idle dalliantcs of love, and di- 

 verting his attention from the Trojan plains, 



3 



