see； if you will； that I am in no mind to disgrace your family。〃
Laertes was delighted when he heard this。 〃Good heavens； he
exclaimed； 〃what a day I am enjoying： I do indeed rejoice at it。 My
son and grandson are vying with one another in the matter of valour。〃
On this Minerva came close up to him and said； 〃Son of Arceisius…
best friend I have in the world… pray to the blue…eyed damsel； and
to Jove her father； then poise your spear and hurl it。〃
As she spoke she infused fresh vigour into him； and when he had
prayed to her he poised his spear and hurled it。 He hit Eupeithes'
helmet； and the spear went right through it； for the helmet stayed
it not； and his armour rang rattling round him as he fell heavily to
the ground。 Meantime Ulysses and his son fell the front line of the
foe and smote them with their swords and spears； indeed； they would
have killed every one of them； and prevented them from ever getting
home again； only Minerva raised her voice aloud； and made every one
pause。 〃Men of Ithaca；〃 she cried； cease this dreadful war； and settle
the matter at once without further bloodshed。〃
On this pale fear seized every one； they were so frightened that
their arms dropped from their hands and fell upon the ground at the
sound of the goddess's voice； and they fled back to the city for their
lives。 But Ulysses gave a great cry； and gathering himself together
swooped down like a soaring eagle。 Then the son of Saturn sent a
thunderbolt of fire that fell just in front of Minerva； so she said to
Ulysses； 〃Ulysses； noble son of Laertes； stop this warful strife； or
Jove will be angry with you。〃
Thus spoke Minerva； and Ulysses obeyed her gladly。 Then Minerva
assumed the form and voice of Mentor； and presently made a covenant of
peace between the two contending parties。
…THE END…
XFIR驗MZ�