1. She left with grief in her heart, so troubled and inflamed,
Her radiant body almost clothed in blackened robes of rage and sorrow.

2. Like the wind she rushed forth, flying like Iris
Pushed away from the blows of clubs by Eris.

3. Then Ares, warrior of the people, Iris concealed him
With spear and horses, piles of clouds.

4. She bent on her knees seeking a steed
With golden reins to flee her deep pain.

5. She said “Brother, lend me your horses to take me
To the land of immortality, for this wound has crippled me”.

6. The son of a human struck me, brother to Cacus,
His spirit unbent, until I was toppled back.

7. He said “I place my horses and chariot before you
That carried her away, her heart so heavily burdened”.

8. Eris held the reins of the horses in her hand
Driving them on as she outran old age itself.

9. Until she reached the heights of Olympus
She halted the horses and freed them of their harness.

10. Empowered with immortality she raced forth
To her mother, Cyprus, grieving and bent over.

11. Dione embraced her, drawing her to her breast
Perplexed, probing the matter in wonder.

12. “What god has wronged you, as if you were the offender?
What foolish one has cast you down like this?”

13. She said, “No exalted god, but a mortal man,
Thetis’ son, ceaseless in his rages.”

14. “For I tried to save Aeneas, most cherished of those
Dear to me in this world of lineage.”

15. “The Danaans did not stop till they turned back
To us, grey haired and white headed.”

16. Dione said “Patience, how many examples we have
Of mortals testing the immortals with sorrow.”

17. “Ares is a model for you, and his dignity
As he endured a year and month in chains, unyielding.”

18. “Otus and Ephialtes, the sons of Aloeus confined him
In shackles of iron, but found no weakening or outcry.”

19. “He would have perished had not Maia’s son Hermes
Kept him safe, shrouded in clouds.”

20. “And Hera, struck by Eurytus, Apollo’s son
With the evil of an arrow, high on her breast.”

21. “Achilles’ death at Paris’ hands bequeathed him
Hatred, and he was driven back on his heels.”

22. “He advanced towards the palace of Zeus, my father
Wretchedly, an arrow fixed in his shoulder.”

23. “But Paion healed him, as one who has been
Deathless and eternal through the ages.”

24. “Oh what woe for humankind if they war
Against immortals in ignorance or rage!”

25. “The people have provoked you against Diomedes, though he knows not
The consequence of the work of his hands.”

26. “He does not realize that one who wrongs the gods
Will not return whole to his homeland.”

27. “No child will cling to his knees, sweetly saying
‘Father, answer me’, he will have no comfort.”

28. “Rather, he should fear the might of my brother Ares
More powerful and pitiless in his pursuit.”

29. “Let him reflect on the lovely narrow ankles
Of his wife, so graceful and noble.”

30. “Dreams will torment her, disturbing her rest
So she wakes afraid, her heart pounding.”

31. “Then desperately she will rouse her handmaidens
And they will weep with overflowing tears.”

32. “She cleansed the wound with her hands and so eased
Her pain as the heaviness of sorrow receded.”

33. “But Athena and Hera since they purposefully
Provoke Zeus’ anger, consumed by arrogance,”

34. Athena said “Father, does it displease you
If I speak of how this wound came to be?”

35. “Surely Cypris tried to stop a wanton woman
And the obstinate youth of Troy, hot blooded.”

36. “Her hand was caught in the ties of her dress
So she invented lies like a swarm of bees.”

37. Zeus smiled and called the wounded to him gently,
“My demise, accept what fate decrees.”

38. “Leave Ares and Athena to their wars, do not
Trouble yourself, enjoy only love and pleasure.”