Page:Hesiod, and Theognis.djvu/97
This page has been validated.
THE THEOGONY.
83
The Titan phalanx closed: then hands of strength
Joined prowess, and displayed the works of war.Tremendous then the immeasurable seaRoared: earth resounded: the wide heaven throughoutGroaned shattering: from its base Olympus vastReeled to the violence of the gods: the shockOf deep concussion rocked the dark abyssRemote of Tartarus: the shrilling dinOf hollow tramplings and strong battle-strokes,And measureless uproar of wild pursuit.So they reciprocal their weapons hurledGroan-scattering, and the shout of either hostBurst in exhorting ardour to the starsOf heaven: with mighty war-cries either hostEncountering closed."—E. 883-908.
Joined prowess, and displayed the works of war.Tremendous then the immeasurable seaRoared: earth resounded: the wide heaven throughoutGroaned shattering: from its base Olympus vastReeled to the violence of the gods: the shockOf deep concussion rocked the dark abyssRemote of Tartarus: the shrilling dinOf hollow tramplings and strong battle-strokes,And measureless uproar of wild pursuit.So they reciprocal their weapons hurledGroan-scattering, and the shout of either hostBurst in exhorting ardour to the starsOf heaven: with mighty war-cries either hostEncountering closed."—E. 883-908.
A pause at this point may be excused, seeing that it affords the opportunity of noting the contrast between the heathen and the Christian conceptions of divine strength. In Milton the Messiah has a super-abundance of might:—
"Yet half his strength he put not forth, but checkedHis thunder in mid volley, for he meantNot to destroy, but root them out of heaven."—Par. Lost, vi. 853-855.
In the conflict with the Titans, Zeus has to exert all his might to insure victory:—
"Nor longer then did ZeusCurb his full power, but instant in his soulThere grew dilated strength, and it was filledWith his omnipotence. At once he loosedHis whole of might, and put forth all the god.