The Boast of Ares

Ares said he would drag
   Hephestus by force
From Poseidon’s palace
   Deep down in the sea;
   Where he had fashioned
The cunning throne
   With the secret chains.

He presented the throne,
   Forsooth, as a gift
To the queen of heaven;
   But Hera soon found
   For revenge on her
Who had him cast
   From the home of Gods.

For secure in its clasp
Of adamant gold
She was held imprisoned,
The prey of his guile;
And Hephestus knew
By him alone
Could the queen be freed.

But the great God of war
   Made boast of his strength;
He would bring the forger
   Of metals and tricks
   On high to release
Hera, and end
   Her enraged despair.

Ares said he would drag
   Hephestus by force,
But was made to waver
   And flee when assailed
   With a blazing brand
By the dark God
   Of the underworld.