The Ultimate God in Charge

As Dawn awoke, and draped her saffron gown
around the world, Zeus, whose play is thunder,
summoned the gods to plenary convocation
on cloudy Mt. Olympus’ highest peak.
He took the floor; the others sat up straight and gave
their undivided awe: “Gods and goddesses, hear:
I mean to say exactly what I mean.
I want no god of the female sex—and no male either—
trying to tangle up what I intend, but all
approve it with one voice: I need
to swiftly make this business history.—
And any god I do catch out of line,
sneaking down to make things easier
for either side, whether the Greeks or Trojans, be warned—
he’ll run back home to Olympus black and blue!
Or else I’ll grab him and toss him down the hole
of Tartaros, far down, into the deepest, darkest
dungeon under ground, sealed up by iron
gates and brazen walls. It’s even deeper than Hades,
down as deep as Heaven towers Earth!
Then you’ll know who’s boss among the gods!
Just test me…come on, gods, see if I’m kidding.
Go get the golden rope and hang it down from sky;
then all you lad and lassie deities
at once together grab the end and tug—
think you’ll drag me down to Earth from Heaven,
me, Zeus, the ultimate god in charge?
You won’t, no matter how you huff and puff!
But wait until I decide to pull my end—
I’ll yank you all, with land and sea thrown in!
And then I’ll knot the rope around Olympus,
and let the whole production swing in air!
You’ll see—
gods and men together don’t equal Zeus!”

 [Iliad  8.1-27]