Zeus Ordains Peace

40Then Athena thus addressed Cronian Zeus:
“Our Father, son of Cronus, king of kings,
Tell me, I pray, the purpose of your heart
Yet unrevealed. Shall there be cruel war
And deadly combats, or will you ordain
That these shall henceforth dwell in amity?”

41And cloud-compelling Zeus made answer thus:
“My child, why ask me? Was it not with you
A cherished purpose, that, returning home,
Odysseus amply should avenge himself
Upon the suitors? Do, then, as you will.
Yet this, as the most fitting, I advise.
Now that the great Odysseus has avenged
His wrongs, let there be made a faithful league
With oaths, and let Odysseus ever reign;
And we will cause the living to forget
Their sons and brothers slain, and all shall dwell
In friendship as they heretofore have dwelt,
And there shall be prosperity and peace.”