nectar'd urn, Vulcan with awkward grace his office plies, And unextinguish'd laughter shakes the skies. Thus the blest gods the genial day prolong, In feasts ambrosial, and celestial song.(75) Apollo tuned the lyre; the Muses round With voice alternate aid the silver sound. Meantime the radiant sun to mortal sight Descending swift, roll'd down the rapid light: Then to their starry domes the gods depart, The shining monuments of Vulcan's art: Jove on his couch reclined his awful head, And Juno slumber'd on the golden bed. [Illustration: JUPITER.] JUPITER. [Illustration: THE APOTHEOSIS OF HOMER.] THE APOTHEOSIS OF HOMER. BOOK II. ARGUMENT. THE TRIAL OF THE ARMY, AND CATALOGUE OF THE FORCES. Jupiter, in pursuance of the request of Thetis, sends a deceitful vision to Agamemnon, persuading him to lead the army to battle, in order to make the Greeks sens