Book VII

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Before dawn next morning the Greeks set about building a wall and digging a trench on the side of their camp facing Troy, as Nestor had advised. They finished the work in one day, and a mighty work it was. The wall was strengthened with lofty towers, and the gates were so large that chariots could pass through. The trench was broad and deep, and on the outer edge it was defended by strong, sharp stakes. The gods, looking down from Olympus, admired these labors, but Neptune, much displeased, made bitter complaint to Jupiter:

"Now will the fame Of this their work go forth wherever shines The light of day, and men will quite forget The wall which once we built with toiling hands-- Phœbus Apollo and myself--around The city of renowned Laomedon."

BRYANT, _Iliad_,