Zeus the Tragedian (33)

But who is this hasty - comer-bronze, wellformed, with a good outline and an obsolete coiffure? It must be your brother, Hermes, the one that stands in the market-place near the Porch. At all events, his hollows are full of pitch from having impressions of him taken daily by the statuaries. Why, my child, do you come to us at racing speed? Have you, perhaps, some fresh news from earth?

Great news, Zeus, and calling for the greatest attention.

Speak, then, if some new trouble has arisen unknown to us.

Drop the iambics, there's a good fellow. I know whom you mean. But tell me this, whether they have already joined battle.

Not yet. They were still skirmishing and attacking each other from afar with the javelins of abuse.

What is there left for us to do now, deities, but bend down and listen to them? So let the Hours draw the bolt immediately and chase away the clouds and throw open the gates of heaven.