Dialogues of the Gods (11.2)

The heifer a god?

Indeed she will be. According to Hermes, she’ll have power over those at sea and be our mistress, choosing for herself which of us to send out or to stop from blowing.

In that case we’d better be attentive to her, if she’s now our mistress. Then we’ll be sure of her good-will.

But look, she’s over now, and has swum ashore. See how she no longer walks on all fours, but has been straightened up by Hermes and changed back again into a most attractive woman.

How very strange, Zephyrus. No horns now, or tail or cloven hooves, but instead a lovely girl. But what’s come over Hermes, that he’s changed himself and given up his own fine face for that of a dog [*] ?

Let’s not be inquisitive. He knows his business better than we do.