Dialogues of the Sea-gods: (5.2-7.1)

Panope Thetis and Peleus had just gone off to the bridal chamber, conducted by Amphitrite and Posidon, when Eris came in unnoticed—which was easy enough; some were drinking, some dancing, or attending to Apollo’s lyre or the Muses’ songs—well, she threw down a lovely apple, solid gold, my dear; and there was written on it, FOR THE FAIR. It rolled along as if it knew what it was about, till it came in front of Hera, Aphrodite, and Athene. Hermes picked it up and read out the inscription; of course we Nereids kept quiet; what should we do in such company? But they all made for it, each insisting that it was hers; and if Zeus had not parted them, there would have been a battle. He would not decide the matter himself, though they asked him to. ‘Go, all of you, to Ida,’ he said, ‘to the son of Priam; he is a man of taste, quite capable of picking out the beauty; he will be no bad judge.’

Galene Yes, and the Goddesses, Panope?

Panope They are going to Ida to-day, I believe; we shall soon have news of the result.

Galene Oh, I can tell you that now; if the umpire is not a blind man, no one else can win, with Aphrodite in for it.

Triton Posidon, there is such a pretty girl coming to Lerna for water every day; I don’t know that I ever saw a prettier.

Posidon What is she, a lady? or a mere water-carrier?

Triton Oh no; she is one of the fifty daughters of that Egyptian king. Her name is Amymone; I asked about that and her family. Danaus understands discipline; he is bringing them up to do everything for themselves; they have to fetch water, and make themselves generally useful.

Posidon And does she come all that way by herself, from Argos to Lerna?

Triton Yes; and Argos, you know, is a thirsty place; she is always having to get water.

Posidon Triton, this is most exciting. We must go and see her.

Triton Very well. It is just her time now; I reckon she will be about half-way to Lerna.

Posidon Bring out the chariot, then. Or no; it takes such a time getting it ready, and putting the horses to. Just fetch me out a good fast dolphin; that will be quickest.

Triton Here is a racer for you.

Posidon Good; now let us be off. You swim alongside.—Here we are at Lerna. I'll lie in ambush hereabouts; and you keep a look-out. When you see her coming—

Triton Here she comes.

Posidon A charming child; the dawn of loveliness. We must carry her off.

Amymone Villain! where are you taking me to? You area kidnapper. I know who sent you—my uncle Aegyptus. I shall call my father.

Triton Hush, Amymone; it is Posidon.

Amymone Posidon? What do you mean? Unhand me, villain! would you drag me into the sea? Help, help, I shall sink and be drowned.

Posidon Don’t be frightened; no harm shall be done to you. Come, you shall have a fountain called after you; it shall spring up in this very place, near the waves; I will strike the rock with my trident.—Think how nice it will be being dead, and not having to carry water any more, like all your sisters.

South Wind Zephyr, is it true about Zeus and the heifer that Hermes is convoying across the sea to Egypt?—that he fell in love with it?

West Wind Certainly. She was not a heifer then, though, but a daughter of the river Inachus. Hera made her what she is now; Zeus was so deep in love that Hera was jealous.

South Wind And is he still in love, now that she is a cow?

West Wind Oh, yes; that is why he has sent her to Egypt, and told us not to stir up the sea till she has swum across; she is to be delivered there of her child, and both of them are to be Gods.