Dialogues of the Gods (10.4-10.5)

But how could I possibly be any use to you? Will I have to look after a flock here too?

No, you’ll pour wine, and be in charge of the nectar, looking after us at table.

That’s quite simple. I know how to pour milk, and hand round the milk bowl.

There he goes again. Keeps harping on his milk! Think’s he’ll be waiting on men! This is heaven, let me tell you, and, as I said just now, our drink is nectar.

Is that nicer than milk, Zeus?

You’ll know very soon, and once you’ve tasted it, you won’t miss your milk any more.

Where shall I sleep at night? With Eros, my playmate?

No, that’s why I carried you off up here; I wanted us to sleep together.

Can’t you sleep alone? Will you prefer sleeping with me?

Yes, when it’s with a beautiful boy like you.

But how will you sleep better because of my beauty?

It’s sweet and soothing, and brings softer sleep.

But Daddy would get annoyed with me when I slept with him, and kept telling us first thing in the morning how he couldn’t sleep for me tossing and turning, kicking out and talking in my sleep; so he usually sent me to sleep with mummy. So, if that’s why you brought me up here, as you say it is, the sooner you put me back down on earth again, the better, or you’ll have a terrible time with sleepless nights. For I’ll be an awful nuisance to you, tossing and turning all night long.

That’s just what I’ll like best—staying awake with you, kissing and hugging you again and again.

You can find out by yourself. I’ll go to sleep and leave the kissing to you.

We’ll find out how to manage, when the time comes. Take him off now, Hermes, and let him have a draught of immortality, and when you’ve shown him how to offer the cup, bring him back to serve our wine.