GANYMEDE

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

ZEUS

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

GANYMEDE

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

ZEUS

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.

GANYMEDE

Is that nicer than milk, Zeus?

ZEUS

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

GANYMEDE

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

ZEUS

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

GANYMEDE

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

ZEUS

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

GANYMEDE

But how will you sleep better because of my beauty?

ZEUS

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

GANYMEDE

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.

ZEUS

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

GANYMEDE

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

ZEUS

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.