Hit away, Hephaestus. Don’t be afraid; I know what’s good for me.

All right, here goes. How can I help it, when it’s your orders? Hullo, what’s this? A girl in armour? Athena. See previous dialogue. That was no small trouble you had in your head. No wonder you were short-tempered, breeding a big girl like that in your brain—and her with armour into the bargain. It wasn’t a head you had but a barracks, though we didn’t know it. She’s leaping up and down in a war-dance, shaking her shield and poising her spear, full of the spirit of battle; and, most wonderful of all, see how good-looking and grown-up she’s become in this short time; she’s got grey eyes, but they go very well with her helmet. So, Zeus, pay me for my services as midwife, by betrothing her to me this minute.

That’s impossible. She’ll want to remain single for ever, though for my part I’ve no objection to your request.

That’s all I wanted to hear. Leave the rest to me. I’ll be off with her right away.

Do so, if you can manage it, but I know that what you want is impossible.