Dialogues of the Gods (9.5-10.1)

But I’ll be mistaken for the cloud and so be put to shame, because we can’t be told apart.

What nonsense! The cloud could never become Hera or you a cloud. Ixion will be deceived, that’s all.

But humans are all so ill-bred. Perhaps he’ll start boasting down on earth, telling his story to everyone and claiming that he’s been keeping company with Hera, and sharing Zeus’ bed; perhaps he may even say I’m in love with him, and they’ll believe him, not knowing he was with a cloud.

Very well, if he says anything bike that, he’ll be thrown down to Hades and tied to a wheel—he won’t like that a bit—and carried round and round with the wheel for ever, and suffer torment without end, not as a punishment for his love—for that’s no crime—but for boasting.

Come now, Ganymede. We’ve got there, so you can give me a kiss right away, and you’ll know I’ve

Mister man, weren’t you an eagle just now? Didn’t you swoop down, and carry me away from the middle of my flock? How, then, have your feathers moulted? You look quite different now.

It’s no man you see here, my lad, nor eagle either. No, I’m the king of all the gods, but I’ve changed my shape for the moment.

What’s that? Are you Pan himself? How is it, then, you’ve no pipe or horns or shaggy legs?

Is he your only god?

Yes, and we sacrifice one of our best billies to him, taking it to the cave where he has his statue. But you’re just a kidnapper, if you ask me.