HERA But I’ll be mistaken for the cloud and so be put to shame, because we can’t be told apart. ZEUS What nonsense! The cloud could never become Hera or you a cloud. Ixion will be deceived, that’s all. HERA 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. ZEUS 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. Zeus and Ganymede ZEUS Come now, Ganymede. We’ve got there, so you can give me a kiss right away, and you’ll know I’ve no crooked beak now, or sharp claws or wings, as you thought when you took me for a bird. GANYMEDE 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. ZEUS 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. GANYMEDE What’s that? Are you Pan himself? How is it, then, you’ve no pipe or horns or shaggy legs? ZEUS Is he your only god? GANYMEDE 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.