V
_Panope. Galene_
_Pa_. Galene, did you see what Eris did yesterday at the Thessalian
banquet, because she had not had an invitation?
_Ga_, No, I was not with you; Posidon had told me to keep the sea quiet
for the occasion. What did Eris do, then, if she was not there?
_Pa_. Thetis and Peleus had just gone off to the bridal chamber,
conducted by Amphitrite and Posidon, when Eris came in unnoticed—which
was easy enough; some were drinking, some dancing, or attending to
Apollo's lyre or the Muses' songs—Well, she threw down a lovely apple,
solid gold, my dear; and there was written on it, FOR THE FAIR. It
rolled along as if it knew what it was about, till it came in front of
Hera, Aphrodite, and Athene. Hermes picked it up and read out the
inscription; of course we Nereids kept quiet; what should _we_ do in
such company? But they all made for it, each insisting that it was
hers; and if Zeus had not parted them, there would have been a battle.
He would not decide the matter himself, though they asked him to. 'Go,
all of you, to Ida,' he said, 'to the son of Priam; he is a man of
taste, quite capable of picking out the beauty; he will be no bad
judge.'
_Ga_. Yes. and the Goddesses, Panope?
_Pa_. They are going to Ida to-day, I believe; we shall soon have news
of the result.
_Ga_. Oh, I can tell you that now; if the umpire is not a blind man, no
one else can win, with Aphrodite in for it.
_Triton. Posidon. Amymone_
_Tri_. Posidon, there is such a pretty girl coming to Lerna for water
every day; I don't know that I ever saw a prettier.
_Pos_. What is she, a lady? or a mere water-carrier?
_Tri_. Oh no; she is one of the fifty daughters of that Egyptian king.
Her name is Amymone; I asked about that and her family. Danaus
understands discipline; he is bringing them up to do everything for
themselves; they have to fetch water, and make themselves generally
useful.
_Pos_. And does she come all that way by herself, from Argos to Lerna?
_Tri_. Yes; and Argos, you know, is a thirsty place; she is always
having to get water.
_Pos_. Triton, this is most exciting. We must go and see her.
_Tri_. Very well. It is just her time now; I reckon she will be about
half-way to Lerna.
_Pos_. Bring out the chariot, then. Or no; it takes such a time getting
it ready, and putting the horses to. Just fetch me out a good fast
dolphin; that will be quickest.
_Tri_. Here is a racer for you.
_Pos_. Good; now let us be off. You swim alongside.—Here we are at
Lerna. I'll lie in ambush hereabouts; and you keep a look-out. When you
see her coming—
_Tri_. Here she comes.
_Pos_. A charming child; the dawn of loveliness. We must carry her off.
_Am_. Villain! where are you taking me to? You are a kidnapper. I know
who sent you—my uncle Aegyptus. I shall call my father.
_Tri_. Hush, Amymone; it is Posidon.
_Am_. Posidon? What do you mean? Unhand me, villain! would you drag me
into the sea? Help, help, I shall sink and be drowned.
_Pos_. Don't be frightened; no harm shall be done to you. Come, you
shall have a fountain called after you; it shall spring up in this very
place, near the waves; I will strike the rock with my trident.—Think
how nice it will be being dead, and not having to carry water any more,
like all your sisters.