3–4
ZEUS
How simple the child is, how innocent he is! Still just a child, that’s what he is. Look here, Ganymede, you can say good-bye to all those things and forget all about them—about your flock and about Ida. You’re one of heaven’s company now, and can do a lot of good to your father and country from here. Instead of your cheese and milk, you’ll have ambrosia to eat and nectar to drink, only you’ll have to serve the nectar to the rest of us too with your own fair hand. And most important of all, you won’t be human any more, but immortal, and I’ll make your own star—the prettiest one shining in the sky—and you’ll enjoy perfect happiness.
GANYMEDE
But what if I want to play? Who will play with me? There were a lot of us who were of my age on Ida.
ZEUS
You have someone to play with here too—there’s Eros over there—and lots and lots of knucklebones Cf. Apollonius Rhodius, 3, 114 ff. as well. Only you must cheer up and be a bit more pleased with life, and stop longing for things below.
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?
5
ZEUS
You’ll know very soon, and once you’ve tasted it, you won’t miss your milk any more.
