1
HEPHAESTUS
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.
ZEUS
That’s impossible. She’ll want to remain single for ever, though for my part I’ve no objection to your request.
HEPHAESTUS
That’s all I wanted to hear. Leave the rest to me. I’ll be off with her right away.
ZEUS
Do so, if you can manage it, but I know that what you want is impossible.
10
HERMES
Zeus says you’re not to go out driving today, Mr. Sun-god, or tomorrow or the next day. You’ve to stay at home, and all that time’s to be one long night; so the Hours The goddesses of the seasons and doorkeepers of heaven (Iliad, 5, 749 and 8, 393; Zeus Rants 33, On Sacrifices 8. Cf. also Ovid, Met. 2, 118). can unyoke your horses, and you can put out your fire and have a nice long rest.
