5–6
Hermagoras
It cannot bekept quiet, Zeus; the philosophers’ debate is public, and you will be accused of despotic methods, if you maintain reserve on a matter of so great and general interest.
Zeus
Make proclamation and summon all, then. I approve your judgement.
Hermagoras
Here, assemble, all ye Gods; don’t waste time, come along, here you are; we are going to have an important meeting.
Zeus
What, Hermes? so bald, so plain, so prosy an announcement—on this momentous occasion?
Hermagoras
Why, how would you like it done?
Zeus
Some metre, a little poetic sonority, would make the style impressive, and they would be more likely to come.
5
Hermagoras
Ah, Zeus, that is work for epic poets or reciters, and I am no good at poetry. I should be sure to put in too many feet, or leave out some, and spoil the thing; they would only laugh at my rude verses. Why, I’ve known Apollo himself laughed at for some of his oracles;_ and prophecy has the advantage of obscurity, which gives the hearers something better to do than scanning verses.
Zeus
Well, well, Hermes, you can make lines from Homer the chief ingredient of your composition; summon us in his words; you remember them, of course.
Hermagoras
I cannot say they are exactly on the tip of my tongue; however, I’ll do my best: Let ne’er a God (tum, tum), nor eke a Goddess, Nor yet of Ocean’s rivers one be wanting. Nor nymphs; but gather to great Zeus’s council; And all that feast on glorious hecatombs Yea, middle and lower classes of Divinity, Or nameless ones that snuff fat altar-fumes.
