3–4
Hermes
Homer tells us how the sons of AloeusSee Ofus in Neies. (they were but two, like ourselves) took it into their heads, when they were yet children, to drag up Ossa from its foundations, and plant it on the top of Olympus, and then Pelion on the top of all; they thought that would serve as a ladder for getting into heaven. The two boys were rightly punished for their presumption. But we have no design against the Gods: why should not we take the hint, and make an erection of mountains piled one on the top of another? From such a height we should get a better view.
Charon
What, shall we two be able to lift Pelion or Ossa?
Hermes
Why not? We are gods; I should hope we are as good as those two infants.
Charon
Yes; but I should never have thought we could do such a job as that.
Hermes
Ah, my dear Charon, you don’t understand these things; you have no imagination. To the lofty spirit of Homer this is simplicity itself. Just a couple of lines, and the mountains are in place;—we have only to walk up. I wonder you make such a marvel of this. You know Atlas, of course? He holds up the entire heaven by himself, Gods and all. And I dare say you have heard how my brother Heracles relieved him once, and took the burden on his own shoulders for a time?;
Charon
Yes, I have heard it. But you and the poets best know whether it is true.
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