2
Panope
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.’
Galene
Yes, and the Goddesses, Panope?
Panope
They are going to Ida to-day, I believe; we shall soon have news of the result.
Galene
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, there is such a pretty girl coming to Lerna for water every day; I don’t know that I ever saw a prettier.
Posidon
What is she, a lady? or a mere water-carrier?
Triton
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.
Posidon
And does she come all that way by herself, from Argos to Lerna?
Triton
Yes; and Argos, you know, is a thirsty place; she is always having to get water.
Posidon
Triton, this is most exciting. We must go and see her.
Triton
Very well. It is just her time now; I reckon she will be about half-way to Lerna.
