Dialogi Marini
Lucian of Samosata
The Works of Lucian of Samosata, complete, with exceptions specified in thepreface, Vol. 1. Fowler, H. W. and Fowlere, F.G., translators. Oxford at the Clarendon Press, 1905.
Triton Well, ladies: so the monster you sent against the daughter of Cepheus has got killed himself, and never done Andromeda any harm at all!”
Nereid Who did it? I suppose Cepheus was just using his daughter as a bait, and had a whole army waiting in ambush to kill him?
Triton No, no.—Iphianassa, you remember Perseus, Danae’s boy?—they were both thrown into the sea by the boy’s grandfather, in that chest, you know, and you took pity on them.
Iphianassa I know; why, I suppose he is a fine handsome young fellow by now?
Triton It was he who killed your monster.
Iphianassa But why? This was not the way to show his gratitude.
Triton I'll tell you all about it. The king had sent him on this expedition against the Gorgons, and when he got to Libya—
Iphianassa How did he get there? all by himself? he must have had some one to help him?—it is a dangerous journey otherwise.
Triton He flew,—Athene gave him wings.—Well, so when he got to where the Gorgons were living, he caught them napping, I suppose, cut off Medusa’s head, and flew away.
Iphianassa How could he see them? The Gorgons are a forbidden sight. Whoever looks at them will never look at any one else again.
Triton Athene held up her shield—I heard him telling Andromeda