Dialogi Marini

Proteus The polypus, having selected his rock, and attached himself by means of his suckers, assimilates himself to it, changing his colour to match that of the rock. By this means he

Menelaus So I have heard. But yours is quite another matter, Proteus.

Proteus I don’t know what evidence would satisfy you, if you reject that of your own eyes.

Menelaus I have seen it done, but it is an extraordinary business; fire and water, one and the same person!

Panope Galene, did you see what Eris did yesterday at the Thessalian banquet, because she had not had an invitation?

Galene No, I was not with you; Posidon had told me to keep the sea quiet for the occasion. What did Eris do, then, if she was not there?

Panope Thetis and Peleus had just gone off to the bridal chamber, conducted by Amphitrite and Posidon, when Eris came in unnoticed—which was easy enough; some were drinking, some dancing, or attending to Apollo’s lyre or the Muses’ songs—well, she threw down a lovely apple, solid gold, my dear; and there was written on it, FOR THE FAIR. It rolled along as if it knew what it was about, till it came in front of Hera, Aphrodite, and Athene. 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.