Dialogi deorum

Hermes Now for Phrygia. I will show the way; keep close behind me, ladies, and don’t be nervous. I know Paris well: he is a charming young man; a great gallant, and an admirable judge of beauty. Depend on it, he will make a good award.

Aphrodite I am glad to hear that; I ask for nothing better than, a just judge.—Has he a wife, Hermes, or is he a bachelor?

Hermes Not exactly a bachelor.

Aphrodite What do you mean?

Hermes I believe there is a wife, as it were; a good enough sort of girl—a native of those parts—but sadly countrified! I fancy he does not care very much about her.—Why do you ask?

Aphrodite I just wanted to know.

Athene Now, Hermes, that is not fair. No whispering with Aphrodite.

Hermes It was nothing, Athene; nothing about you. She only asked me whether Paris was a bachelor.

Athene What business is that of hers?

Hermes None that I know of. She meant nothing by the question; she just wanted to know.

Athene Well, and is he?

Hermes Why, no.

Athene And does he care for military glory? has he ambition? or is he a mere neatherd?;

Hermes I couldn’t say for certain. But he is a young man, so it is to be presumed that distinction on the field of battle is among his desires.

Aphrodite There, you see; I don’t complain; I say nothing when you whisper with her. Aphrodite is not so particular as some people.

Hermes Athene asked me almost exactly the same as you did; so don’t be cross. It will do you no harm, my answering a plain question.—