Dialogi deorum
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.
Zeus Hermes, you know Inachus’s beautiful daughter?
Hermes I do. Io, you mean?
Zeus Yes; she is not a girl now, but a heifer.
Hermes Magic at work! how did that come about?
Zeus Hera had a jealous fit, and transformed her. But that is not all; she has thought of a new punishment for the poor thing. She has put a cowherd in charge, who is all over eyes; this Argus, as he is called, pastures the heifer, and never goes to sleep.
Hermes Well, what am I to do?
Zeus Fly down to Nemea, where the pasture is, kill Argus, take Io across the sea to Egypt, and convert her into Isis. She shall be henceforth an Egyptian Goddess, flood the Nile, regulate the winds, and rescue mariners,
Hera Zeus! What is your opinion of this man Ixion?
Zeus Why, my dear, I think he is a very good sort of man; and the best of company. Indeed, if he were unworthy of our company, he would not be here.
Hera He is unworthy! He is a villain! Discard him!
Zeus Eh? What has he been after? I must know about this.
Hera Certainly you must; though I scarce know how to tell you. The wretch!
Zeus Oh, oh; if he is a ‘wretch,’ you must certainly tell me all about it. I know what ‘wretch’ means, on your discreet tongue. What, he has been making love?