Lucian Juppiter Tragoedus 2

HERA

Do you suppose we don’t know the reason of your. anguish?

ZEUS

You know not: otherwise you ‘Id shriek and

scream. ¹

HERA

I know that the sum and substance of your troubles is a love-affair; I don’t shriek and scream, though, because I am used to it, as you have already affronted me many a time in this way. It is likely that you have found another Danae or Semele or Europa and are plagued by love, and that you are thinking of turning into a bull or a satyr or a shower of gold, to fall down through the roof into the lap of your sweetheart, for these symptoms—groans and_tears and paleness—belong to nothing but love.

ZEUS

You simple creature, to think that our circumstances permit of love-making and such pastimes!

HERA

Well, if that isn’t it, what else is plaguing you? Aren’t you Zeus?

Heracles

Do you suppose we do not know how to account for your annoyance?

Zeus

Thou knowst not; else thy wailings had been loud.

Heracles

Don’t tell me; it’s a love affair; that’s what’s the matter with you. However, you won’t have any ‘wailings’ from me; I am too much hardened to neglect, I suppose you have discovered some new Danae or Semele or Europa whose charms are troubling you; and so you are meditating a transformation into a bull or satyr, or a descent through the roof into your beloved’s bosom as a shower of gold; all the symptoms—your groans and your tears and your white face—point to love and nothing else.

Zeus

Happy ignorance, that sees not what perils now forbid love and such toys!

Heracles

Is your name Zeus, or not? and, if so, what else can possibly annoy you but love?

Hera

Do you imagine that I don't know the cause of your distress?

Zeus

"Thou dost not know, els hadst thou shrieked aloud."

Hera

I know that the sum and substance of your trouble comes from love-making. Of course, I do not shriek, for I am used to this insulting treatment at your hands. Undoubtedly you have come upon some Danae or Semele or Europa again, and are attacked with love, and so you are scheming to become a bull or a satyr, or to pour down as a shower of golden rain through the roof into your lady-love's lap. These groans, these tears, this pallor are symptoms of the lover and nobody else.