VI
Triton
.
Posidon
.
Amymone
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.
Posidon
And does she come all that way by herself, from Argos to Lerna?
Triton
Yes; and Argos, you know, is a thirsty place; she is always having to get water.
Posidon
Triton, this is most exciting. We must go and see her.
Triton
Very well. It is just her time now; I reckon she will be about half-way to Lerna.
Posidon
Bring out the chariot, then. Or no; it takes such a time getting it ready, and putting the horses to. Just fetch me out a good fast dolphin; that will be quickest.
Triton
Here is a racer for you.
Posidon
Good; now let us be off. You swim alongside.—Here we are at Lerna. I'll lie in ambush hereabouts; and you keep a look-out. When you see her coming—
Triton
Here she comes.
Posidon
A charming child; the dawn of loveliness. We must carry her off.
Amymone
Villain! where are you taking me to? You area kidnapper. I know who sent you—my uncle Aegyptus. I shall call my father.
Triton
Hush, Amymone; it is Posidon.
Amymone
Posidon? What do you mean? Unhand me, villain! would you drag me into the sea? Help, help, I shall sink and be drowned.
Posidon
Don’t be frightened; no harm shall be done to you. Come, you shall have a fountain called after you; it shall spring up in this very place, near the waves; I will strike the rock with my trident.—Think how nice it will be being dead, and not having to carry water any more, like all your sisters.
Dialogi Marini. Lucian. Henry Watson Fowler (Translator), Francis George Fowler (Translator). Medford, MA, USA. 2023-08-01.
Sponsored by Tufts University.
Funding provided by National Endowment for the Humanities.