The Argonautica

bow and all. Such was the threat that he made in his anger:

if I did not keep both hands far off while he mastered his temper,

later I alone would have only myself to reproach.

So she spoke; the goddesses smiled and looked at each other.

Then, still aggrieved in her heart, she began once again:

Other people can laugh at the grief that is mine; I should never

tell it to everyone. I know it too well for myself.

Since this affair is now dear to you both alike,

I'll make the attempt, and coax him; he will surely obey me.

Hera took Cypris' slender hand as the goddess was speaking,

and smiling softly, drew close to her side and spoke:

Cytherea, then, carry through this need as you promise;

act at once; do not grow angry, do not start quarreling

in rage with your own son; later he surely will change.

She spoke and left her seat; Athena followed beside her.

Both of them went from the house and turned on the homeward path.

Cypris descended through Olympus' folds in search of her boy.

There she found him apart in the flowering orchard of Zeus,

not alone, but with Ganymede, whom Zeus long ago

settled in heaven, there to live at the hearth of immortals,

drawn by his beauty. The two played with golden knucklebones,

as boys of one household commonly play with each other.

Already his palm was completely full beneath his breast:

greedy Eros held the hoard in his left hand, standing upright.