PART II.
‘Others say it was only a cloud.’
A Mortal Among the Gods.
MERCURY and Ganymede were each lolling on an opposite couch in the antechamber of Olympus.
‘It is wonderful,’ said the son of Maia, yawning. ‘It is incredible,’ rejoined the cupbearer of Jove, stretching his legs.
‘A miserable mortal!’ exclaimed the God, elevating his eyebrows.
‘A vile Thessalian!’ said the beautiful Phrygian, shrugging his shoulders.
‘Not three days back an outcast among his own wretched species!’
‘And now commanding everybody in Heaven.’ ‘He shall not command me, though,’ said Mercury.
‘Will he not?’ replied Ganymede. ‘Why, what do you think? only last night; hark! here he comes.’