University of Virginia Library

SCENE III.

—The palace of Jupiter in Olympus. Jupiter on his throne. Other Olympian deities assembled in high festival.
[During the chorus Thetis kneels at Jupiter's feet, realising Flaxman's picture of the incident. Homer is led off to a refreshment table by Bacchus, Apollo, Vulcan, &c. Homer continues taking notes.
Jupiter
[rising].
Our promise, Thetis, you have gain'd, that's clear.

Enter Juno, followed by Minerva.
Juno
[angrily].
How now? What brings that fisherwoman here?

Jup.
[aside].
Our jealous queen! She call'd, my love, to ask
If we of oysters wanted a small cask;
Likewise to mention turbot was in season.

Juno.
O watery pretence! Most washy reason!

Jup.
“Washy,” my dear?

Juno.
Ay, with the prefix “wishy.”

Jup.
[aside].
I fear the explanation did look fishy.
Mind your own bus'ness, madam! Tut, go to!
Do I command Olympus, or do you?
Suppose, to please a faithful servant's boy,
I have agreed to take the side of Troy,
And havoc spread your fav'rite Greeks among?
Don't answer me, ma'am! Silence! Hold your tongue!
[Aside.]
I'm forced to bully her, or she would me.

Juno.
A case of wife-beating, I plainly see,
You meditate. Let the result be shown;
As ox-eyed Juno, recollect, I'm known.
Let Jove my Greeks and me his lightnings fire on,
And Juno he may find oxide of iron.

Jup.
Dost brave me?

Juno.
Ay, with all your thunders wreaking.

Vulcan
[rising].
Though not accustomed much to public speaking,
Let me propose this quarrel to restrain,
And sluice the difficulty with a drain.

BALLET
Descriptive of the reconciliation of Juno and Jupiter by Vulcan. A Dance by Iris and the Hours. Homer is led out rather “how came you so?”