Reader

TRITON Poseidon, there’s a girl who comes to Lerna for water every day—ever such a pretty little thing. I don’t know that I ever saw a prettier girl. POSEIDON Free, do you say, Triton, or a serving water-girl? TRITON No servant, but a daughter of that Egyptian. She’s another of those fifty sisters, and is called Amymone. I asked after her name and family. Danaus brings up his daughters the hard way, and teaches them to fend for themselves, sending them for water and training them not to shirk hard work.

POSEIDON Does she come all that long way from Argos to Lerna alone? TRITON Indeed she does, and Argos is a pretty thirsty cf. Iliad, IV, 171 etc. place, as you know, so that she must for ever be carrying water. POSEIDON My dear fellow, I’m really excited at what you’ve told me about her. Let’s go and find her. TRITON Let’s do that. It’s just the time for her to be getting her water. She must be about halfway to Lerna by now. POSEIDON Then get the horses into my chariot, or rather, since it takes too long harnessing the horses and getting the chariot ready, fetch me a quick dolphin. Riding on that, I’ll be able to get away most quickly. TRITON Look, here’s the fastest dolphin you have. POSEIDON Capital. Let’s be on our way; you can swim alongside, my good fellow. . . . Well, now that we’re at Lerna, I’ll lie in wait here somewhere, and you’ll have to keep a look-out, and when you see her coming— TRITON Here she is now, not far off.

POSEIDON She is pretty, my dear fellow, a real beauty. We must get hold of her. AMYMONE Where are you carrying me off to, fellow? You’re a kidnapper, that’s what you are. I’ve an idea Uncle Egyptus sent you. I’m going to scream for my father. TRITON Silence, Amymone, it’s Poseidon. AMYMONE Why do you say Poseidon? Why this force, fellow? Why are you dragging me into the sea? Oh, dear me, I’ll drown if I go under. POSEIDON Don’t worry, you’re in no danger. I’ll give the rock a tap with my trident near the beach, and start a fountain that will have your name. You’ll be happy, and, unlike any of your sisters, you won’t have to carry water after death.