Book 15
1
I’ve never seen a more magnificent pageant on the sea, ever since I began to live and blow. Didn’t you see it, Notus?
1
What pageant do you mean, Zephyrus? Who were in it?
1
You missed a most delightful spectacle, the like of which you’ll never see again.
1
Well, I was at work about the Red Sea, and I blew also over the parts of India near the coast. So I’ve no idea what you’re talking about.
1
But you do know Agenor of Sidon?
1
Yes, Europa’s father. Of course I do.
1
I’ll tell you something about the girl herself.
1
Not that Zeus has long been in love with her? I’ve known that for ages.
1
Well, you may know about his love, but let me now tell you what followed.
2
Europa in her play had come down to the beach with her companions, and Zeus took the shape of a bull, and started playing with them, looking magnificent, for he was all white with nice curly horns and gentle eyes. Well, he too started skipping about on the beach, and bellowed most charmingly, so that Europa even dared to climb up on to him. Thereupon Zeus galloped off to the sea with her on his back, plunged in and began to swim; she was quite terrified, and clutched his horn with her left hand so as not to slip off, while she held her robe down against the wind with her right hand.
3
Indeed a delightful spectacle for you, my dear Zephyrus—a real love-scene! Zeus swimming along and carrying off his beloved!
