Ancient and Modern Pederasty Investigated and Exemplify'd/Ganymede and Jupiter

by Lucian of Samosata

The Persons of this Dialogue are thus situated; Jupiter in the Form of an Eagle, has just mounted Ganymede into Heaven, where resuming his … figure, he addresses the new Guest.

Jup. We are happily arriv’d. Come, kiss me, charming Ganymede, that you may be more convinc’d I have not now the Beak so disagreeable.

Gan. You are quite another Thing, I must say: But did not you last Minute take me in your Pounces, and fly a dizzy Height with me? Is not this true, Man?

Jup. No Man, O Stripling, but the God of Gods; whose Heaven is of no Price Compar’d to you.

Gan. You are Pan mayhap. But that can’t be neither; for I see no Horns upon your Head, nor Hair on your Thighs.

Jup. So, according to you, Pan is the supreme Deity.

Gan. I always took him for such; and do still. I’m sure there is never a year but we offer to him in the Cave, where his Image Stands, a Goat, whose Stones are come down. You now may be some Hireling for all you are so big spoken.

Jup. Exquisite Creature, that thrillest every Particle of my Frame, have you ne’er heard of Jupiter, or, seen on Gargarus the celebrated Temple, where Art has labour’d Nature’s radiant Product to such a Curiosity? ’Tis mine, Who flash the lightning; deal the Thunder bolt.

Gan. You make a fine Noise belike over our Heads; and I reckon, your Worship tumbled all that Hail upon me t’other Day in the Field. It is not long since my Father sacrific’d a Special fat Ram to you; but, in my opinion, more through Fear, than anything else. Pray, Sir Thunder, why have you taken me from my Flock? The defenseless Innocents are now the Prey of that ugly scowling Wolf, I so difficultly kept off.

Jup. Does high favour’d Ganymede mind Flocks? Let him fix his Attention upon ever-flowing Felicity with almighty Jove.

Gan. Why you’ll send me back to Ida sure?

Jup. Then what did I turn Eagle for?

Gan. Ah, my Father seeking me up and down will break his Heart, or may be, bye and bye, my Head, thinking I deserted the tender Lambs.

Jup. But how will he do to get at you?

Gan. O but I want to get to him; and if you are so kind to let me, I tell you what; the fattest Goat of the Herd shall smoke to you.

Jup. Sweet Simplicity, but think no more of Flocks, and Ida: The Heaven of Heavens is now your Habitation; and you may far better benefit your Father by benign Influence, than by keeping Sheep. Your Country too may experience your favourable Aspect. Milk and Cheese must yield Place for the future to Nectar and Ambrosia; the Care of Cattle to the Office of waiting on your enamour’d Jupiter: And what is more than all I have told you; your Beauty, upon which Time, ere long, wou’d have laid his shrivelling Hand, shall bloom for ever, refined to brighter Radiance. A Star far beaming in the wide Firmament will denote the Acquisition of such an invaluable Jewel to our Abode. But turn thy more than Starry Eyes on me: Fix them upon Mine—My Charmer shall be perfectly, and beyond his Imagination happy.

Gan. But if I shou’d have a Fancy to play, it must be alone, as far as I can see?

Jup. No such Thing; here’s Cupid, will play with you as long as you chuse; and I’ll take Care you shan’t want Quoits. Every Pleasure shall attend you.

Gan. But all this while, what am I good for? You have no Flock to look after.

Jup. My Dearest is to give the Drink.

Gan. That suits me well enough: I am counted clever at handling a Milk bowl.

Jup. O that Milk bowl; I must have you well soak it in Nectar.

Gan. I have no Notion, this Nectar is sweeter than our Milk.

Jup. Your Notions will improve anon.

Gan. I suppose, Cupid is to be my Bedfellow too.

Jup. No; you are to lay only with your Jupiter: And, to be plain, fair Ganymede is in Heaven upon this very Account.

Gan. Had not you now as well sleep by yourself?

Jup. What as with such a peerless Beauty?

Gan. Has Beauty any Relation to Sleep?

Jup. Oh! the soundest Sleep Succeeds the Enj-m-nt of Beauty.

Gan. I don’t know what you mean by Enj-m-nt; But, if you have no better Scheme than this, dismiss me instantly, I am the worst Bedfellow, you ever knew: my Father does nothing but complain of my tumbling.

Jup. Tumble, thou firm, round, delicate Creature: I shall tumble too; tumble Thee, Ganymede.

Gan. O Jupiter, your Words cause a Strange Emotion in me. If you shou’d not like it, you will remember, it was your own seeking.

Jup. It shall be my seeking to fire you with fervid Kisses; to glue to you my pressing Limbs; to mix, and make one common Essence with you. Mercury, pledge him Immortality in a Cup of Nectar, that invigorated he may meet the nervous Joy. Now and but now, I find myself in Heaven.