Dialogues of the Gods

1IRIS That wandering island,†Poseidon, which was broken off from Sicily, and is still propelling itself about under water—Zeus says you are to make it stop now, and bring it into view. You are to fix it quite securely, and make it stand firm, clearly visible†from now on in the middle of the Aegean. He wants it for something. POSEIDON It will be done, Iris. But what use will it be to him by coming to light and ceasing its seafaring? IRIS Leto must be delivered upon it. She’s already in distress from her birth pangs. POSEIDON What of it? Hasn’t heaven room enough for bearing children? If not heaven, couldn’t all the earth accommodate her for the birth? IRIS No, Poseidon. Hera has laid the earth under strict oath not to give Leto anywhere for her travail; thus this island is not bound by the oath, for it was not visible.

2POSEIDON I see. Stop still, island. Come up again from the deep, and drift below the surface no more. Remain in a fixed position, and receive, most lucky of islands, my brother’s two children, the most beautiful of all the gods. And you, Tritons, give Leto passage to the island, and let all be calm. And the moment the babes are born, they’ll pursue the serpent that’s now maddening Leto with fright, and exact vengeance for their mother. And you, Iris, go and tell Zeus that all is ready. Delos is stationary. Let Leto come now and have her children.