NIGHT.Really the employment which the great Jupiter reserves for me is a worthy one! The service he requires of me passes under a very respectable name.
MERC.You are somewhat old-fashioned for a young goddess! Such an employment is not debasing except among people of mean birth.When one has the happiness of belonging to lofty rank, whatever one does is always right and good; things change their names to suit what one may be.
NIGHT.You know more about such matters than I do; I will trust to your enlightened views and accept this employment.
MERC.Come, come, now, Madam Night, a little gently, I beseech you.
The world gives you the reputation of not being so scrupulous.In a hundred different climes you are made the confidant of many gallant adventures; and, if I may speak candidly, we do not owe each other anything.
NIGHT.Let us cease these reproaches and remain what we are.Let us not give men cause to laugh by telling each other the truth.
MERC.Adieu.I am going there to play my part in this business, promptly to strip myself of the form of Mercury and to take in its place the figure of Amphitryon's valet.
NIGHT.I am going to keep station in this hemisphere with my sombre train.
MERC.Good day, Night.
NIGHT.Adieu, Mercury.
(Mercury descends from his cloud to the earth, and Night goes away in her chariot.)
END OF THE PROLOGUE.