Know you the reason of this present summons ? ‘ Tis neither council day , nor is this heaven . What business has our Jupiter on earth ? Why more at Thebes than any other place ? And why we two , of all the herd of gods , Are chosen out to meet him in consult ? They call me God of Wisdom ; But Mars and Vulcan , the two fools of heaven , Whose wit lies in their anvil and their sword , Know full as much as I . But know you nothing farther , Hermes ? What news in court ? ‘ Twas happy for me that I was at my vocation , driving day-light about the world . But I had rather stand my father 's thunderbolts , than my stepmother 's railing . By the way , her worshippers had a bad time o n't ; she was in a damnable humour for receiving petitions . As plain as one of my own beams ; she has made him uneasy at home , and he is going to seek his diversion abroad . I see heaven itself is no privileged place for happiness , if a man must carry his wife along with him . But , if so , Mercury , then I , who am a poet , must indite his love-letter ; and you , who are by trade a porter , must convey it . Some mortal , we presume , of Cadmus ’ blood ; Some Theban beauty ; some new Semele ; Or some Europa . Any disguise to hide the king of gods . But what necessitates you to this love , Which you confess a crime , and yet commit ? For , to be secret makes not sin the less ; ‘ Tis only hidden from the vulgar view ; Maintains , indeed , the reverence due to princes , But not absolves the conscience from the crime . With reverence be it spoke , a bad excuse : Thus every wicked act , in heaven or earth , May make the same defence . But what is fate ? Is it a blind contingence of events , Or sure necessity of causes linked , That must produce effects ? Or is't a power , That orders all things by superior will , Foresees his work , and works in that foresight ? If there be no such thing as right and wrong Of an eternal being , I have done ; But if there be ,—— Since arbitrary power will hear no reason , ‘ Tis wisdom to be silent . Then how are we to be employed this evening ? Time 's precious , and these summer nights are short ; I must be early up to light the world . Or else a gap in nature of a day . I shall be cursed by all the labouring trades , That early rise ; but you must be obeyed . When would you have me wake ?