Apollo, Hermes, Poseidon

31So talked they with each other. Then the son
Of Zeus, Apollo, thus to Hermes said: —

32“Hermes, you son and messenger of Zeus,
And bountiful of gifts, could you endure,
Fettered with such strong chains as these, to lie
Upon a couch with Aphrodite at your side?”

33The herald-god, the Argus-queller, thus
Made answer: “Nay, I would that it were so,
O archer-king, Apollo; I could bear
Chains thrice as many, and of infinite strength,
And all the gods and all the goddesses
Might come to look upon me, I would keep
My place with golden Aphrodite at my side.”

34He spoke, and all the immortals laughed to hear.
Poseidon alone laughed not, but earnestly
Prayed Hephaestus, the renowned artificer,
To set Ares free, and spoke these winged words: —

35“Release your prisoner. What you do require
I promise here —that he shall make to you
Due recompense in presence of the gods.”