human
Oh, that will never do! cried Giant Atlas, with a great roar of laughter.
gpt
I have not let fall so many stars within the last five centuries. By the time you have stood there as long as I did, you will begin to learn patience!
human
What! shouted Hercules, very wrathfully,
gpt
We will see about that, one of these days, answered the giant.
human
At all events, you ought not to complain, if you have to bear it the next hundred years, or perhaps the next thousand. I bore it a good while longer, in spite of the back-ache. Well, then, after a thousand years, if I happen to feel in the mood, we may possibly shift about again. You are certainly a very strong man, and can never have a better opportunity to prove it. Posterity will talk of you, I warrant it!
gpt
Pish! a fig for its talk! cried Hercules, with another hitch of his shoulders.
human
Just take the sky upon your head one instant, will you? I want to make a cushion of my lion's skin, for the weight to rest upon. It really chafes me, and will cause unnecessary inconvenience in so many centuries as I am to stand here.
gpt
That's no more than fair, and I'll do it! quoth the giant; for he had no unkind feeling towards Hercules, and was merely acting with a too selfish consideration of his own ease.
human
For just five minutes, then, I'll take back the sky. Only for five minutes, recollect! I have no idea of spending another thousand years as I spent the last. Variety is the spice of life, say I.