Council of the Gods

Narrator: At the summit of Olympus, Jupiter summoned the Gods and Goddesses
along with the muses. Jupiter sat on his golden throne, holding the scepter of
Cypress. At his feet was the bronze eagle shining in various colors. By his side stood
his wife, Juno, the Goddess of Marriage, wearing a bright crown. To his left was his
daughter and adviser, the Goddess of Wisdom, Minerva, in green and olive attire with
her shield. On his right sat Justice, holding the scale of justice. Behind Jupiter and
Juno was Hebe, the Goddess of Youth and Spring. On the other side was Saturn, the
God of Agriculture. In a rose-covered bed was the Goddess of Beauty and Love,
Venus, with her son Cupid. Apollo, the God of Music and Poetry, interacted with the
eight muses while playing his lyre. Mars, the God of War, was there with his wife
Bellona, the Goddess of War. Also present were Alcides, son of Zeus and Alcmene,
and Momus, the God of Mockery.

(The play begins)

Mercury: (Entering, kneeling, and removing his hat) I have completed your orders,
father. Neptune and his companions cannot attend out of fear of not being able to
control the sea due to mortal actions. Vulcan continues to forge the thunder and
lightning as you instructed for Olympus to have a weapon. As for Pluto…

Jupiter: (Interrupting loudly) Silence! I don't need them! Hebe, Ganymede, serve
nectar for the immortals to drink.

(Silenus enters while singing)

Silenus: Whoever wants to live and divert himself, turn away from Minerva and join
me.

Minerva: Silence! The powerful Jupiter is speaking!

Silenus: So what if he's speaking? Are the conquerors of the Titans irritated? The
Gods drink nectar, so anyone can rejoice. In my opinion, you were hurt by my
disciple, giving you a reason to act like this…
Momus: (mockingly) Defend your disciple Silenus, so they won't say your followers
lack respect.

(Minerva about to speak, is silenced by the gesture of Jupiter)

Jupiter: Honorable Gods, during the time mortals attempted to climb Olympus to
seize my power, undoubtedly, they would have succeeded if you hadn't helped to stop
them, imprisoning some in Tartarus and burying others in Etna. Therefore, I, the King
of the Gods, have decided to commence this celebration through a literary contest.

Narrator: The contest has three prizes: the war trumpet made of metal, owned by
Vulcan alone; the lyre crafted by Apollo, also made by Vulcan; and the crown made
from the most beautiful olive harvested from Jupiter's garden.

Jupiter: These three prizes are of equal value, and the winner shall receive all of them.
So, show me who among you deserves to receive and own these.

Juno: (rising arrogantly) Forgive me, my dear king, but only Homer is truly worthy
among mortals. His Iliad exudes courage, the Odyssey reflects extraordinary wisdom.
No one else captures gentle battles through writing, singing of divinity, knowledge,
goodness, bravery, heroism. He is the deserving one.

Venus: Forgive me, my sister, if I disagree with your esteemed Homer. Jupiter, King
of the Gods, please heed my plea. I pray that you do not disregard the magnificent
song of the Roman poet Virgil, glorifying my son Aeneas. Let us not forget the lyrics
of Virgil sung for our glory. In short, Virgil is more deserving of winning this contest.

Juno: What? And why would a Roman poet be more deserving than a Greek? When
did a translation become better than the original? (With a disappointed tone) Oh
Goddess of Beauty and Love, I think you are mistaken, and I am not surprised
because if the discussion is not about love, it's above your head. The heart and love
don't know how to give reasons. Please, spare us your words, for the sake of your
countless lovers...
Venus: Oh Juno, your jealousy is equal to your vengefulness. Despite your sharp
memory, you disgustingly forgot your favorite Homer insulting our Gods and
Goddesses. But if in your judgment he is just and truthful, I am happy for you.
However, for me, let the Gods and Goddesses of Olympus speak.

Momus: Yes! Let them say you adore Virgil because he aligns with your views, and
Juno, you defend Homer because he's a poet of vengeance; you're like dogs and deer
slinging mud at each other! And Jupiter, why do you allow these two to clash? You sit
there like a child listening to this trilogy!

Juno: (loudly) My beloved husband, why do you let this monster insult us? Cast him
out of Olympus, for his breath reeks! And furthermore...

Momus: Praise Juno, who doesn't know how to mock, and she called me a foul-
smelling monster! (The Gods laugh)

Juno: Silence, God of Mockery on the shores of the Stygian lake. Enough of all this,
listen to Minerva; her opinion has been consistent with mine from the beginning.

Momus: Another one like you! Meddling busybody!

Minerva: (pretending not to hear; removing her helmet) Hear me, offspring of the
mighty Saturn and you honorable Gods and Goddesses. Please don't take offense at
what I'm about to say, and if you think my argument is lacking or flawed, do not
hesitate to weigh it on the scale of justice. I stand here for Cervantes, a child of Spain.
His "Quixote" is a work of justice, free from bloodstains but filled with joy, a nectar
brimming with lessons. Lessons that will give meaning to humanity. If you ask me
about the purity and goodness of this mortal, I would gladly share, but it's better if we
pay attention to what Apollo, the God of Music and Poetry, has to say about the
author of "Quixote."

Apollo: Accept my acknowledgment, Father. Cervantes, despite his hardships and

suffering, did not hesitate to pay homage to me and offer his lyrics to my chariot and
horse. In a prison, he managed to fly and escape, using only a pen. His art, as sweet
and rich as the golden waters of Actolus, why not grant this mortal success in this
contest? I agree with Minerva; forgive us, honorable Gods and Goddesses, if you do
not agree with my opinion.

Juno: If we're talking about hardship, cruelty, and the endurance of Cervantes, Homer
experienced the same – a blind and miserable man traveling to different villages with
his unique lyrics, accompanied by his loyal friend. Don't you remember this, Apollo?

Venus: Didn't Virgil also experience poverty? Didn't he live as a beggar, receiving
daily bread as an offering from Caesar? His works – don't they imply the extent of his
suffering and pitiable feelings?

Minerva: I agree with you, Venus. However, don't forget that he was wounded and
captured in the land of Africa, where he tasted the bitterness of the sword and nearly
died several times.

(Jupiter makes signs that he agrees with Minerva)

Mars: No! By my spear! At any time while the blood of immortality flows in my
veins, Cervantes will never win! How can I allow a mortal who mocks my festivals
and name to triumph? Jupiter, I aided you once; listen to my plea.

Juno: (Irritated) Did you hear that, Jove, the dispenser of justice? Mars's argument is
valiant, matching the bravery of his courage. How can we let a mortal like Cervantes
be the sole victor in this contest?

Mars: Honorable King of the Gods, if you are not convinced by my argument, ask the
other participants in this celebration if they agree with me. (arrogantly strides to the
center, challenging all with a look and brandishing his sword.)

Minerva: (stepping forward with a proud demeanor and flashing eyes, but speaking in
a calm voice) Poor Mars, you have forgotten the battle at Troy where you were
wounded by a mortal. If what you boast about is your sword, I am not afraid.
However, to avoid being compared to one like you, I want to share with you that you
are mistaken in your assumption. Cervantes confronted you at Lepanto, where he lost
his left hand and almost died. Cervantes renounced being a knight because it was no
longer right for him. Now, if you do not deem it worthy, I accept your challenge.
(Having spoken, Minerva, like a lightning-loaded cloud approaching each other over
the center of the ocean when the sky darkens, slowly marches forward, clasping her
formidable shield and lowering her spear, a terrible angel of destruction, of tranquil
but terrifying look, the sound of her voice striking fear.)

Narrator: Behind Mars is his wife Bellona, ready to assist him. Apollo releases his
lyre and takes his bow, aiming it at Mars.

Jupiter: (shouting with thunderbolt) Cease, all of you! Return to your seats! Justice
will decide who will win.

Narrator: Justice rises and takes the scale of justice. Mercury places the Aeneid and
Quixote on opposite sides of the scale, and they balance equally. Mercury then takes
the Iliad, and to everyone's surprise, it also balances equally.

Jupiter: Gods and Goddesses! According to Justice, these three mortals are equally
deserving. Let us give homage to Homer, who will receive the golden trumpet, to
Virgil, who owns the lyre, and to Cervantes, who possesses the Laurel Crown!
Apollo, play a song, and let us celebrate together!

Apollo: (Striking his lyre - at whose sound Olympus is illuminated - and intoning the
hymn of glory that resounds all over the coliseum): Let us all pay tribute in the name
of Homer, Virgil, and Cervantes!

(The muses, nymphs, as well as the Gods and Goddesses, begin to dance...)