Tiresias lyrics

They say that Jupiter, soused with nectar,
Put aside his grave concerns and joking around
With an idle Juno said to her, "Your sex's pleasure
Is clearly greater than any felt by males."
She said no, and so they agreed to ask Tiresias
His opinion, familiar as he was with either sex.
For he had once struck with his staff two great serpents
As they were mating in the greenwood,
And, transformed amazingly from man to woman,
Spent seven autumns in that state. In the eighth
He saw the samе two snakes again and said,
"If hitting you has power sufficient
To changе the sex of the author of the blow,
I'll strike you again now." The vipers being struck,
His former form returned and he was himself again.
Chosen as arbiter of this lighthearted spat,
He confirmed Jove's opinion. Saturnian Juno,
Taking it harder than the case warranted,
Condemned the umpire to everlasting blindness.
The Almighty Father could not render null and void
Another god's decree, but in recompense
For his loss of sight, gave Tiresias the power
To see the future, lightening the penalty
With this honor. He went on to be celebrated
Throughout the cities and towns of Boeotia
For the faultless responses he gave to petitioners.