When Jupiter was assigning the various gods their privileges, it so happened that Grief was not present with the rest: but when all had received their share, he too entered and claimed his due. Jupiter was at a loss to know what to do, for there was nothing left for him. However, at last he decided that to him should belong the tears that are shed for the dead. Thus it is the same with Grief as it is with the other gods. The more devoutly men render to him his due, the more lavish is he of that which he has to bestow. It is not well, therefore, to mourn long for the departed; else Grief, whose sole pleasure is in such mourning, will be quick to send fresh cause for tears.
朱庇特给诸神分配特权时，悲伤之神没有和诸神一起出现，但其他人都得到了自己的特权后，他又来要求自己的。朱庇特不知道该怎么办，因为已经没有什么特权留下来了。不过，最后，他决定悲伤之神掌控为死者而流的眼泪。于是，悲伤之神和其他神便都有了特权。人们对他的供奉越虔诚，他对人们的馈赠也会越丰厚。但是为死者悲悼过长时间并不合适，而悲伤之神仅有的乐趣就在这些哀悼之中，所以很快便会去寻觅能导致流泪的新机了。