Demophon: Touch them and thou shalt rue it, and that without delay.
Leader: I conjure thee, never dare to strike a herald.
Demophon: Strike I will, unless that herald learn discretion.
Leader: Depart; and thou, O king, touch him not.
Copreus: I go; for 'tis feeble fighting with a single arm. But I will
come again, bringing hither a host of Argive troops, spearmen clad
in bronze; for countless warriors are awaiting my return, and king
Eurystheus in person at their head; anxiously he waits the issue here
on the borders of Alcathous' realm. And when he hears thy haughty
answer, he will burst upon thee, and thy citizens, on this land and
all that grows therein; for all in vain should we possess such hosts
of picked young troops in Argos, should we forbear to punish thee.
(Copreus departs.)
Demophon: Perdition seize thee! I am not afraid of thy Argos. Be very
sure thou shalt not drag these suppliants hence by force, to my shame;
for I hold not this city subject unto Argos, but independently.
Studies
