O Earth, O my mother! O Zeus, thou king of the earth, and her
child!
Turn back, we pray thee, from us his clamour and threatenings wild!
Herald of Aegyptus:
Swift each unto the ship; repine no more,
Or my hand shall not spare to rend your robe.
Chorus:
O chiefs, O leaders, aid me, or I yield!
Herald of Aegyptus:
Peace! if ye have not ears to hear my words,
Lo, by these tresses must I hale you hence.
Chorus:
Undone we are, O king! all hope is gone.
Herald of Aegyptus:
Ay, kings enow ye shall behold anon,
Aegyptus' sons-Ye shall not want for kings.
The King of Argos enters with his retinue.
The King of Argos:
Sirrah, what dost thou? in what arrogance
Darest thou thus insult Pelasgia's realm?
Deemest thou this a woman-hearted town?
Thou art too full of thy barbarian scorn
For us of Grecian blood, and, erring thus,
Thou dost bewray thyself a fool in all!
Studies
