The King of Argos:
What skills it that I tell my name to thee?
Thou and thy mates shall learn it ere the end.
Know that if words unstained by violence
Can change these maidens' choice, then mayest thou,
With full consent of theirs, conduct them hence.
But thus the city with one voice ordained-
No force shall bear away the maiden band.
Firmly this word upon the temple wall
Is by a rivet clenched, and shall abide:
Not upon wax inscribed and delible,
Nor upon parchment sealed and stored away.-
Lo, thou hast heard our free mouths speak their
will:
Out from our presence-tarry not, but go!
Herald of Aegyptus:
Methinks we stand on some new edge of war:
Be strength and triumph on the young men's side!
The King of Argos:
Nay but here also shall ye find young men,
Unsodden with the juices oozed from grain.
The Herald of Aegyptus and his followers withdraw.
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