To us, beyond gifts manifold it is
To find a champion thus compassionate;
Yet send with me attendants, of thy folk,
Rightly to guide me, that I duly find
Each altar of your city’s gods that
stands
Before the fane, each dedicated shrine;
And that in safety through the city’s
ways
I may pass onwards: all unlike to
yours
The outward semblance that I wear—the
race
that Nilus rears is all dissimilar
That of Inachus. Keep watch
and ward
Lest heedlessness bring death:
full oft, I ween,
Friend hath slain friend, not knowing
whom he slew.
THE KING OF ARGOS
Go at his side, attendants,—he
saith well.
On to the city’s consecrated shrines!
Nor be of many words to those ye meet,
The while this suppliant voyager ye lead.
[Exit
DANAUS with attendants.
Let him go forward, thy command obeying.
But me how biddest, how assurest thou?
THE KING OF ARGOS
Leave there the new-plucked boughs,
thy sorrow’s sign.
Thus beckoned forth, at thy behest I leave
them.
THE KING OF ARGOS
Now to this level precinct turn thyself.
Unconsecrate it is, and cannot shield
me.
THE KING OF ARGOS
We will not yield thee to those falcons’
greed.
What help? more fierce they are than serpents
fell
THE KING OF ARGOS
We spake thee fair—speak thou
them fair in turn.
What marvel that we loathe them, scared
in soul?
THE KING OF ARGOS
Awe towards a king should other fears
transcend.
Thus speak, thus act, and reassure my
mind.
THE KING OF ARGOS
Not long thy sire shall leave thee desolate.
But I will call the country’s indwellers,
And with soft words th’ assembly will persuade,
And warn your sire what pleadings will avail.
Therefore abide ye, and with prayer entreat
The country’s gods to compass your desire;
The while I go, this matter to provide,
Persuasion and fair fortune at my side.
[Exit
the KING OF ARGOS.
