Part 7 (1/2)

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.

[Enter the KING OF ARGOS.

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!

HERALD OF AEGYPTUS

Say thou wherein my deeds transgress my right.

THE KING OF ARGOS

First, that thou play'st a stranger's part amiss.

HERALD OF AEGYPTUS

Wherein? I do but search and claim mine own.

THE KING OF ARGOS

To whom of our guest-champions hast appealed?

HERALD OF AEGYPTUS

To Hermes, herald's champion, lord of search.

THE KING OF ARGOS

Yea, to a G.o.d-yet dost thou wrong the G.o.ds!

HERALD OF AEGYPTUS

The G.o.ds that rule by Nilus I revere.

THE KING OF ARGOS

Hear I aright? our Argive G.o.ds are nought?

HERALD OF AEGYPTUS

The prey is mine, unless force rend it from me.

THE KING OF ARGOS

At thine own peril touch them-'ware, and soon!