Eksodos
Herald
If you will not resign yourself and get to the ship, rending will have no pity on the fabric of your garments.
Chorus
We are lost! O King, we are suffering impious violence!l. 908
Herald
l. 906Oh, you will soon see many kings in Aegyptus’ sons. Be of good cheer: you will not have to blame lack of government.
905
Listen! Chiefs and rulers of the city, I am threatened with violence!l. 905
I think I will have to seize you by the hair and drag you offl. 909
since you are slow to heed my orders.
910
King
You there! What are you doing? What kind of arrogance has incited you to do such dishonor to this realm of Pelasgian men? Indeed, do you think you have come to a land of women? For a barbarian dealing with Hellenes, you act insolently.
Many are the misses of your wits, and your hits are none.
915
Herald
And in this case where have I gone wrong and transgressed my right?
King
First of all, you do not know how to act as a stranger.
Herald
I not know? How so, when I simply find and take my own that I had lost?
King
To what patrons of your land was your notice given?
Herald
To Hermes, the Searcher, greatest of patrons.
920
King
For all your notice to the gods, you do them no reverence.
Herald
I revere the deities by the Nile.
King
While ours are nothing, as I understand you?
Herald
I shall carry off these maids unless someone tears them away.
King
If you so much as touch them, you will regret it, and right soon.
925
Herald
I hear you; and your speech is far from hospitable.
King
No, since I have no hospitality for despoilers of the gods.
Herald
I will go and tell Aegyptus’ sons about this.
King
My proud spirit will not ponder on this threat.
Herald
But that I may know and tell a plainer tale —for it is fitting that a herald make exact report on each detail—what message am I to deliver? Who is it, am I to tell on my return, that has despoiled me of this band of women, their own cousins? It is not, I suppose, by voice of witnesses that the god of battle judges cases like this;
930
nor is it by the gift of silver that he settles dispute; no! If that be the case, many a one shall fall and shuffle off his life.
935
My name? Why should I tell you? In due course of time you will learn it, you and your companions.
As for these maids, if, convinced by god-fearing argument, they consent of their own free will and heartily, you may take them. But to this purpose a decree has been passed by the unanimous resolve of the people of the State, never, under compulsion, to surrender this association of women. Through their resolve
940
the rivet has been driven home, to remain fixed and fast. Not on tablets is this inscribed, nor has it been sealed in folds of books: you hear the truth from free-spoken lips. Now get out of my sight immediately!
945
I think we are about to involve ourselves in a new war. But may victory and authority rest with the men!
950
It is men, I believe, you will find in the dwellers of this land; and they are no drinkers of diluted wine. Exit Herald. But
take courage, all of you, and together with your handmaidens, proceed to our well-fenced town, encircled by sturdy devices of towers. As for places inside to lodge, there are plenty of the public sort. For on no modest scale do I myself live, where,
955
