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.
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.
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.
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; 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.
King 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 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!
Herald I think we are about to involve ourselves in a new war. But may victory and authority rest with the men!
King It is men, I believe, you will find in the dwellers of this land; and they are no drinkers of diluted wine. 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, in company with many others, you may occupy abodes suitably prepared; or, if it is more pleasing to you, it is free for you also to make your home in dwellings of separate sort. Of these select what is best and most to your desires. A protector you have in me and in all the inhabitants, whose resolve this is that now takes effect. Why wait for others of higher authority?
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