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.[6] [_Exit HERALD OF AEGYPTUS._] But ye, O maids, with your attendants true, Pass hence with trust into the fencèd town, Ringed with a wide confine of guarding towers. Therein are many dwellings for such guests As the State honours; there myself am housed Within a palace neither scant nor strait. There dwell ye, if ye will to lodge at ease In halls well-thronged: yet, if your soul prefer, Tarry secluded in a separate home. Choose ye and cull, from these our proffered gifts, Whiche’er is best and sweetest to your will: And I and all these citizens whose vote Stands thus decreed, will your protectors be. Look not to find elsewhere more loyal guard. CHORUS. O godlike chief, God grant my prayer: _Fair blessings on thy proffers fair, Lord of Pelasgia’s race!_ Yet, of thy grace, unto our side Send thou the man of courage tried, Of counsel deep and prudent thought,— Be Danaus to his children brought; For his it is to guide us well And warn where it behoves to dwell— What place shall guard and shelter us From malice and tongues slanderous: Swift always are the lips of blame A stranger-maiden to defame— But Fortune give us grace! THE KING OF ARGOS. A stainless fame, a welcome kind From all this people shall ye find: Dwell therefore, damsels, loved of us, Within our walls, as Danaus Allots to each, in order due, Her dower of attendants true. Re-enter DANAUS.