XLVIII " `I deem it fit, if you the counsel shown Deem fit as well, in future to ordain, That each upon our coast by Fortune thrown, Before he in the temple shall be slain, Shall have the choice, instead of this, alone Battle against ten others to maintain; And if he conquer, shall the port defend With other comrades, pardoned to that end. XLIX " `I say this, since to strive against our ten, It seems, that one imprisoned here will dare: Who, if he stands against so many men, By Heaven, deserves that we should hear his prayer; But if he rashly boasts himself, again As worthily due the punishment should bear.' Here Orontea ceased; on the other side, To her the oldest of the dames replied. L " `The leading cause, for which to entertain This intercourse with men we first agreed, Was not because we, to defend this reign, Of their assistance stood in any need; For we have skill and courage to maintain This of ourselves, and force, withal, to speed. Would that we could in all as well avail Without their succour, nor succession fail! LI " `But since this may not be, we some have made (These few) partakers of our company; That, ten to one, we be not overlaid; Nor they possess them of the sovereignty. Not that we for protection need their aid, But simply to increase and multiply. Than be their powers to this sole fear addressed, And be they sluggards, idle for the rest. LII " `To keep among us such a puissant wight Our first design would render wholly vain. If one can singly slay ten men in fight, How many women can he not restrain? If our ten champions had possessed such might, They the first day would have usurped the reign. To arm a hand more powerful than your own Is an ill method to maintain the throne. LIII " `Reflect withal, that if your prisoner speed So that he kill ten champions in the fray, A hundred women's cry, whose lords will bleed Beneath his falchion, shall your ears dismay. Let him not 'scape by such a murderous deed; But, if he would, propound some other way. -- Yet if he of those ten supply the place, And please a hundred women, grant him grace.' LIV "This was severe Artemia's sentiment, (So was she named) and had her counsel weighed, Elbanio to the temple had been sent, To perish by the sacrificial blade. But Orontea, willing to content Her daughter, to the matron answer made; And urged so many reasons, and so wrought, The yielding senate granted what she ought. LV "Elbanio's beauty (for so fair to view Never was any cavalier beside) So strongly works upon the youthful crew, Which in that council sit the state to guide, That the opinion of the older few That like Artemia think, is set aside; And little lacks but that the assembled race Absolve Elbanio by especial grace.