LXXII He: "Ready shalt thou find me in the strife To follow thee or perish at thy side: But let us hope not to escape with life. Enough, is vengeance somedeal satisfied Ere death; for oft ten thousand, maid and wife, I in the place have witnessed; and, outside, As many castle, wall and port, defend. Nor know I certain way from hence to wend." LXXIII "And were there more (Marphisa made reply) Than Xerxes led, our squadrons to oppose, More than those rebel spirits from the sky Cast out to dwell amid perpetual woes, All in one day should by this weapon die, Wert thou with me, at least, not with my foes." To her again, "No project but must fail, (Sir Guido said) I know, save this avail." LXXIV "This only us can save, should it succeed; This, which but now remembered I shall teach. To dames alone our laws the right concede To sally, or set foot upon the beach, And hence to one of mine in this our need Must I commit myself, and aid beseech; Whose love for me, by perfect friendship tied, Has oft by better proof than this been tried. LXXV "No less than me would she desire that I Should 'scape from slavery, so she went with me; And that, without her rival's company, She of my lot should sole partaker be. She bark or pinnace, in the harbour nigh, Shall bid, while yet 'tis dark, prepare for sea; Which shall await your sailors, rigged and yare For sailing, when they thither shall repair. LXXVI "Behind me, in a solid band comprest, Ye merchants, mariners and warriors, who, Driven to this city, have set up your rest Beneath this roof (for which my thanks are due) -- You have to force your way with stedfast breast, If adversaries interrupt our crew. 'Tis thus I hope, by succour of the sword, To clear a passage through the cruel horde." LXXVII "Do as thou wilt," Marphisa made reply, "I of escape am confident withal: And likelier 'twere that by my hand should die The martial race, encompassed by this wall, Than any one should ever see me fly, Or guess by other sign that fears appall. I would my passage force in open day, And shameful in my sight were other way. LXXVIII "I wot if I were for a woman known, Honour and place from women I might claim, Here gladly entertained, and classed as one Haply among their chiefs of highest fame: But privilege or favour will I none Unshared by those with whom I hither came. Too base it were, did I depart or free Remain, to leave the rest in slavery." LXXIX These speeches by Marphisa made, and more, Showed that what only had restrained her arm Was the respect she to the safety bore Of the companions whom her wrath might harm; By this alone withheld form taking sore And signal vengeance on the female swarm. And hence she left in Guido's care to shape What seemed the fittest means for their escape.