_Lyc._ Come, come! you overpraise us: there’s no need. We Scyrians are contented.—Now we are climbed Above the town to the east; and you may see The western seaboard, and our other port. The island narrows here to twenty stades, Cut like a wasp; the shoulder where we stand 460 Is its best natured spot: It falls to the sun, And at this time of the year takes not too much. _Ab._ ’Tis strange how in all points the lie of the land Is like our Ithaca, but better clothed. _Lyc._ And larger, is’t not? _Ab._ Past comparison.— _Lyc._ What navy bring ye to the war? _Ab._ Ah, sire! We have no ships to boast of—with our own Zakynthus, Cephallenia, and the rest, Joining their numbers, raise but ten or twelve. _Lyc._ And these your prince commands? 470 _Ab._ Such as they be. _Lyc._ Tidings come slowly to us here. I pray you Tell me the latest of your preparations. The thing must drag: there was some talk awhile Of coldness ’twixt the chiefs: ’twould be no wonder. They that combine upon one private grudge May split upon another. _Ab._ Still their zeal Increases: ’tis as fire spread from a spark. _Lyc._ A spark? well—Menelaus. At this time What numbers hath he drawn, and whence? _Ab._ The ships Number above a thousand: a tenth of these 480 Are sent by Corinth, Sicyon and Mycenæ; Sixty are Spartan, and king Agamemnon Provides as many as these all told together. Then from Ægina, Epidaurus, Argos, And Tiryns Diomede brings eighty: Nestor Ninety from Pylos; from Bœotia Come eighty; Phocis and Phthiotis each Send forty; Athens fifty; and Eubœa Forty; from Salamis Ajax brings twelve; Oilean Ajax with the Locrians 490 Forty more; from our neighbours in the west, Dulichium and Ætolia, eighty sail; Again as many from hundred-citied Crete Under the king Idomeneus, and nine From Rhodes: All these, with others that escape My hasty summing, lie drawn up at Aulis. ’Tis such a sight as, I am bold to say, If but your majesty could see it, would move you To make a part of the splendour. _Lyc._ Nay, I have seen them. _Ab._ Your majesty hath been at Aulis?