HERALD. How wrong? Speak plainly. KING. Thou art a stranger here, and dost not know As a stranger how to bear thee. HERALD. This I know, I lost my own, and what I lost I found. KING. Thy patrons[f21] who, on this Pelasgian ground? HERALD. To find stray goods the world all over, Hermes Is prince of patrons.[n53] KING. Hermes is a god, Thou, therefore, fear the gods. HERALD. And I do fear The gods of the Nile. KING. We too have gods in Argos. HERALD. So be it: but, in Argos or in Africk, My own's my own. KING. Who touches these reaps harm, And that right soon. HERALD. No friendly word thou speak'st, To welcome strangers. KING. Strangers are welcome here; But not to spoil the gods. HERALD. These words of thine To Ægyptus' sons be spoken, not to me. KING. I take no counsel, or from them, or thee. HERALD. Thou--who art thou? for I must plainly make Rehearsal to my masters--this my office Enforces--both by whom, and why, unjustly I of this kindred company of women Am robbed. A serious strife it is; no bandying Of words from witnesses, no silver passed From hand to hand will lay such ugly strife; But man for man must fall, and noblest souls Must dash their lives away. KING. For what I am, You, and your shipmates, soon enough shall know me. These maids, if with the softly suasive word Thou canst prevail, are thine; to force we never Will yield the suppliant sisters; thus the people With one acclaim have voted; 'tis nailed down Thus to the letter. So it must remain. {249} Thou hast my answer, not in tablets graven, Or in the volumed scroll, all stamped and sealed, But from a free Greek mouth. Dost understand me? Hence quickly from my sight! HERALD. Of this be sure, A war thou stirrest, in which, when once begun, The males will be the stronger. KING. We, too, have males In Argos, lusty-blooded men, who drink Good wine, not brewed from barley.[f22] As for you, Ye virgins, fearless follow where these guides Shall lead. Our city strongly girt with wall, And high-reared tower receives you. We can boast Full many a stately mansion; stateliest piled My palace stands, work of no feeble hands. Right pleasant 'tis in populous floors to lodge With many a fellow-tenant: some will find A greater good in closely severed homes, That have no common gates: of these thou hast The ample choice: take what shall like thee most. Know me thy patron, and in all things know My citizens thy shield, whose vote hath pledged Thy safety; surer guarantee what wouldst thou?