Yes, yes, After a fashion, ’mongst yourselves. There Dorians Grip with Ionians, and then, to cap it, It comes to this--Boeotians join the fray, And so you think that Ares’ self looks on And with a shudder marks your every blow. Gyges, had every prize that’s offered there Been won by you, still were I forced to warn you Avoid the lists e’en for the lowest guerdon. We’ve ever set a wild and bloody pace; But even a single twig of silver poplar, Such as to-day are in their thousands strown, Ventured by you, a Greek and in my graces, Would ne’er allow you scapement of your life. GYGES. And so I have your “yes”; no longer now Can you withhold consent. KAN. You take it so? I were best mute. GYGES. I came, Sire, not alone For begging. (_He brings forth a ring._) Take it! ’Tis a royal ring. You look on it, find naught of mark therein, You’re mazed I am so bold to make the offer, You’ll take it, too, as from a child a flower, To keep the poor and artless grace unwounded That plucked it for you, not because you’re pleased. It’s surface-show is meagre--true--and plain And yet you cannot, for your kingly realm, Purchase it for your own, nor yet with force, ’Spite all your power, turn robber ’gainst its wearer Unless of free consent he will the gift. You wear it so (_indicating with signs_) to make the metal rest With forward trend--’tis but a trinket-thing, Perchance not even as much, but give a twist Just so far round that with its tiny shine This stone of dullish red can fling its rays And presto! you are viewless and go striding Like gods enclouded up and down the world. Therefore contemn it not, for once again-- It is a royal ring, and this same day Long since I chose in which to make my present. ’Tis you alone may wear it, no one else. KAN. Why, things before unheard sent even to us Their rumouring; men spoke about a woman, Medea was her name, and arts she plied Such that the very moon was earthwards chanted; But never have I heard of such a ring. Where did you get it, then? GYGES. From out a grave. From out a grave that lies in Thessaly. KAN. You oped a grave and sacrileged its peace? GYGES.