Ah, you know better? LESBIA. Ho, have you ever heard it here a-swishing? And is a lake untroublous as yourself? RHOD. I will not question further, for I know You’ll not do thus again. Ne’er fell a maiden So soft as you, nor e’er was frighted so. LESBIA. Yes, all her limbs were swooned away. HERO. And never Ought I have fallen, for a stronger bough Was near enough; but as it moved it swayed A nest with young ones, and I would beware Of trampling on them lest the tender brood, Its featherless wings already in a flutter, Be thrown in flurry. LESBIA. This then was the cause? Yet they flew up. You ended with a grasp, There’s not a doubt, a desperate grasp for safety. RHOD. Tease long as e’er you will; this is the day On which the cabined house for you is open; Now to it as you may and sate your eyes! HERO. And you? RHOD. Nay, eye not me. What’s granted you Is merely not forbid to me. To-day I cannot be your paragon and pattern. HERO. And once again you will not see the feast? RHOD. Nay, lest my presence mar your merry frolic. With us it is not wont, and I should feel As though I were to eat and have no hunger Or drink and feel no thirst. It seems to me That we’ve a better way at home than yours, For ne’er without a shudder turn you home From feasts like these whose outset is so luring. And her I love most dearly who most deeply Can thrill with pain nor goes a second time. But that would not show blame in you--why, no! Only I’m happy that my Lesbia, Who’s grown to woman with you, feels as I. LESBIA. Will you to-day forgive me---- RHOD. Why, what’s this? And what must I forgive you? You would go? Oh, but to take my praise back! Now she’s shamed, Ashamed to be the daughter of her folk, And has no cause. Am I myself aught other? Go, go, and tell me who the victor was. HERO. Young Gyges too will surely join the fighting, He of the noble voice. RHOD. So soon you know How rings his voice? HERO. Oh, yes--but nothing more. To-day we’ll see him, and believe my words, She goes, like us, only for him. LESBIA. But I May cheat you, and remaining prove your falsehood. HERO. Oh, that you’ll never do. [KANDAULES _enters in haste_. KAN.