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?
CHORUS. Blessing for thy blessing given, Flow to thee, divine Pelasgian! But for our advisal forthwith Send, we pray thee, for our father; He the firm, the far foreseeing, How to live, and where to lodge us, Duly shall direct. For ever Quick to note the faults of strangers Sways the general tongue; though we Hope all that's good and best from thee.
KING. (_to the attendant maids_) Likewise you, ye maids attendant For his daughters' service, wisely Portioned by the father, here Be your home secure, Far from idle-bruited babblings, 'Neath my wing to dwell!
[_Enter_ DANAUS, _attended by an Argive guard._
DANAUS. Daughters! if so the Olympian gods deserve Your sacrifices, your libations, surely Argos no less may claim them! Argos truly Your Saviour in worst need! With eager ears They drank my tale, indignant the foul deeds Of our fell-purposed cousinship they heard, And for my guard this goodly band they set me Of strong spear-bearing men, lest being slain By the lurking lance of some insidious foe My death bring shame to Argos. Such high honor, From hearts where kindness moves the friendly deed, They heaped the sire withal, that you, the daughters, In father's stead should own them. For the rest, To the chaste precepts graven on your heart That oft I gave, one timely warning add, That time, which proveth all, approve your lives Before this people; for 'gainst the stranger, calumny Flows deftly from the tongue, and cheap traducement Costs not a thought. I charge ye, therefore, daughters, Your age being such that turns the eyes of men To ready gaze, in all ye do consult Your father's honor: such ripe bloom as yours No careless watch demands: so fair a flower Wild beasts and men, monsters of all degrees, Winged and four-footed, wantonly will tear. Her luscious-dropping fruits the Cyprian[f23] hangs In the general view, and publishes their praise;[n54] That whoso passes, and beholds the pomp Of shapeliest beauty, feels the charmed dart That shoots from eye to eye, and vanquished falls By strong desire. Give, therefore, jealous heed That our long toils, and ploughing the deep sea Not fruitless fall; but be your portment such As breeds no shame to us, nor to our enemies Laughter. A double lodgment for our use, One from the state, the other from the king, Rentless we hold. All things look bright. This only, Your father's word, remember. More than life Hold a chaste heart in honor.