Herald.
Unless, my mandate heeding, each one hies 880
Ship ward, her tunic shall no mercy know.
Chorus.
Ho! City-leaders, princes all,
Your suppliant they now enthrall.
Herald.
Force I must use and drag you by your locks,
Since to my words ye lend no ready ear.
Chorus.
We perish utterly, O king,
Unlooked-for outrage suffering.—
Herald.
Soon many kings, Ægyptos' sons, thou'lt see;—
Cheer up! that rulers fail, ye shall not say.
[Enter King with Attendants.]
King.
Sirrah, what doest thou? Through what conceit
This land dost outrage of Pelasgic men?
Or thinkest to a woman's town art come? 890
Thou, a barbarian,—too insolent
Thy dealing with Hellenes. Having erred
In many things, nought judgest thou aright.
Herald.
How in despite of justice have I erred?