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GRECIAN GUILE.
169

for equal companions? There are many maidens in Greece less difficult to please than I. Persuade or compel thy followers to do as thou hast done, and then thou canst show thine ancestors how well the plan has succeeded—after thirty years—or twenty."

"I cannot," he replied, "make such a change of policy without the consent of my great ancestor and his successors."

"Then," she said, "even thy union with me must rest on their consent, and yet thou didst speak as if thou wouldst compel them to submit."

"But I said, by force of reason and will. Know, once for all, that unless they approve of my conduct, I will not proceed."

"And what is to be my fate, supposing they do not consent? Thou wouldst not leave me to perish?"

"I will do my utmost to save thee, and I