XXXIII.
“And him, as best he might, would fain persuade
‘To leave to Lydia’s monarch his domain,
‘Upon whose wasted lands his host had preyed,
‘And rest content with his Armenian reign.’
—‘He would not hear of this (the monarch said,
With cheeks with fury swolen) ‘nor would refrain
‘From pressing Lydia’s king with armed band,
‘So long as he possessed a palm of land;
XXXIV.
‘And if the knight, when a vile woman sues,
‘His purpose shift, let him the evil bear:
‘He will not, for the warrior’s asking, lose
‘What he has hardly conquered in a year.’
“Alcestes to the king his suit renews,
“And next complains, that he rejects his prayer.
“At length the Thracian fires, and threatens high,
“By love or force the monarch shall comply.
XXXV.
“So kindling anger waxed between the two,
“It urged them from ill words to worser deed:
“Upon the king his sword Alcestes drew;
“Though thousands aid the monarch in his need,
“And, in despite of all, their sovereign slew[7];
“And made that day as well the Armenians bleed,
“Backed by the Thracians’ and Cilicians’ aid
“And other followers, by the warrior paid.
