Dem. 'Tis harm to me, if I let them be haled away by thee.
Cop. Banish them thyself, and then will I take them from elsewhere.
Dem. Nature made thee a fool, to think thou knowest better than the god.
Cop. It seems then evildoers are to find a refuge here.
Dem. A temple of the gods is an asylum open to the world.
Cop. Maybe they will not take this view in Mycenæ.
Dem. What! am I not lord of this domain?
Cop. So long as thou injure not the Argives, and if[1] wise, thou wilt not.
Dem. Be injured for all I care, provided I sin not against the gods.
Cop. I would not have thee come to blows with Argos.
Dem. I am of like mind in this; but I will not dismiss these from my protection.
Cop. For all that, I shall take and drag my own away.
Dem. Why then perhaps thou wilt find a difficulty in returning to Argos.
Cop. That shall I soon find out by making the attempt.
Dem. Touch them and thou shalt rue it, and that without delay.
Cho. I conjure thee, never dare to strike a herald.
Dem. Strike I will, unless that herald learn discretion.
Cho. Depart; and thou, O king, touch him not.
Cop. I go; for 'tis feeble fighting with a single arm. But I will come again, bringing hither a host of Argive troops, spearmen clad in bronze; for countless warriors are awaiting my return, and king Eurystheus in person at their head; [2]
