ACTUS SECUNDUS
Have northern manners; surly if attacked
But genial when——
ARGUS.
The proper treatment is
, Kindness—like lions whom Demeter tamed.
THESEUS.
I promise thee, the next time thou art wroth,
A second kindness from Alcides’ hand.
ARGUS.
Spare me that, King, and take, thyself, a club.
JASON.
King Theseus, thou art far reputed wise.
Hast thou not learnt a lesson from the hap
Of Heracles supreme in—shipbuilding?
I by my meekness will abash thy strength.
Good Argus, thou art unsurpassed in art
To curve the rougher timbers, to make smooth
The joints and girders, and to plane and work
The iron and the nailheads, and to lift
Row after raw the tiers of benches thrice
In triple beauty, and to shape the oars,
To raise the mast-——
ARGUS.
Thy knowledge staggers me!
How wast thou thus instructed?