The Argonauts

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?