had so bidden. And when they were all
gathered together in one great throng straightway she spake among them
with stirring words:

"O friends, come let us grant these men gifts to their hearts' desire,
such as it is fitting that they should take on ship-board, food and
sweet wine, in order that they may steadfastly remain outside our
towers, and may not, passing among us for need's sake, get to know us
all too well, and so an evil report be widely spread; for we have
wrought a terrible deed and in nowise will it be to their liking, should
they learn it. Such is our counsel now, but if any of you can devise a
better plan let her rise, for it was on this account that I summoned you
hither."

Thus she spake and sat upon her father's seat of stone, and then rose up
her dear nurse Polyxo, for very age halting upon her withered feet,
bowed over a staff, and she was eager to address them. Near her were
seated four virgins, unwedded, crowned with white hair. And she stood in
the midst of the assembly and from her bent back she feebly raised her
neck and spake thus:

"Gifts, as Hypsipyle herself wishes, let us send to the strangers, for
it is better to give them. But for you what device have ye to get profit
of your life if the Thracian host fall upon us, or some other foe, as
often happens among men, even as now this company is come unforeseen?
But if one of the blessed gods should turn this aside yet countless
other woes worse than battle, remain behind, when the aged women die off
and ye younger ones, without children, reach hateful old age. How then
will ye live, hapless ones? Will your oxen of their own accord yoke
themselves for the deep ploughlands and draw the earth-cleaving share
through the fallow, and forthwith, as the year comes round, reap the
harvest? Assuredly, though the fates till now have shunned me in horror,
I deem that in the coming year I shall put on the garment of earth, when
I have received my meed of burial even so as is right, before the evil
days draw near. But I bid you who are younger give good heed to this.
For now at your feet a way of escape lies open, if ye trust to the
strangers the care of your homes and all your stock and your glorious
city."

Thus she spake, and the assembly was filled with clamour. For the word
pleased them. And after her straightway Hypsipyle rose up again, and
thus spake in reply.

"If this purpose please you all, now will I even send a messenger to the
ship."