What shall this determine?—tell me, for mine heart is full of dread.

Death or life. The word that names the dateless doom is quickly said.

Flee then: yonder palace-halls forsake thou: with thy sister flee.

Seest thou not?—warded round on every hand by guards are we.⁠760

Lines of spears and shields I marked: the pass of every street they close.

Yea, beleaguered are we, even as a city by her foes.

Ask me also of my plight; for, like to thee, undone am I.

Yea?—of whom? This shall be evil heaped on my calamity.

Strophius banished me mine home: my father's wrath hath thrust me thence.⁠765

What the charge? 'Twixt thee and him?—or hath the nation found offence?