Him Leda's conquering son accosted first:--
POLYDEUCES.
Luck to thee, friend unknown! Who own this shore?
AMYCUS.
Luck, quotha, to see men ne'er seen before!
POLYDEUCES.
Fear not, no base or base-born herd are we.
AMYCUS.
Nothing I fear, nor need learn this from thee.
POLYDEUCES.
What art thou? brutish churl, or o'erproud king?
AMYCUS.
E'en what thou see'st: and I am not trespassing.
POLYDEUCES.
Visit our land, take gifts from us, and go.
AMYCUS.
I seek naught from thee and can naught bestow.
POLYDEUCES.
Not e'en such grace as from yon spring to sip?
AMYCUS.
Try, if parched thirst sits languid on thy lip.
POLYDEUCES.
Can silver move thee? or if not, what can?
AMYCUS.
Stand up and fight me singly, man with man.
POLYDEUCES.
With fists? or fist and foot, eye covering eye?
AMYCUS.
Fall to with fists; and all thy cunning try.
POLYDEUCES.
This arm, these gauntlets, who shall dare withstand?
AMYCUS.
I: and "the Bruiser" lifts no woman's-hand.
POLYDEUCES.
Wilt thou, to crown our strife, some meed assign?
AMYCUS.
Thou shalt be called my master, or I thine.
POLYDEUCES.
By crimson-crested cocks such games are won.
AMYCUS.
Lions or cocks, we'll play this game or none.
He spoke, and clutched a hollow shell, and blew
His clarion.
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