Pel. But if these Spartans hear
They'll sack the city! Zeus deliver us!
We're lost! we're lost! Oh, Biades!
Bia. [Calm] Talk in a muff, good father Pelagon,
Or we indeed are lost.
Pel. You'll keep the secret?
Bia. A time. I've plans in seed will make all Sparta
A garden for my Athens, where her fame
Shall browse to its tallest. Trust me, Pelagon.
I'm still a general!
[Enter, lower right, young men who surround Biades, and press him off, singing]
Gander now must keep with goose! Biades, O, Biades, Thou shalt ne'er the cord unloose, For the mighty god decrees He shall hang who dares the noose!
[Re-enter Stesilaus]
Ste. He's gone? I took
My anger off where it might safely blow.
This path brushed clear by Heaven must not be closed
By our stumbling selves. The widgeon! He would fly
Above the eagle, but I'll snip his feathers,
Give me good time! He'd live in Athens, ha!
And swore on Hera's altar he would be
A son of Sparta!
Pel. Nay, I noted, sir,
That Sparta was not named in 's oath.
Ste. What now?