I can offer him a prospect of an addition to the gift of land I made today, and which fell far short of his demands." "Let me entreat your majesty," interposed Eulaeus, who was now alone with the royal couple, "let me entreat you not to make any great promises on this occasion, for the moment you do so Asclepiodorus will attribute an importance to your desire--" "Which it is far from having, and must not seem to have," interrupted the queen.

"It is preposterous to waste so many words about a miserable creature, a water-carrying girl, and to go through so much disturbance--but how are we to put an end to it all?
What is your advice, Eulaeus ?" "I thank you for that enquiry, noble princess," replied Eulaeus.

"My lord, the king, in my opinion, should have the girl carried off, but not with any violence, nor by a man--whom she would hardly follow so immediately as is necessary--but by a woman.
"I am thinking of the old Egyptian tale of 'The Two Brothers,' which you are acquainted with.

The Pharaoh desired to possess himself of the wife of the younger one, who lived on the Mount of Cedars, and he sent armed men to fetch her away; but only one of them came back to him, for Batau had slain all the others.

Then a woman was sent with splendid ornaments, such as women love, and the fair one followed her unresistingly to the palace.
"We may spare the ambassadors, and send only the woman; your lady in waiting, Zoe, will execute this commission admirably.