"This is no time for gibes.

King Ithobal, since you did not dare to venture yourself again within the walls of our city, we have come to answer the demands you made upon us in the Hall of Audience.

You demanded that our fortifications should be thrown down, and this we refuse, since we do not court destruction.

You demanded that we should cease to enslave men to labour in the mines, and to this we answer that for every man we take we will pay a tax to his lawful chief, or to you as king.

You demanded that the ancient tribute should be doubled.