Sakon, according to our ancient law you have the right to give your daughter in marriage where and when you will.

We demand, therefore, that for the good of the commonwealth, you should exercise this right, and hand over the lady Elissa to king Ithobal." This speech was received with loud and general shouts of approval, for no Phoenician audience would have been willing to sacrifice its interests for a thing so trivial as the happiness of a woman.
"Between the desire of a beloved daughter to whom I have pledged my word and my duty to the great city over which I rule, my strait is hard indeed," answered Sakon.

"Hearken, king Ithobal, I must have time.

Give me eight days from now in which to answer you, for if you will not, I deny your suit." Ithobal seemed about to refuse the demand of Sakon.

Then once more his counsellors plucked him by the sleeve, pointing out to him that if he did this, it was likely that none of them would leave the city alive.