I will about it; but where is the deed to be done? Old Servant In the sacred tent, where he is feasting his friends. Creusa The murder will be too public, and slaves are poor support. Old Servant Ah! thou art turning coward. Devise some scheme thyself. Creusa Well, I too have subtle plans that cannot fail. Old Servant If both conditions they fulfil, I will assist thee. Creusa Hearken then; knowest thou the battle of the earth-born men? Old Servant Surely; the fight at Phlegra waged by giants against the gods. Creusa There Earth brought Gorgon forth, dreadful prodigy. Old Servant To aid her sons maybe, and cause the gods hard toil? Creusa Yea, and Pallas, daughter of Zeus, slew the monster. Old Servant What savage form had it assumed? Creusa A breast-plate of vipers fenced its body. Old Servant Is this the tale I heard in days of yore? Creusa That Athena wears its skin upon her corslet. Old Servant Is it this that Pallas wears, called by men her aegis? Creusa This was the name it received, that day she came to do battle for the gods. Old Servant How, daughter, can this harm thy enemies? Creusa Hast heard of Erichthonius, or no? of course thou hast. Old Servant Him whom Earth produced, the founder of thy race? Creusa To him whilst yet a babe did Pallas give— Old Servant Ha! what? thou hast something yet to add? Creusa Two drops of Gorgon’s blood. Old Servant What power could they exert on the nature of a human creature? Creusa The one with death is fraught, the other cures disease. Old Servant What held them when she tied them to the child’s body? Creusa With links of gold she fastened them; this to my sire did Erichthonius give. Old Servant And at his death it came to thee? Creusa Yea, and here at my wrist I wear it. Old Servant How works the spell of this double gift of Pallas?