tell about it. But the neatest way to narrate my story--
and the words to use--I must practise a bit by myself
beforehand here.

Principio ut illo advenimus, ubi primum terram tetigimus,
continuo Amphitruo delegit viros primorum principes;
eos legat, Telobois iubet sententiam ut dicant suam;
si sine vi et sine hello velint rapta et raptores tradere,
si quae asportassent redderent, se exercitum extemplo domum
reducturum, abituros agro Argivos, pacem atque otium
dare illis; sin aliter sient animati neque dent quae petat,
sese igitur summa vi virisque eorum oppidum oppugnassere. 210

(_pauses_) Here's how we'll begin. (_lays lantern down and
addresses supposed Alcmena importantly_) First and foremost,
when we reached there, as soon as we had touched land,
straightway Amphitryon picks out the most illustrous of his
captains. These he sends forth as legates and bids convey
his terms to the Teloboians, to wit: should they wish,
without contention and without strife, to deliver up pillage
and pillagers and restore whatsoever they had carried off,
he himself would lead his army home forthwith and the
Argives would leave their land and grant them peace and
quietude; but were they otherwise disposed, and disinclined
to yield what he sought, he would thereupon with all the
force at his command make onslaught on their city.

Haec ubi Telobois ordine iterarunt quos praefecerat
Amphitruo, magnanimi viri freti virtute et viribus
superbe nimis ferociter legates nostros increpant,
respondent bello se et suos tutari posse, proinde uti
propere irent, de suis finibus exercitus deducerent.
haec ubi legati pertulere, Amphitruo castris ilico
producit omnem exercitum. Teloboae contra ex oppido
legiones educunt suas nimis pulcris armis praeditas.

When Amphitryon's ambassadors had duly made this
proclamation to the Teloboians, they, doughty warriors,
confiding in their courage and glorying in their strength,
made right rough and haughty answer to our embassy, saying
that they could defend themselves and theirs by force of
arms, and that accordingly they should depart at once
and lead their troops out from the Teloboian borders. On
receiving this report from his legates, Amphitryon at once
led forth his whole army from camp. And from the city, too,