I clasp his welcome hand in mine! For the rest I stay silent; a great ox stands upon my tongueA proverbial expression (of uncertain origin) for enforced silence; cf. fr. 176, A key stands guard upon my tongue.
—yet the house itself, could it but speak, might tell a plain enough tale; since, for my part, by my own choice I have words for those who know, and to those who do not know, I’ve lost my memory. He descends by an inner stairway; attendants kindle fires at the altars placed in front of the palace. Enter the chorus of Argive Elders