---
title: "Children of Heracles · Ἡρακλεῖδαι"
author: "Euripides"
translator: "Edward P. Coleridge"
languages: [grc, en]
shelf: "Classical Greek"
section: 2 of 2
url: https://scriptura.si/works/euripides-heracleidae/2/
cite: "Euripides, tr. Edward P. Coleridge, Children of Heracles · Ἡρακλεῖδαι, section 2. Scriptura (scriptura.si), https://scriptura.si/works/euripides-heracleidae/2/"
---

# Children of Heracles · Ἡρακλεῖδαι

*Euripides, tr. Edward P. Coleridge*

Heracles’ children, hunted by Eurystheus, take refuge in Athens.

> Greek: ed. Gilbert Murray, from the Perseus Digital Library (canonical-greekLit, tlg0006.tlg004, CC BY-SA 4.0).

> English: Edward P. Coleridge, from the Perseus Digital Library (tlg0006.tlg004.perseus-eng2). Notes are not included.

> Rows follow the references the two texts share (line numbers), cut where both reach the end of a sentence.

## 2. Lines 520–1055

Source: https://scriptura.si/works/euripides-heracleidae/2/ · cite a paragraph as https://scriptura.si/works/euripides-heracleidae/2/#p-N

[¶0] Iolaus:
Daughter, thou art his own true child, no other man’s but Heracles’,
that godlike soul; proud am I of thy words, though I sorrow for thy lot. Yet will I propose a fairer method:’tis right to summon hither all the sisters of this maiden,
and then let her, on whom the lot shall fall, die for her family; for that thou shouldst die without the lot is not just.

> Greek: Ἰόλαος:
ὦ τέκνον, οὐκ ἔστʼ ἄλλοθεν τὸ σὸν κάρα,
ἀλλʼ ἐξ ἐκείνου σπέρμα τῆς θείας φρενὸς
πέφυκας Ἡράκλειος· οὐδʼ αἰσχύνομαι
τοῖς σοῖς λόγοισι, τῇ τύχῃ δʼ ἀλγύνομαι.
ἀλλʼ ᾗ γένοιτʼ ἂν ἐνδικωτέρως φράσω·
πάσας ἀδελφὰς τῆσδε δεῦρο χρὴ καλεῖν,
κᾆθʼ ἡ λαχοῦσα θνῃσκέτω γένους ὕπερ·
σὲ δʼ οὐ δίκαιον κατθανεῖν ἄνευ πάλου.

[¶1] Macaria:
My death shall no chance lot decide; there is no graciousness in that; peace! old friend. But if ye accept and will avail you
of my readiness, freely do I offer my life for these, and without constraint.

> Greek: Μακαρία:
οὐκ ἂν θάνοιμι τῇ τύχῃ λαχοῦσʼ ἐγώ·
χάρις γὰρ οὐ πρόσεστι· μὴ λέξῃς, γέρον.
ἀλλʼ, εἰ μὲν ἐνδέχεσθε καὶ βούλεσθέ μοι
χρῆσθαι προθύμως, τὴν ἐμὴν ψυχὴν ἐγὼ
δίδωμʼ ἑκοῦσα τοῖσδʼ, ἀναγκασθεῖσα δʼ οὔ.

[¶2] Iolaus:
Ah, this is even nobler than thy former word; that was matchless, but thou dost now surpass
thy bravery and noble speech. I cannot bid, will not forbid thy dying, Omy daughter! for by thy death thou dost thy brothers serve.

> Greek: Ἰόλαος:
φεῦ·
ὅδʼ αὖ λόγος σοι τοῦ πρὶν εὐγενέστερος·
κἀκεῖνος ἦν ἄριστος· ἀλλʼ ὑπερφέρεις
τόλμῃ τε τόλμαν καὶ λόγῳ χρηστῷ λόγον.
οὐ μὴν κελεύω γʼ οὐδʼ ἀπεννέπω, τέκνον,
θνῄσκειν σʼ· ἀδελφοὺς δʼ ὠφελεῖς θανοῦσα σούς.

[¶3] Macaria:
A cautious bidding thine! Fear not to take a stain of guilt from me; only let me die as one whose death is free.
Follow me, old friend, for in thy arms I fain would die; stand by and veil my body with my robe, for I will go even to the dreadful doom of sacrifice, seeing whose daughter I avow myself.

> Greek: Μακαρία:
σοφῶς κελεύεις· μὴ τρέσῃς μιάσματος
τοὐμοῦ μετασχεῖν, ἀλλʼ ἐλευθέρως θάνω.
ἕπου δέ, πρέσβυ· σῇ γὰρ ἐνθανεῖν χερὶ
θέλω· πέπλοις δὲ σῶμʼ ἐμὸν κρύψον παρών·
ἐπεὶ σφαγῆς γε πρὸς τὸ δεινὸν εἶμʼ ἐγώ,
εἴπερ πέφυκα πατρὸς οὗπερ εὔχομαι.

[¶4] Iolaus:
I cannot stand by and see thee bleed.

> Greek: Ἰόλαος:
οὐκ ἂν δυναίμην σῷ παρεστάναι μόρῳ.

[¶5] Macaria:
At least do thou beg me this boon of the king, that I may breathe out my life in women’s arms instead of men’s.

> Greek: Μακαρία:
σὺ δʼ ἀλλὰ τοῦδε χρῇζε, μή μʼ ἐν ἀρσένων,
ἀλλʼ ἐν γυναικῶν, χερσὶν ἐκπνεῦσαι βίον.

[¶6] Demophon:
It shall be so, unhappy maid; for this were shame to me to refuse thee honour due, for many reasons: because thou hast a soul so brave; because
’tis right; and thou hast shown more courage than any of thy sex my eyes have ever seen. Now, if thou hast aught to say to these children or thy aged guide, oh! say the last thou hast to say—then go.

> Greek: Δημοφῶν:
ἔσται τάδʼ, ὦ τάλαινα παρθένων, ἐπεὶ
κἀμοὶ τόδʼ αἰσχρόν, μή σε κοσμεῖσθαι καλῶς,
πολλῶν ἕκατι, τῆς τε σῆς εὐψυχίας
καὶ τοῦ δικαίου· τλημονεστάτην δὲ σὲ
πασῶν γυναικῶν εἶδον ὀφθαλμοῖς ἐγώ.
ἀλλʼ, εἴ τι βούλῃ, τούσδε τὸν γέροντά τε
χώρει προσειποῦσʼ ὑστάτοις προσφθέγμασιν.

[¶7] Macaria:
Farewell, old friend, farewell! and prithee teach
these children to be like thyself, wise at every point; let them strive no further, for that will suffice them. And seek to save them from death, even as thou art anxious to do; thy children are we, thy care it was that nurtured us. Thou seest how I yield my bridal
bloom to die for them. For you, my brothers gathered here, may you be happy! and may every blessing be yours, for the which my blood shall pay the price! Honour this old friend, and her that is within the house,
Alcmena, the aged mother of my sire, and these strangers too. And if ever heaven for you devise release from trouble and a return to your home, remember the burial due to her that saved you, a funeral fair as I deserve; for I have not failed,
but stood by you, and died to save my race. This shall be my pearl of price instead of children, and for the maiden life I leave, if there be really aught beyond the grave—God grant there may not be! For if, e’en there, we who are to die shall find a life of care,
I know not whither one shall turn; for death is held a sovereign cure for every ill.

> Greek: Μακαρία:
ὦ χαῖρε, πρέσβυ, χαῖρε καὶ δίδασκέ μοι
τοιούσδε τούσδε παῖδας, ἐς τὸ πᾶν σοφούς,
ὥσπερ σύ, μηδὲν μᾶλλον· ἀρκέσουσι γάρ.
πειρῶ δὲ σῶσαι μὴ θανεῖν, πρόθυμος ὤν·
σοὶ παῖδές ἐσμεν, σαῖν χεροῖν τεθράμμεθα.
ὁρᾷς δὲ κἀμὲ τὴν ἐμὴν ὥραν γάμου
διδοῦσαν ἀντὶ τῶνδε κατθανουμένην.
ὑμεῖς τʼ, ἀδελφῶν ἡ παροῦσʼ ὁμιλία,
εὐδαιμονοῖτε, καὶ γένοιθʼ ὑμῖν ὅσων
ἡμὴ πάροιθε καρδία σφαγήσεται.
καὶ τὸν γέροντα τήν τʼ ἔσω γραῖαν δόμων
τιμᾶτε πατρὸς μητέρʼ Ἀλκμήνην ἐμοῦ
ξένους τε τούσδε. κἂν ἀπαλλαγὴ πόνων
καὶ νόστος ὑμῖν εὑρεθῇ ποτʼ ἐκ θεῶν,
μέμνησθε τὴν σώτειραν ὡς θάψαι χρεών.
κάλλιστά τοι δίκαιον· οὐ γὰρ ἐνδεὴς
ὑμῖν παρέστην, ἀλλὰ προύθανον γένους.
τάδʼ ἀντὶ παίδων ἐστί μοι κειμήλια
καὶ παρθενείας, εἴ τι δὴ κάτω χθονός·
εἴη γε μέντοι μηδέν. εἰ γὰρ ἕξομεν
κἀκεῖ μερίμνας οἱ θανούμενοι βροτῶν,
οὐκ οἶδ’ ὅποι τις τρέψεται· τὸ γὰρ θανεῖν
κακῶν μέγιστον φάρμακον νομίζεται.

[¶8] Iolaus:
Maiden of heroic soul, transcending all thy race, be sure the fame that thou shalt win from us, in life, in death, shall leave the rest of women far behind;
farewell to thee! I dare not say harsh words of her to whom thou art devoted, the goddess-daughter of Demeter. [Exit Macaria.] Children, I am undone, grief unnerves my limbs; take hold and support me to a seat hard by, when ye have drawn my mantle o’er my face, my sons.
For I am grieved at what hath happened, and yet, were it not fulfilled, we could not live; thus were the mischief worse, though this is grief enough.

> Greek: Ἰόλαος:
ἀλλʼ, ὦ μέγιστον ἐκπρέπουσʼ εὐψυχίᾳ
πασῶν γυναικῶν, ἴσθι, τιμιωτάτη
καὶ ζῶσʼ ὑφʼ ἡμῶν καὶ θανοῦσʼ ἔσῃ πολύ·
καὶ χαῖρε· δυσφημεῖν γὰρ ἅζομαι θεάν,
ᾗ σὸν κατῆρκται σῶμα, Δήμητρος κόρην.
ὦ παῖδες, οἰχόμεσθα· λύεται μέλη
λύπῃ· λάβεσθε κεἰς ἕδραν μʼ ἐρείσατε
αὐτοῦ πέπλοισι τοῖσδε κρύψαντες, τέκνα.
ὡς οὔτε τούτοις ἥδόμαι πεπραγμένοις,
χρησμοῦ τε μὴ κρανθέντος οὐ βιώσιμον·
μείζων γὰρ ἄτη· συμφορὰ δὲ καὶ τάδε.

[¶9] Chorus:
Without the will of heaven none is blest, none curst, I do maintain;
nor doth the same house for ever tread the path of bliss; for one kind of fortune follows hard upon another; one man it brings to naught from his high estate, another though of no account it crowns with happiness.
To shun what fate decrees, is no wise permitted; none by cunning shall thrust it from him; but he, who vainly would do so, shall have unceasing trouble.

> Greek: Χορός:
οὔτινά φημι θεῶν ἄτερ ὄλβιον, οὐ βαρύποτμον,
ἄνδρα γενέσθαι·
οὐδὲ τὸν αὐτὸν ἀεὶ βεβάναι δόμον
εὐτυχίᾳ· παρὰ δʼ ἄλλαν ἄλλα
μοῖρα διώκει.
τὸν μὲν ἀφʼ ὑψηλῶν βραχὺν ᾤκισε,
τὸν δʼ ἀλέταν εὐδαίμονα τεύχει.
μόρσιμα δʼ οὔτι φυγεῖν θέμις, οὐ σοφί-
ᾳ τις ἀπώσεται, ἀλλὰ μάταν ὁ πρό-
θυμος ἀεὶ πόνον ἕξει.

[¶10] Chorus:
Then fall not prostrate thou, but bear what heaven sends, and set a limit
to thy soul’s grief; for she, poor maid! in dying for her brothers and this land, hath won a glorious death, and splendid fame shall be her meed from all mankind;
for virtue’s path leads through troublous ways. Worthy of her father, worthy of her noble birth is this conduct. And if thou dost honour the virtuous dead, I share with thee that sentiment.

> Greek: Χορός:
ἀλλὰ σὺ μὴ προπίτνων τὰ θεῶν φέρε, μηδʼ ὑπεράλγει
φροντίδα λύπᾳ·
εὐδόκιμον γὰρ ἔχει θανάτου μέρος
ἁ μελέα πρό τʼ ἀδελφῶν καὶ γᾶς·
οὐδʼ ἀκλεής νιν
δόξα πρὸς ἀνθρώπων ὑποδέξεται·
ἁ δʼ ἀρετὰ βαίνει διὰ μόχθων.
ἄξια μὲν πατρός, ἄξια δʼ εὐγενί-
ας τάδε γίγνεται· εἰ δὲ σέβεις θανά-
τους ἀγαθῶν, μετέχω σοι.
…
…
…
…

[¶11] Servant (of Hyllus):
All hail, ye children! Where is aged Iolaus? where the mother of your sire, absent from their place at this altar?

> Greek: Θεράπων:
ὦ τέκνα, χαίρετʼ· Ἰόλεως δὲ ποῦ γέρων;
μήτηρ τε πατρὸς τῆσδʼ ἕδρας ἀποστατεῖ;

[¶12] Iolaus:
Here am I, so far as I can be present at all.

> Greek: Ἰόλαος:
πάρεσμεν, οἵα δή γʼ ἐμοῦ παρουσία.

[¶13] Servant (of Hyllus):
Why dost thou lie there? Why that downcast look?

> Greek: Θεράπων:
τί χρῆμα κεῖσαι καὶ κατηφὲς ὄμμʼ ἔχεις;

[¶14] Iolaus:
There is come a sorrow on my house, whereby I am distressed.

> Greek: Ἰόλαος:
φροντίς τις ἦλθʼ οἰκεῖος, ᾗ συνειχόμην.

[¶15] Servant (of Hyllus):
Arise, lift up thy head.

> Greek: Θεράπων:
ἔπαιρέ νυν σεαυτόν, ὄρθωσον κάρα.

[¶16] Iolaus:
I am old, and all my strength is gone.

> Greek: Ἰόλαος:
γέροντές ἐσμεν κοὐδαμῶς ἐρρώμεθα.

[¶17] Servant (of Hyllus):
But I come with tidings of great joy for thee.

> Greek: Θεράπων:
ἥκω γε μέντοι χάρμα σοι φέρων μέγα.

[¶18] Iolaus:
Who art thou? Where have I met thee? I have no remembrance.

> Greek: Ἰόλαος:
τίς δʼ εἶ σύ; ποῦ σοι συντυχὼν ἀμνημονῶ;

[¶19] Servant (of Hyllus):
I am a vassal of Hyllus; dost not recognize me now?

> Greek: Θεράπων:
Ὕλλου πενέστης· οὔ με γιγνώσκεις ὁρῶν;

[¶20] Iolaus:
Best of friends, art thou come to save us twain from hurt?

> Greek: Ἰόλαος:
ὦ φίλταθʼ, ἥκεις ἆρα σωτὴρ νῷν βλάβης;

[¶21] Servant (of Hyllus):
Assuredly; and moreover thou art lucky in the present case.

> Greek: Θεράπων:
μάλιστα· καὶ πρός γʼ εὐτυχεῖς τὰ νῦν τάδε.

[¶22] Iolaus:
Alcmena, mother of a noble son, to thee I call! come forth, hear this welcome news. For long has anguish caused thee inwardly to waste, wondering if those,
who now are here, would ever come.

> Greek: Ἰόλαος:
ὦ μῆτερ ἐσθλοῦ παιδός, Ἀλκμήνην λέγω,
ἔξελθʼ, ἄκουσον τοῦδε φιλτάτους λόγους.
πάλαι γὰρ ὠδίνουσα τῶν ἀφιγμένων
ψυχὴν ἐτήκου νόστος εἰ γενήσεται.

[¶23] Alcmena:
What means that shout, that echoes throughout the house? Hath there come yet a herald from Argos, O Iolaus, and is he treating thee with violence? Feeble is any strength of mine; yet thus much let me tell thee, stranger,
never, whilst I live, shalt thou drag them hence. Shouldst thou succeed, no more let me be thought the mother of that hero. And if thou lay a finger on them, thou wilt struggle to thy shame with two aged foes.

> Greek: Ἀλκμήνη:
τί χρῆμʼ ἀϋτῆς πᾶν τόδʼ ἐπλήσθη στέγος
Ἰόλαε; μῶν τίς σʼ αὖ βιάζεται παρὼν
κῆρυξ ἀπʼ Ἄργους; ἀσθενὴς μὲν ἥ γʼ ἐμὴ
ῥώμη, τοσόνδε δʼ εἰδέναι σʼ ἐχρῆν, ξένε,
οὐκ ἔστʼ ἄγειν σε τούσδʼ ἐμοῦ ζώσης ποτέ.
ἦ τἄρ’ ἐκείνου μὴ νομιζοίμην ἐγὼ
μήτηρ ἔτʼ· εἰ δὲ τῶνδε προσθίξῃ χερί,
δυοῖν γερόντοιν οὐ καλῶς ἀγωνιῇ.

[¶24] Iolaus:
Courage, aged dame, fear not; not from Argos
is a herald come, with hostile messages.

> Greek: Ἰόλαος:
θάρσει, γεραιά, μὴ τρέσῃς· οὐκ Ἀργόθεν
κῆρυξ ἀφῖκται πολεμίους λόγους ἔχων.

[¶25] Alcmena:
Why then didst raise a cry, fear’s harbinger?

> Greek: Ἀλκμήνη:
τί γὰρ βοὴν ἔστησας ἄγγελον φόβου;

[¶26] Iolaus:
I called thee to come to me in front of this temple.

> Greek: Ἰόλαος:
σέ, πρόσθε ναοῦ τοῦδʼ ὅπως βαίης πέλας.

[¶27] Alcmena:
I know not what it means; who is this?

> Greek: Ἀλκμήνη:
οὐκ ἴσμεν ἡμεῖς ταῦτα· τίς γάρ ἐσθʼ ὅδε;

[¶28] Iolaus:
A messenger who says thy grandson cometh hither.

> Greek: Ἰόλαος:
ἥκοντα παῖδα παιδὸς ἀγγέλλει σέθεν.

[¶29] Alcmena:
All hail to thee for these thy tidings! But why is he not here, where is he? if in this land he hath set foot. What hath happened to keep him from coming hither with thee, to cheer my heart?

> Greek: Ἀλκμήνη:
ὦ χαῖρε καὶ σὺ τοῖσδε τοῖς ἀγγέλμασιν.
ἀτὰρ τί χώρᾳ τῇδε προσβαλὼν πόδα
ποῦ νῦν ἄπεστι; τίς νιν εἶργε συμφορὰ
σὺν σοὶ φανέντα δεῦρʼ ἐμὴν τέρψαι φρένα;

[¶30] Servant (of Hyllus):
He is posting the army he brought with him, and seeing it marshalled.

> Greek: Θεράπων:
στρατὸν καθίζει τάσσεταί θʼ ὃν ἦλθʼ ἔχων.

[¶31] Alcmena:
Then have I no concern herein.

> Greek: Ἀλκμήνη:
τοῦδʼ οὐκέθʼ ἡμῖν τοῦ λόγου μέτεστι δή.

[¶32] Iolaus:
Yes, thou hast; though it is my business to inquire into these matters.

> Greek: Ἰόλαος:
μέτεστιν· ἡμῶν δʼ ἔργον ἱστορεῖν τάδε.

[¶33] Servant (of Hyllus):
What then wouldst thou learn of these events?

> Greek: Θεράπων:
τί δῆτα βούλῃ τῶν πεπραγμένων μαθεῖν;

[¶34] Iolaus:
About how many allies has he with him?

> Greek: Ἰόλαος:
πόσον τι πλῆθος συμμάχων πάρεστʼ ἔχων;

[¶35] Servant (of Hyllus):
A numerous force; I cannot otherwise describe the number.

> Greek: Θεράπων:
πολλούς· ἀριθμὸν δʼ ἄλλον οὐκ ἔχω φράσαι.

[¶36] Iolaus:
The leaders of the Athenians know this, I suppose?

> Greek: Ἰόλαος:
ἴσασιν, οἶμαι, ταῦτʼ· Ἀθηναίων πρόμοι;

[¶37] Servant (of Hyllus):
They do; already is their left wing set in array.

> Greek: Θεράπων:
ἴσασι· καὶ δὴ λαιὸν ἕστηκεν κέρας.

[¶38] Iolaus:
Is then the host already armed for battle?

> Greek: Ἰόλαος:
ἤδη γὰρ ὡς ἐς ἔργον ὥπλισται στρατός;

[¶39] Servant (of Hyllus):
Yea, and already are the victims brought near the ranks.

> Greek: Θεράπων:
καὶ δὴ παρῆκται σφάγια τάξεων ἑκάς.

[¶40] Iolaus:
About what distance is the Argive host from us?

> Greek: Ἰόλαος:
πόσον τι δʼ ἔστʼ ἄπωθεν Ἀργεῖον δόρυ;

[¶41] Servant (of Hyllus):
Near enough for their general to be plainly seen.

> Greek: Θεράπων:
ὥστʼ ἐξορᾶσθαι τὸν στρατηγὸν ἐμφανῶς.

[¶42] Iolaus:
What is he about? marshalling the enemy’s line?

> Greek: Ἰόλαος:
τί δρῶντα; μῶν τάσσοντα πολεμίων στίχας;

[¶43] Servant (of Hyllus):
So we guessed; we could not hear exactly. But I must go, for I would not that my master should engage the foe without me, if I can help it.

> Greek: Θεράπων:
ᾐκάζομεν ταῦτʼ· οὐ γὰρ ἐξηκούομεν.
ἀλλʼ εἶμ’· ἐρήμους δεσπότας τοὐμὸν μέρος
οὐκ ἂν θέλοιμι πολεμίοισι συμβαλεῖν.

[¶44] Iolaus:
I also will go with thee; for I like thee am minded, so it seems, to be there and help my friends.

> Greek: Ἰόλαος:
κἄγωγε σὺν σοί· ταὐτὰ γὰρ φροντίζομεν,
φίλοις παρόντες, ὡς ἔοιγμεν, ὠφελεῖν.

[¶45] Servant (of Hyllus):
It least of all becomes thee thus to utter words of folly.

> Greek: Θεράπων:
ἥκιστα πρὸς σοῦ μῶρον ἦν εἰπεῖν ἔπος.

[¶46] Iolaus:
Far less to shrink from sharing with my friends the stubborn fight.

> Greek: Ἰόλαος:
καὶ μὴ μετασχεῖν γʼ ἀλκίμου μάχης φίλοις.

[¶47] Servant (of Hyllus):
Mere looks can wound no one, if the arm do naught.

> Greek: Θεράπων:
οὐκ ἔστʼ ἐν ὄψει τραῦμα μὴ δρώσης χερός.

[¶48] Iolaus:
Why, cannot I smite even through their shields?

> Greek: Ἰόλαος:
τί δʼ; οὐ σθένοιμι κἂν ἐγὼ δι’ ἀσπίδος;

[¶49] Servant (of Hyllus):
Smite perhaps, more likely be smitten thyself.

> Greek: Θεράπων:
σθένοις ἄν, ἀλλὰ πρόσθεν αὐτὸς ἂν πέσοις.

[¶50] Iolaus:
No foe will dare to meet me face to face.

> Greek: Ἰόλαος:
οὐδεὶς ἔμʼ ἐχθρῶν προσβλέπων ἀνέξεται.

[¶51] Servant (of Hyllus):
Friend, the strength, that erst was thine, is thine no more,

> Greek: Θεράπων:
οὐκ ἔστιν, ὦ τᾶν, ἥ ποτʼ ἦν ῥώμη σέθεν.

[¶52] Iolaus:
Well, at any rate, I will fight with as many as ever I did.

> Greek: Ἰόλαος:
ἀλλʼ οὖν μαχοῦνται γʼ ἀριθμὸν οὐκ ἐλάσσοσι.

[¶53] Servant (of Hyllus):
Small the weight thou canst throw into the balance for thy friends.

> Greek: Θεράπων:
σμικρὸν τὸ σὸν σήκωμα προστίθης φίλοις.

[¶54] Iolaus:
Detain me not, when I have girded myself for action.

> Greek: Ἰόλαος:
μή τοί μʼ ἔρυκε δρᾶν παρεσκευασμένον.

[¶55] Servant (of Hyllus):
The power to act is thine no more, the will maybe is there.

> Greek: Θεράπων:
δρᾶν μὲν σύ γʼ οὐχ οἷός τε, βούλεσθαι δʼ ἴσως.

[¶56] Iolaus:
Stay here I will not, say what else thou wilt

> Greek: Ἰόλαος:
ὡς μὴ μενοῦντα τἄλλα σοι λέγειν πάρα.

[¶57] Servant (of Hyllus):
How shalt thou show thyself before the troops unarmed?

> Greek: Θεράπων:
πῶς οὖν ὁπλίταις τευχέων ἄτερ φανῇ;

[¶58] Iolaus:
There be captured arms within this shrine; these will I use, and, if I live, restore; and, if I am slain, the god will not demand them of me back. Go thou within, and from its peg take down a suit of armour and forthwith bring it to me.
To linger thus at home is infamous, while some go fight, and others out of cowardice remain behind. [Exit Servant.

> Greek: Ἰόλαος:
ἔστʼ ἐν δόμοισιν ἔνδον αἰχμάλωθʼ ὅπλα,
τοῖς δʼ οὖσι χρησόμεσθα· κἀποδώσομεν
ζῶντες, θανόντας δʼ οὐκ ἀπαιτήσει θεός.
ἀλλʼ εἴσιθʼ εἴσω κἀπὸ πασσάλων ἑλὼν
ἔνεγχ’ ὁπλίτην κόσμον ὡς τάχιστά μοι.
αἰσχρὸν γὰρ οἰκούρημα γίγνεται τόδε,
τοὺς μὲν μάχεσθαι, τοὺς δὲ δειλίᾳ μένειν.

[¶59] Chorus:
Not yet hath time laid low thy spirit,’tis young as ever; but thy body’s strength is gone. Why toil to no purpose?’Twill do thee hurt and benefit our city little. At thy age thou shouldst confess thy error and let impossibilities alone. Thou canst in no way get thy vigour back again.

> Greek: Χορός:
λῆμα μὲν οὔπω στόρνυσι χρόνος
τὸ σόν, ἀλλʼ ἡβᾷ, σῶμα δὲ φροῦδον.
τί πονεῖς ἄλλως ἃ σὲ μὲν βλάψει,
σμικρὰ δʼ ὀνήσει πόλιν ἡμετέραν;
χρὴ γνωσιμαχεῖν τὴν ἡλικίαν,
τὰ δʼ ἀμήχανʼ ἐᾶν· οὐκ ἔστιν ὅπως
ἥβην κτήσῃ πάλιν αὖθις.

[¶60] Alcmena:
What means this mad resolve
to leave me with my children undefended here?

> Greek: Ἀλκμήνη:
τί χρῆμα μέλλεις σῶν φρενῶν οὐκ ἔνδον ὢν
λιπεῖν μʼ ἔρημον σὺν τέκνοις ἐμοῖς; …

[¶61] Iolaus:
Men must fight; and thou must look to them.

> Greek: Ἰόλαος:
ἀνδρῶν γὰρ ἀλκή· σοὶ δὲ χρῆν τούτων μέλειν.

[¶62] Alcmena:
And what if thou art slain? what safety shall I find?

> Greek: Ἀλκμήνη:
τί δʼ; ἢν θάνῃς σύ, πῶς ἐγὼ σωθήσομαι;

[¶63] Iolaus:
Thy son’s surviving children will care for thee.

> Greek: Ἰόλαος:
παιδὸς μελήσει παισὶ τοῖς λελειμμένοις.

[¶64] Alcmena:
Suppose they meet with some reverse? which Heaven forefend!

> Greek: Ἀλκμήνη:
ἢν δʼ οὖν, ὃ μὴ γένοιτο, χρήσωνται τύχῃ;

[¶65] Iolaus:
These strangers will not give thee up, fear not.

> Greek: Ἰόλαος:
οἵδ’ οὐ προδώσουσίν σε, μὴ τρέσῃς, ξένοι.

[¶66] Alcmena:
They are my last and only hope, I have no other.

> Greek: Ἀλκμήνη:
τοσόνδε γάρ τοι θάρσος, οὐδὲν ἄλλʼ ἔχω.

[¶67] Iolaus:
Zeus too, I feel sure, cares for thy sufferings.

> Greek: Ἰόλαος:
καὶ Ζηνὶ τῶν σῶν, οἶδʼ ἐγώ, μέλει πόνων.

[¶68] Alcmena:
Ah! of Zeus will I never speak ill, but himself doth know, whether he is just to me.

> Greek: Ἀλκμήνη:
φεῦ·
Ζεὺς ἐξ ἐμοῦ μὲν οὐκ ἀκούσεται κακῶς·
εἰ δʼ ἐστὶν ὅσιος αὐτὸς οἶδεν εἰς ἐμέ.

[¶69] Servant (of Hyllus):
Lo! here thou seest a full coat of mail; make haste to case thyself therein; for the strife is nigh, and bitterly doth Ares loathe loiterers; but if thou fear the weight of the armour, go for the present without it, and in the ranks
do on this gear; meantime will I carry it.

> Greek: Θεράπων:
ὅπλων μὲν ἤδη τήνδʼ ὁρᾷς παντευχίαν,
φθάνοις δʼ ἂν οὐκ ἂν τοῖσδε συγκρύπτων δέμας·
ὡς ἐγγὺς ἁγών, καὶ μάλιστʼ Ἄρης στυγεῖ
μέλλοντας· εἰ δὲ τευχέων φοβῇ βάρος,
νῦν μὲν πορεύου γυμνός, ἐν δὲ τάξεσιν
κόσμῳ πυκάζου τῷδʼ· ἐγὼ δʼ οἴσω τέως.

[¶70] Iolaus:
Well said! keep the harness ready to my hand, put a spear within my grasp, and support me on the left side, guiding my steps.

> Greek: Ἰόλαος:
καλῶς ἔλεξας· ἀλλʼ ἐμοὶ πρόχειρʼ ἔχων
τεύχη κόμιζε, χειρὶ δʼ ἔνθες ὀξύην,
λαιόν τʼ ἔπαιρε πῆχυν, εὐθύνων πόδα.

[¶71] Servant (of Hyllus):
Am I to lead this warrior like a child?

> Greek: Θεράπων:
ἦ παιδαγωγεῖν γὰρ τὸν ὁπλίτην χρεών;

[¶72] Iolaus:
To save the omen, we must go without stumbling.

> Greek: Ἰόλαος:
ὄρνιθος οὕνεκʼ ἀσφαλῶς πορευτέον.

[¶73] Servant (of Hyllus):
Would thy power to act were equal to thy zeal!

> Greek: Θεράπων:
εἴθʼ ἦσθα δυνατὸς δρᾶν ὅσον πρόθυμος εἶ.

[¶74] Iolaus:
Hasten; I shall feel it grievously, if I am too late for the battle.
Servant (of Hyllus):’Tis thou who art slow, not I, though thou fanciest thou art doing wonders.

> Greek: Ἰόλαος:
ἔπειγε· λειφθεὶς δεινὰ πείσομαι μάχης.
Θεράπων:
σύ τοι βραδύνεις, οὐκ ἐγὼ δοκῶ τι δρᾶν.

[¶75] Iolaus:
Dost not mark how swift my steps are hasting?

> Greek: Ἰόλαος:
οὔκουν ὁρᾷς μου κῶλον ὡς ἐπείγεται;

[¶76] Servant (of Hyllus):
I mark more seeming than reality in thy haste.

> Greek: Θεράπων:
ὁρῶ δοκοῦντα μᾶλλον ἢ σπεύδοντά σε.

[¶77] Iolaus:
Thou wilt tell a different tale when thou seest me there.

> Greek: Ἰόλαος:
οὐ ταῦτα λέξεις, ἡνίκʼ ἂν λεύσσῃς μʼ ἐκεῖ.

[¶78] Servant (of Hyllus):
What shall I see thee do? I wish thee all success, at any rate.

> Greek: Θεράπων:
τί δρῶντα; βουλοίμην δʼ ἂν εὐτυχοῦντά γε.

[¶79] Iolaus:
Thou shalt see me smite some foeman through the shield.

> Greek: Ἰόλαος:
διʼ ἀσπίδος θείνοντα πολεμίων τινά.

[¶80] Servant (of Hyllus):
Perhaps, if ever we get there. I have my fears of that.

> Greek: Θεράπων:
εἰ δή ποθʼ ἥξομέν γε· τοῦτο γὰρ φόβος.

[¶81] Iolaus:
Ah! would to Heaven that thou, mine arm, e’en as I remember thee in thy lusty youth, when with Heracles thou didst sack Sparta, couldst so champion me to-day! how I would put Eurystheus to flight! since he is too craven to wait the onslaught.
For prosperity carries with it this error too a reputation for bravery; for we think the prosperous man a master of all knowledge.

> Greek: Ἰόλαος:
φεῦ·
εἴθʼ, ὦ βραχίων, οἷον ἡβήσαντά σε
μεμνήμεθʼ ἡμεῖς, ἡνίκα ξὺν Ἡρακλεῖ
Σπάρτην ἐπόρθεις, σύμμαχος γένοιό μοι
τοιοῦτος· οἵαν ἂν τροπὴν Εὐρυσθέως
θείμην· ἐπεί τοι καὶ κακὸς μένειν δόρυ.
ἔστιν δʼ ἐν ὄλβῳ καὶ τόδʼ οὐκ ὀρθῶς ἔχον,
εὐψυχίας δόκησις· οἰόμεσθα γὰρ
τὸν εὐτυχοῦντα πάντʼ ἐπίστασθαι καλῶς.

[¶82] Chorus:
O earth, and moon that shines by night, and dazzling radiance of the god,
that giveth light to man, bear the tidings to me, shout aloud to heaven for joy, and beside our ruler’s throne, and in the shrine of grey-eyed Athene.
For my fatherland and home will I soon decide the issue of the strife with the gleaming sword, because I have taken suppliants under my protection.

> Greek: Χορός:
Γᾶ καὶ παννύχιος σελά-
να καὶ λαμπρόταται θεοῦ
φαεσίμβροτοι αὐγαί,
ἀγγελίαν μοι ἐνέγκαιτʼ·
ἰαχήσατε δʼ οὐρανῷ
καὶ παρὰ θρόνον ἀρχέταν
γλαυκᾶς ἐν Ἀθάνας.
μέλλω τᾶς πατριώτιδος
γᾶς, μέλλω καὶ ὑπὲρ δόμων
ἱκέτας ὑποδεχθεὶς
κίνδυνον πολιῷ τεμεῖν σιδάρῳ.

[¶83] Chorus:’Tis a fearful thing, that a city
prosperous as Mycenae is, one famed for martial prowess, should harbour wrath against my land; still, my countrymen, it were a shameful thing in us to yield up suppliant strangers
at the bidding of Argos. Zeus is on my side, I am not afraid; Zeus hath a favour unto me, as is my due; never by me shall gods be thought weaker than mortal men.

> Greek: Χορός:
δεινὸν μὲν πόλιν ὡς Μυκή-
νας εὐδαίμονα καὶ δορὸς
πολυαίνετον ἀλκᾷ
μῆνιν ἐμᾷ χθονὶ κεύθειν·
κακὸν δʼ, ὦ πόλις, εἰ ξένους
ἱκτῆρας παραδώσομεν
κελεύμασιν Ἄργους.
Ζεύς μοι σύμμαχος, οὐ φοβοῦ-
μαι, Ζεύς μοι χάριν ἐνδίκως
ἔχει· οὔποτε θνατῶν
ἥσσους ⟨δαίμονες⟩ ἔκ γʼ ἐμοῦ φανοῦνται.

[¶84] Chorus:
O dread goddess, thine the soil whereon we stand, thine this city, for thou art its mother, queen, and saviour; wherefore turn some other way the impious king, who leadeth a host
from Argos with brandished lance against this land; for, such my worth, I little merit exile from my home.

> Greek: Χορός:
ἀλλʼ, ὦ πότνια — σὸν γὰρ οὖ-
δας [γᾶς], σὸν καὶ πόλις, ἇς σὺ μά-
τηρ δέσποινά τε καὶ φύλαξ —
πόρευσον ἄλλᾳ τὸν οὐ δικαίως
τᾷδʼ ἐπάγοντα δορυσσοῦν
στρατὸν Ἀργόθεν· οὐ γὰρ ἐμᾷ γʼ ἀρετᾷ
δίκαιός εἰμʼ ἐκπεσεῖν μελάθρων.

[¶85] Chorus:
For thy worship is aye performed with many a sacrifice, and never art thou forgotten as each month draweth to its close,
when young voices sing and dancers’ music is heard abroad, while on our wind-swept hill goes up the cry of joy to the beat of maidens’ feet by night.

> Greek: Χορός:
ἐπεί σοι πολύθυτος ἀεὶ
τιμὰ κραίνεται, οὐδὲ λά-
θει μηνῶν φθινὰς ἁμέρα,
νέων τʼ ἀοιδαὶ χορῶν τε μολπαί.
ἀνεμόεντι δʼ ἐπʼ ὄχθῳ
ὀλολύγματα παννυχίοις ὑπὸ παρ-
θένων ἰαχεῖ ποδῶν κρότοισιν.

[¶86] Servant (of Hyllus):
Mistress, the message that I bring is very short
for thee to hear and fair for me, who stand before thee, to announce. O’er our foes we are victorious, and trophies are being set up, with panoplies upon them, taken from thy enemies.

> Greek: Θεράπων:
δέσποινα, μύθους σοί τε συντομωτάτους
κλύειν ἐμοί τε τῷδε καλλίστους φέρω.
νικῶμεν ἐχθροὺς καὶ τροπαῖʼ ἱδρύεται
παντευχίαν ἔχοντα πολεμίων σέθεν.

[¶87] Alcmena:
Best of friends! this day hath wrought thy liberty by reason of these tidings.
But there still remains one anxious thought thou dost not free me from;—a thought of fear;—are those, whose lives I cherish, spared to me?

> Greek: Ἀλκμήνη:
ὦ φίλταθʼ, ἥδε σʼ ἡμέρα διήλασεν
ἐλευθερῶσαι τοῖσδε τοῖς ἀγγέλμασιν.
μιᾶς δʼ ἔμʼ οὔπω συμφορᾶς ἐλευθεροῖς·
φόβος γὰρ εἴ μοι ζῶσιν οὓς ἐγὼ θέλω.

[¶88] Servant (of Hyllus):
They are, and high their fame through all the army spreads.

> Greek: Θεράπων:
ζῶσιν μέγιστόν γʼ εὐκλεεῖς κατὰ στρατόν.

[¶89] Alcmena:
The old man Iolaus,—is he yet alive?

> Greek: Ἀλκμήνη:
ὁ μὲν γέρων οὐκ ἔστιν Ἰόλεως ὅδε;

[¶90] Servant (of Hyllus):
Aye, that he is, a hero whom the gods delight to honour.

> Greek: Θεράπων:
μάλιστα, πράξας δʼ ἐκ θεῶν κάλλιστα δή.

[¶91] Alcmena:
How so? Did he perform some deed of prowess?

> Greek: Ἀλκμήνη:
τί δʼ ἔστι; μῶν τι κεδνὸν ἠγωνίζετο;

[¶92] Servant (of Hyllus):
He hath passed from age to youth once more.

> Greek: Θεράπων:
νέος μεθέστηκʼ ἐκ γέροντος αὖθις αὖ.

[¶93] Alcmena:
Thy tale is passing strange; but first I would that thou shouldst tell me, how our friends won the day.

> Greek: Ἀλκμήνη:
θαυμάστʼ ἔλεξας· ἀλλά σʼ εὐτυχῆ φίλων
μάχης ἀγῶνα πρῶτον ἀγγεῖλαι θέλω.

[¶94] Servant (of Hyllus):
One speech of mine puts it all clearly before thee.
When we had deployed our troops and marshalled them face to face with one another, Hyllus dismounted from his four-horsed chariot and stood midway betwixt the hosts. Then cried he, “Captain, who art come from Argos,”
“why cannot we leave this land alone? No hurt wilt thou do Mycenae, if of one man thou rob her; come! meet me in single combat, and, if thou slay me, take the children of Heracles away with thee,”
“but, if thou fall, leave me to possess my ancestral honours and my home.” The host cried yes! saying the scheme he offered was a fair one, both to rid them of their trouble and satisfy their valour. But that other, feeling no shame before those who heard the challenge or at his own cowardice, quailed, general though he was,
to come within reach of the stubborn spear, showing himself an abject coward; yet with such a spirit he came to enslave the children of Heracles. Then did Hyllus withdraw to his own ranks again, and the prophets seeing that no reconciliation would be effected by single combat,
began the sacrifice without delay and forthwith let flow from a human throat auspicious streams of blood. And some were mounting chariots, while others couched beneath the shelter of their shields, and the king of the Athenians,
as a highborn chieftain should, would exhort his host: “Fellow-citizens, the land, that feeds you and that gave you birth, demands to-day the help of every man.” Likewise Eurystheus besought his allies that they should scorn to sully the feme of Argos and Mycenae.

> Greek: Θεράπων:
εἷς μου λόγος σοι πάντα σημανεῖ τάδε.
ἐπεὶ γὰρ ἀλλήλοισιν ὁπλίτην στρατὸν
κατὰ στόμʼ ἐκτείνοντες ἀντετάξαμεν,
ἐκβὰς τεθρίππων Ὕλλος ἁρμάτων πόδα
ἔστη μέσοισιν ἐν μεταιχμίοις δορός.
κἄπειτ’ ἔλεξεν· Ὦ στρατήγʼ ὃς Ἀργόθεν
ἥκεις, τί τήνδε γαῖαν οὐκ εἰάσαμεν
…
…
καὶ τὰς Μυκήνας οὐδὲν ἐργάσῃ κακὸν
ἀνδρὸς στερήσας· ἀλλʼ ἐμοὶ μόνος μόνῳ
μάχην συνάψας, ἢ κτανὼν ἄγου λαβὼν
τοὺς Ἡρακλείους παῖδας ἢ θανὼν ἐμοὶ
τιμὰς πατρῴους καὶ δόμους ἔχειν ἄφες.
στρατὸς δʼ ἐπῄνεσ’, ἔς τʼ ἀπαλλαγὰς πόνων
καλῶς λελέχθαι μῦθον ἔς τʼ εὐψυχίαν.
ὃ δʼ οὔτε τοὺς κλύοντας αἰδεσθεὶς λόγων
οὔτʼ αὐτὸς αὑτοῦ δειλίαν στρατηγὸς ὢν
ἐλθεῖν ἐτόλμησʼ ἐγγὺς ἀλκίμου δορός,
ἀλλʼ ἦν κάκιστος· εἶτα τοιοῦτος γεγὼς
τοὺς Ἡρακλείους ἦλθε δουλώσων γόνους.
Ὕλλος μὲν οὖν ἀπῴχετ’ ἐς τάξιν πάλιν·
μάντεις δʼ, ἐπειδὴ μονομάχου διʼ ἀσπίδος
διαλλαγὰς ἔγνωσαν οὐ τελουμένας,
ἔσφαζον, οὐκ ἔμελλον, ἀλλʼ ἀφίεσαν
λαιμῶν βροτείων εὐθὺς οὔριον φόνον.
οἳ δʼ ἅρματʼ εἰσέβαινον, οἳ δʼ ὑπʼ ἀσπίδων
πλευροῖς ἔκρυπτον πλεύρʼ· Ἀθηναίων δʼ ἄναξ
στρατῷ παρήγγελλ’ οἷα χρὴ τὸν εὐγενῆ·
Ὦ ξυμπολῖται, τῇ τε βοσκούσῃ χθονὶ
καὶ τῇ τεκούσῃ νῦν τινʼ ἀρκέσαι χρεών.
ὃ δʼ αὖ τό τʼ Ἄργος μὴ καταισχῦναι θέλειν
καὶ τὰς Μυκήνας συμμάχους ἐλίσσετο.

[¶95] Anon the Etrurian trumpet sounded loud and clear, and hand to hand they rushed; then think how loudly clashed their ringing shields, what din arose of cries and groans confused! At first the onset of the Argive spearmen
broke our ranks; then they in turn gave ground; next, foot to foot and man to man, they fought their stubborn fray, many falling the while. And either chief cheered on his men, “Sons of Athens! Ye who till the fields of Argos!”
“ward from your land disgrace.” Do all we could, and spite of every effort, scarce could we turn the Argive line in flight. When lo! old Iolaus sees Hyllus starting from the ranks, whereon he lifts his hands to him with a prayer
to take him up into his chariot. Thereon he seized the reins and went hard after the horses of Eurystheus. From this point onward must I speak from hearsay, though hitherto as one whose own eyes saw. For as he was crossing Pallene’s hill,
sacred to the goddess Athene, he caught sight of Eurystheus’ chariot, and prayed to Hebe and to Zeus, that for one single day he might grow young again and wreak his vengeance on his foes. Now must thou hear a wondrous tale: two stars settled on the horses’ yokes
and threw the chariot into dark shadow, which—at least so say our wiser folk—were thy son and Hebe; and from that murky gloom appeared that aged man in the form of a youth with strong young arms; then by the rocks of Sciron
the hero Iolaus o’ertakes Eurystheus’ chariot. And he bound his hands with gyves, and is bringing that chieftain once so prosperous as a trophy hither, whose fortune now doth preach a lesson, clear as day, to all the sons of men,
that none should envy him, who seems to thrive, until they see his death; for fortune’s moods last but a day.
Chorus:
O Zeus, who puttest my foes to flight, now may I behold the day that frees me from cruel fear!

> Greek: ἐπεὶ δʼ ἐσήμηνʼ ὄρθιον Τυρσηνικῇ
σάλπιγγι καὶ συνῆψαν ἀλλήλοις μάχην,
πόσον τινʼ αὐχεῖς πάταγον ἀσπίδων βρέμειν,
πόσον τινὰ στεναγμὸν οἰμωγήν θʼ ὁμοῦ;
τὰ πρῶτα μέν νυν πίτυλος Ἀργείου δορὸς
ἐρρήξαθʼ ἡμᾶς· εἶτʼ ἐχώρησαν πάλιν.
τὸ δεύτερον δὲ ποὺς ἐπαλλαχθεὶς ποδί,
ἀνὴρ δʼ ἐπʼ ἀνδρὶ στάς, ἐκαρτέρει μάχη·
πολλοὶ δʼ ἔπιπτον. ἦν δὲ τοῦ κελεύματος·
Ὦ τὰς Ἀθήνας — Ὦ τὸν Ἀργείων γύην
σπείροντες — οὐκ ἀρήξετʼ αἰσχύνην πόλει;
μόλις δὲ πάντα δρῶντες οὐκ ἄτερ πόνων
ἐτρεψάμεσθʼ Ἀργεῖον ἐς φυγὴν δόρυ.
κἀνταῦθʼ ὁ πρέσβυς Ὕλλον ἐξορμώμενον
ἰδών, ὀρέξας ἱκέτευσε δεξιὰν
Ἰόλαος ἐμβῆσαί νιν ἵππειον δίφρον.
λαβὼν δὲ χερσὶν ἡνίας Εὐρυσθέως
πώλοις ἐπεῖχε. τἀπὸ τοῦδʼ ἤδη κλύων
λέγοιμʼ ἂν ἄλλων, δεῦρο δʼ αὐτὸς εἰσιδών.
Παλληνίδος γὰρ σεμνὸν ἐκπερῶν πάγον
δίας Ἀθάνας, ἅρμʼ ἰδὼν Εὐρυσθέως,
ἠράσαθʼ Ἥβῃ Ζηνί θʼ, ἡμέραν μίαν
νέος γενέσθαι κἀποτείσασθαι δίκην
ἐχθρούς. κλύειν δὴ θαύματος πάρεστί σοι.
δισσὼ γὰρ ἀστέρʼ ἱππικοῖς ἐπὶ ζυγοῖς
σταθέντʼ ἔκρυψαν ἅρμα λυγαίῳ νέφει·
σὸν δὴ λέγουσι παῖδά γʼ οἱ σοφώτεροι
Ἥβην θʼ· ὃ δʼ ὄρφνης ἐκ δυσαιθρίου νέων
βραχιόνων ἔδειξεν ἡβητὴν τύπον.
αἱρεῖ δʼ ὁ κλεινὸς Ἰόλεως Εὐρυσθέως
τέτρωρον ἅρμα πρὸς πέτραις Σκιρωνίσιν,
δεσμοῖς τε δήσας χεῖρας ἀκροθίνιον
κάλλιστον ἥκει τὸν στρατηλάτην ἄγων
τὸν ὄλβιον πάροιθε. τῇ δὲ νῦν τύχῃ
βροτοῖς ἅπασι λαμπρὰ κηρύσσει μαθεῖν,
τὸν εὐτυχεῖν δοκοῦντα μὴ ζηλοῦν, πρὶν ἂν
θανόντʼ ἴδῃ τις· ὡς ἐφήμεροι τύχαι.
Χορός:
ὦ Ζεῦ τροπαῖε, νῦν ἐμοὶ δεινοῦ φόβου
ἐλεύθερον πάρεστιν ἦμαρ εἰσιδεῖν.

[¶96] Alcmena:
At last, O Zeus, hast thou turned a favouring eye on my affliction;
yet do I thank thee for what has happened. And though ere this I did not believe my son was gathered to the gods, now am I convinced thereof. My children, now at last from toil shall ye be free, free from him, whom hideous death awaits,
Eurystheus; now shall ye behold your father’s city, and set foot in the land of your inheritance, and sacrifice to those ancestral gods, from whom ye have been debarred and forced to lead in strangers’ lands a life of wretched vagrancy. But tell me, what sage purpose Iolaus
nursed in his heart, that he spared the life of Eurystheus, for to my mind this is no wisdom, to catch a foe and wreak no vengeance on him.
Servant (of Hyllus):’Twas his regard for thee, that thou might’st see him subject to thy hand, and triumph o’er him.
Rest assured,’twas no willing prisoner he made, but by strong constraint he bound him, for Eurystheus was loth indeed to come alive into thy presence and pay his penalty. Farewell, my aged mistress; I pray thee remember thy first promise when I was beginning my story;
set me free; for, at such a time as this, sincerity becometh noble lips. [Exit Servant.

> Greek: Ἀλκμήνη:
ὦ Ζεῦ, χρόνῳ μὲν τἄμ’ ἐπεσκέψω κακά,
χάριν δʼ ὅμως σοι τῶν πεπραγμένων ἔχω·
καὶ παῖδα τὸν ἐμὸν πρόσθεν οὐ δοκοῦσʼ ἐγὼ
θεοῖς ὁμιλεῖν νῦν ἐπίσταμαι σαφῶς.
ὦ τέκνα, νῦν δὴ νῦν ἐλεύθεροι πόνων,
ἐλεύθεροι δὲ τοῦ κακῶς ὀλουμένου
Εὐρυσθέως ἔσεσθε καὶ πόλιν πατρὸς
ὄψεσθε, κλήρους δʼ ἐμβατεύσετε χθονὸς
καὶ θεοῖς πατρῴοις θύσεθʼ, ὧν ἀπειργμένοι
ξένοι πλανήτην εἴχετʼ ἄθλιον βίον.
ἀτὰρ τί κεύθων Ἰόλεως σοφόν ποτε
Εὐρυσθέως ἐφείσαθʼ ὥστε μὴ κτανεῖν;
λέξον· παρʼ ἡμῖν μὲν γὰρ οὐ σοφὸν τόδε,
ἐχθροὺς λαβόντα μὴ ἀποτείσασθαι δίκην.
Θεράπων:
τὸ σὸν προτιμῶν, ὥς νιν ὀφθαλμοῖς ἴδοις
κρατοῦντα καὶ σῇ δεσποτούμενον χερί.
οὐ μὴν ἑκόντα γʼ αὐτόν, ἀλλὰ πρὸς βίαν
ἔζευξʼ ἀνάγκῃ· καὶ γὰρ οὐκ ἐβούλετο
ζῶν ἐς σὸν ἐλθεῖν ὄμμα καὶ δοῦναι δίκην.
ἀλλʼ, ὦ γεραιά, χαῖρε καὶ μέμνησό μοι
ὃ πρῶτον εἶπας, ἡνίκʼ ἠρχόμην λόγου,
ἐλευθερώσειν μʼ· ἐν δὲ τοῖς τοιοῖσδε χρὴ
ἀψευδὲς εἶναι τοῖσι γενναίοις στόμα.

[¶97] Chorus:
Sweet is the dance to me, whenso the clear-toned flute and lovely Aphrodite shed grace upon the feast;
and a joyful thing too it is, I trow, to witness the good luck of friends, who till then ne’er dreamt of it. For numerous is the offspring of Fate,
that bringeth all to pass, and of Time, the son of Cronos.

> Greek: Χορός:
Ἐμοὶ χορὸς μὲν ἡδύς, εἰ λίγεια λω-
τοῦ χάρις ενι δαι·
εἴη δʼ εὔχαρις Ἀφροδί-
τα· τερπνὸν δέ τι καὶ φίλων ἆρʼ
εὐτυχίαν ἰδέσθαι
τῶν πάρος οὐ δοκούντων.
πολλὰ γὰρ
τίκτει Μοῖρα τελεσσιδώ-
τειρʼ Αἰών τε Χρόνου παῖς.

[¶98] Chorus:
Thine is the path of justice, O my city; this must no man wrest from thee, thy reverence for the gods, and, whoso denieth it of thee, draws nigh to frenzy’s goal,
with these plain proofs in view. Yea, for the god proclaims it clearly, by cutting short the bad man’s pride in every case.

> Greek: Χορός:
ἔχεις ὁδόν τινʼ, ὦ πόλις, δίκαιον — οὐ
χρή ποτε τοῦδʼ ἀφέσθαι, —
τιμᾶν θεούς· ὁ ⟨δὲ⟩ μή σε φά-
σκων ἐγγὺς μανιῶν ἐλαύνει,
δεικνυμένων ἐλέγχων
τῶνδʼ· ἐπίσημα γάρ τοι
θεὸς παραγ-
γέλλει, τῶν ἀδίκων παραι-
ρῶν φρονήματος αἰεί.

[¶99] Chorus:
In heaven, mother, lives thy son, passed from earth away; that he went down to Hades’ halls, his body burnt by the fire’s fierce flame, is past belief;
in golden halls reclined he has to wife Hebe, lovely nymph. Thou, O Hymen, hast honoured them, children both of Zeus.

> Greek: Χορός:
ἔστιν ἐν οὐρανῷ βεβα-
κὼς τεὸς γόνος, ὦ γεραι-
ά· φεύγει λόγον ὡς τὸν Ἅι-
δα δόμον κατέβα, πυρὸς
δεινᾷ φλογὶ σῶμα δαισθείς·
Ἥβας τʼ ἐρατὸν χροΐζει
λέχος χρυσέαν κατʼ αὐλάν.
ὦ Ὑμέναιε, δισσοὺς παῖ-
δας Διὸς ἠξίωσας.

[¶100] Chorus:
Things for the most part form a single chain;
for instance, men say Athene used to champion their father, and now the citizens of that goddess have saved his children, and checked the insolence of him, whose heart
preferred violence to justice. God save me from such arrogance, such greed of soul! [Eurystheus is brought in bound.

> Greek: Χορός:
συμφέρεται τὰ πολλὰ πολ-
λοῖς· καὶ γὰρ πατρὶ τῶνδʼ Ἀθά-
ναν λέγουσʼ ἐπίκουρον εἶ-
ναι, καὶ τούσδε θεᾶς πόλις
καὶ λαὸς ἔσωσε κείνας·
ἔσχεν δʼ ὕβριν ἀνδρὸς ᾧ θυ-
μὸς ἦν πρὸ δίκας βίαιος.
μήποτʼ ἐμοὶ φρόνημα ψυ-
χά τʼ ἀκόρεστος εἴη.

[¶101] Messenger:
Mistress, though thine eyes see him, yet will I announce we have brought Eurystheus hither for thy pleasure,
an unexpected sight, for him no less a chance he ne’er foresaw; for little he thought of ever falling into thy hands, what time he marched from Mycenae with his toil-worn warriors, to sack Athens, thinking himself far above fortune. But a power
divine hath reversed our destinies, changing their position. Now Hyllus and brave Iolaus I left raising an image to Zeus, who routs the foe, for their triumphant victory, whilst they bid me bring this prisoner to thee, wishing to gladden thy heart; for ’tis the sweetest
sight to see a foe fall on evil days after prosperity.
Alcmena:
Art come, thou hateful wretch? Hath Justice caught thee then at last? First, turn thy head this way to me, and endure to look thy enemies in the face, for thou art no more the ruler, but the slave.
Art thou the man—for this I fain would learn—who didst presume to heap thy insults on my son, who now is where he is, thou miscreant? What outrage didst thou abstain from putting upon him? Thou that didst make him go down alive even to Hades,
and wouldst send him with an order to slay hydras and lions? Thy other evil schemes I mention not, for to tell them were a tedious task for me. Nor did it content thee to venture thus far only; no! but from all Hellas wouldst thou drive me and my children,
heaven’s suppliants though we were, grey-heads some of us, and some still tender babes. But here hast thou found men and a free city, that feared not thee. Die in torment must thou, and e’en so wilt thou gain in every way, for one death is not
thy due, after all the sorrow thou hast caused.
Messenger:
Thou mayst not slay him.
Alcmena:
Then have we taken him captive in vain. But say, what law forbids his death?
Messenger:
It is not the will of the rulers of this land.
Alcmena:
Why, what is this? Do they not approve of slaying enemies?
Messenger:
Not such as they have taken alive in battle.
Alcmena:
Did Hyllus uphold this decision?
Messenger:
He, I suppose, ought to have disobeyed the law of the land.
Alcmena:
The prisoner’s life ought not to have been spared a moment.
Messenger:
It was then that he was wronged, by not being slain at first.
Alcmena:
Why, then, he is still in time to pay his penalty.
Messenger:
There is no one, who will slay him now.
Alcmena:
I will; and yet I count myself someone.
Messenger:
Well, thou wilt incur great blame, if thou do this deed.

> Greek: Θεράπων:
δέσποινʼ, ὁρᾷς μέν, ἀλλʼ ὅμως εἰρήσεται,
Εὐρυσθέα σοι τόνδʼ ἄγοντες ἥκομεν,
ἄελπτον ὄψιν, τῷδέ τʼ οὐχ ἧσσον τύχην·
οὐ γάρ ποτʼ ηὔχει χεῖρας ἵξεσθαι σέθεν,
ὅτʼ ἐκ Μυκηνῶν πολυπόνῳ σὺν ἀσπίδι
ἔστειχε μείζω τῆς δίκης φρονῶν, πόλιν
πέρσων Ἀθηνᾶς. ἀλλὰ τὴν ἐναντίαν
δαίμων ἔθηκε, καὶ μετέστησεν τύχην.
Ὕλλος μὲν οὖν ὅ τʼ ἐσθλὸς Ἰόλεως βρέτας
Διὸς τροπαίου καλλίνικον ἵστασαν·
ἐμοὶ δὲ πρὸς σὲ τόνδʼ ἐπιστέλλουσʼ ἄγειν,
τέρψαι θέλοντες σὴν φρένʼ· ἐκ γὰρ εὐτυχοῦς
ἥδιστον ἐχθρὸν ἄνδρα δυστυχοῦνθʼ ὁρᾶν.
Ἀλκμήνη:
ὦ μῖσος, ἥκεις; εἷλέ σʼ ἡ Δίκη χρόνῳ;
πρῶτον μὲν οὖν μοι δεῦρʼ ἐπίστρεψον κάρα
καὶ τλῆθι τοὺς σοὺς προσβλέπειν ἐναντίον
ἐχθρούς· κρατῇ γὰρ νῦν γε κοὐ κρατεῖς ἔτι.
ἐκεῖνος εἶ σύ — βούλομαι γὰρ εἰδέναι —
ὃς πολλὰ μὲν τὸν ὄνθʼ ὅπου ’στὶ νῦν ἐμὸν
παῖδʼ ἠξίωσας, ὦ πανοῦργʼ, ἐφυβρίσαι;
τί γὰρ σὺ κεῖνον οὐκ ἔτλης καθυβρίσαι;
ὃς καὶ παρʼ Ἅιδην ζῶντά νιν κατήγαγες,
ὕδρας λέοντάς τʼ ἐξαπολλύναι λέγων
ἔπεμπες. ἄλλα δʼ οἷ’ ἐμηχανῶ κακὰ
σιγῶ· μακρὸς γὰρ μῦθος ἂν γένοιτό μοι.
κοὐκ ἤρκεσέν σοι ταῦτα τολμῆσαι μόνον,
ἀλλʼ ἐξ ἁπάσης κἀμὲ καὶ τέκνʼ Ἑλλάδος
ἤλαυνες ἱκέτας δαιμόνων καθημένους,
τοὺς μὲν γέροντας, τοὺς δὲ νηπίους ἔτι.
ἀλλʼ ηὗρες ἄνδρας καὶ πόλισμʼ ἐλεύθερον,
οἵ σʼ οὐκ ἔδεισαν. δεῖ σε κατθανεῖν κακῶς,
καὶ κερδανεῖς ἅπαντα· χρῆν γὰρ οὐχ ἅπαξ
θνῄσκειν σὲ πολλὰ πήματʼ ἐξειργασμένον.
Χορός:
οὐκ ἔστʼ ἀνυστὸν τόνδε σοι κατακτανεῖν.
Θεράπων:
ἄλλως ἄρʼ αὐτὸν αἰχμάλωτον εἵλομεν;
Ἀλκμήνη:
εἴργει δὲ δὴ τίς τόνδε μὴ θνῄσκειν νόμος;
Χορός:
τοῖς τῆσδε χώρας προστάταισιν οὐ δοκεῖ.
Ἀλκμήνη:
τί δὴ τόδʼ; ἐχθροὺς τοισίδʼ οὐ καλὸν κτανεῖν;
Χορός:
οὐχ ὅντινʼ ἄν γε ζῶνθʼ ἕλωσιν ἐν μάχῃ.
Ἀλκμήνη:
καὶ ταῦτα δόξανθʼ Ὕλλος ἐξηνέσχετο;
Χορός:
χρῆν δʼ αὐτόν, οἶμαι, τῇδʼ ἀπιστῆσαι χθονί;
Ἀλκμήνη:
χρῆν τόνδε μὴ ζῆν μηδʼ ὁρᾶν φάος ἔτι.
Χορός:
τότʼ ἠδικήθη πρῶτον οὐ θανὼν ὅδε.
Ἀλκμήνη:
οὐκ οὖν ἔτʼ ἐστὶν ἐν καλῷ δοῦναι δίκην;
Χορός:
οὐκ ἔστι τοῦτον ὅστις ἂν κατακτάνοι.
Ἀλκμήνη:
ἔγωγε· καίτοι φημὶ κἄμʼ εἶναί τινα.
Χορός:
πολλὴν ἄρʼ ἕξεις μέμψιν, εἰ δράσεις τόδε.

[¶102] Alcmena:
I love this city well; that cannot be gainsaid. But since this man hath fallen into my power, no mortal hand shall wrest him from me. Wherefore let who will, call me the woman bold, with thoughts too high for her sex;
yet shall this deed be brought to pass by me.

> Greek: Ἀλκμήνη:
φιλῶ πόλιν τήνδʼ· οὐδὲν ἀντιλεκτέον.
τοῦτον δʼ, ἐπείπερ χεῖρας ἦλθεν εἰς ἐμάς,
οὐκ ἔστι θνητῶν ὅστις ἐξαιρήσεται.
πρὸς ταῦτα τὴν θρασεῖαν ὅστις ἂν θέλῃ
καὶ τὴν φρονοῦσαν μεῖζον ἢ γυναῖκα χρὴ
λέξει· τὸ δʼ ἔργον τοῦτʼ ἐμοὶ πεπράξεται.

[¶103] Chorus:
Lady, full well I understand thou hast a dire quarrel with this man, and ’tis pardonable.
Eurystheus:
Woman, be sure I will not flatter thee nor say aught to save my life,
that can give any occasion for a charge of cowardice. It was not of my own free will I took this quarrel up; I am aware that I was born thy cousin, and kinsman to Heracles, thy son; but whether I would or no,
Hera, by her power divine, caused me to be afflicted thus. Still, when I undertook to be his foe, and when I knew I had to enter on this struggle, I set myself to devise trouble in plenty, and oft from time to time my midnight communing bore fruit,
scheming how to push aside and slay my foes, and for the future divorce myself from fear; for I knew that son of thine was no mere cipher, but a man indeed; yea, for, though he was my foe, I will speak well of him, because he was a man of worth.
Now, after he was taken hence, was I not forced, by reason of these children’s hatred, and because I was conscious of an hereditary feud, to leave no stone unturned by slaying, banishing, and plotting against them? So long as I did so, my safety was assured.
Suppose thyself hadst had my lot, wouldst not thou have set to harassing the lion’s angry whelps, instead of letting them dwell at Argos undisturbed? Thou wilt not persuade us otherwise. Now therefore, since they did not slay me then,
when I was prepared to die, by the laws of Hellas my death becomes a curse on him, who slays me now. The city wisely let me go, in that she regarded the gods more than her hatred of me. Thou hast had my answer to thy words; henceforth must
I be called avenging spirit and noble hero too.’Tis even thus with me; to die have I no wish, but, if I leave my life, I shall in no way be grieved.

> Greek: Χορός:
δεινόν τι καὶ συγγνωστόν, ὦ γύναι, σʼ ἔχει
νεῖκος πρὸς ἄνδρα τόνδε, γιγνώσκω καλῶς.
Ἐυρυσθεύς:
γύναι, σάφʼ ἴσθι μή με θωπεύσοντά σε,
μηδʼ ἄλλο μηδὲν τῆς ἐμῆς ψυχῆς πέρι
λέξονθʼ ὅθεν χρὴ δειλίαν ὀφλεῖν τινα.
ἐγὼ δὲ νεῖκος οὐχ ἑκὼν τόδʼ ἠράμην·
ᾔδη γε σοὶ μὲν αὐτανέψιος γεγώς,
τῷ σῷ δὲ παιδὶ συγγενὴς Ἡρακλέει.
ἀλλʼ εἴτʼ ἔχρῃζον εἴτε μή — θεὸς γὰρ ἦν —
Ἥρα με κάμνειν τήνδʼ ἔθηκε τὴν νόσον.
ἐπεὶ δʼ ἐκείνῳ δυσμένειαν ἠράμην
κἄγνων ἀγῶνα τόνδʼ ἀγωνιούμενος,
πολλῶν σοφιστὴς πημάτων ἐγιγνόμην
καὶ πόλλʼ ἔτικτον νυκτὶ συνθακῶν ἀεί,
ὅπως διώσας καὶ κατακτείνας ἐμοὺς
ἐχθροὺς τὸ λοιπὸν μὴ συνοικοίην φόβῳ,
εἰδὼς μὲν οὐκ ἀριθμὸν ἀλλʼ ἐτητύμως
ἄνδρʼ ὄντα τὸν σὸν παῖδα· καὶ γὰρ ἐχθρὸς ὢν
ἀκούσεται ⟨’μοί⟩ γʼ ἐσθλὰ χρηστὸς ὢν ἀνήρ.
κείνου δʼ ἀπαλλαχθέντος οὐκ ἐχρῆν μʼ ἄρα
μισούμενον πρὸς τῶνδε καὶ ξυνειδότα
ἔχθραν πατρῴαν, πάντα κινῆσαι πέτρον,
κτείνοντα κἀκβάλλοντα καὶ τεχνώμενον;
τοιαῦτα δρῶντι τἄμʼ ἐγίγνετʼ ἀσφαλῆ.
οὔκουν σύ γʼ ἀναλαβοῦσα τὰς ἐμὰς τύχας
ἐχθροῦ λέοντος δυσγενῆ βλαστήματα
ἤλαυνες ἂν κακοῖσιν, ἀλλὰ σωφρόνως
εἴασας οἰκεῖν Ἄργος; οὔτινʼ ἂν πίθοις.
νῦν οὖν ἐπειδή μʼ οὐ διώλεσαν τότε
πρόθυμον ὄντα, τοῖσιν Ἑλλήνων νόμοις
οὐχ ἁγνός εἰμι τῷ κτανόντι κατθανών·
πόλις τʼ ἀφῆκε σωφρονοῦσα, τὸν θεὸν
μεῖζον τίουσα τῆς ἐμῆς ἔχθρας πολύ.
προσεῖπας, ἀντήκουσας· ἐντεῦθεν δὲ χρὴ
τὸν προστρόπαιον τόν τε γενναῖον καλεῖν.
οὕτω γε μέντοι τἄμ’ ἔχεις· θανεῖν μὲν οὐ
χρῄζω, λιπὼν δʼ ἂν οὐδὲν ἀχθοίμην βίον.
…
…
…

[¶104] Chorus:
Alcmena, fain I would advise thee somewhat; let this man go, for ’tis the city’s will.

> Greek: Χορός:
παραινέσαι σοι σμικρόν, Ἀλκμήνη, θέλω,
τὸν ἄνδρʼ ἀφεῖναι τόνδʼ, ἐπεὶ δοκεῖ πόλει.

[¶105] Alcmena:
Suppose he die, and yet I obey the city?

> Greek: Ἀλκμήνη:
τί δʼ, ἢν θάνῃ τε καὶ πόλει πιθώμεθα;

[¶106] Chorus:
That would be best of all; but how can this be?

> Greek: Χορός:
τὰ λῷστ’ ἂν εἴη· πῶς τάδʼ οὖν γενήσεται;

[¶107] Alcmena:
I will teach thee easily. I will slay him and then give up his corpse to those of his friends, who come for it, for, as regards his body, I will not disobey the state;
but by his death shall he pay me the penalty.
Eurystheus:
Slay me, I do not ask thee for mercy; yet since this city let me go and shrunk from slaying me, I will reward it with an old oracle of Loxias, which in time will benefit them more than doth appear.
Bury my body after death in its destined grave in front of the shrine of the virgin goddess at Pallene. And I will be thy friend and guardian of thy city for ever, where I lie buried in a foreign soil, but a bitter foe to these children’s descendants,
whensoe’er with gathered host they come against this land, traitors to your kindness now; such are the strangers ye have championed. Why then came I hither, if I knew all this, instead of regarding the god’s oracle? Because I thought, that Hera was mightier far than any oracle,
and would not betray me. Waste no drink-offering on my tomb, nor spill the victim’s blood; for I will requite them for my treatment here with a journey they shall rue; and ye shall have double gain from me, for I will help you and harm them by my death.

> Greek: Ἀλκμήνη:
ἐγὼ διδάξω ῥᾳδίως· κτανοῦσα γὰρ
τόνδʼ εἶτα νεκρὸν τοῖς μετελθοῦσιν φίλων
δώσω· τὸ γὰρ σῶμʼ οὐκ ἀπιστήσω χθονί,
οὗτος δὲ δώσει τὴν δίκην θανὼν ἐμοί.
Ἐυρυσθεύς:
κτεῖνʼ, οὐ παραιτοῦμαί σε· τήνδε δὲ πτόλιν,
ἐπεί μʼ ἀφῆκε καὶ κατῃδέσθη κτανεῖν,
χρησμῷ παλαιῷ Λοξίου δωρήσομαι,
ὃς ὠφελήσει μείζονʼ ἢ δοκεῖν χρόνῳ.
θανόντα γάρ με θάψεθʼ οὗ τὸ μόρσιμον,
δίας πάροιθε παρθένου Παλληνίδος·
καὶ σοὶ μὲν εὔνους καὶ πόλει σωτήριος
μέτοικος αἰεὶ κείσομαι κατὰ χθονός,
τοῖς τῶνδε δʼ ἐκγόνοισι πολεμιώτατος,
ὅταν μόλωσι δεῦρο σὺν πολλῇ χερὶ
χάριν προδόντες τήνδε. τοιούτων ξένων
προύστητε. πῶς οὖν ταῦτʼ ἐγὼ πεπυσμένος
δεῦρʼ ἦλθον, ἀλλʼ οὐ χρησμὸν ἠρόμην θεοῦ;
Ἥραν νομίζων θεσφάτων κρείσσω πολὺ
κοὐκ ἂν προδοῦναί μʼ. ἀλλὰ μήτε μοι χοὰς
μήθʼ αἷμʼ ἐάσῃς εἰς ἐμὸν στάξαι τόπον.
κακὸν γὰρ αὐτοῖς νόστον ἀντὶ τῶνδʼ ἐγὼ
δώσω· διπλοῦν δὲ κέρδος ἕξετʼ ἐξ ἐμοῦ,
ὑμᾶς τʼ ὀνήσω τούσδε τε βλάψω θανών.

[¶108] Alcmena:
Why, why delay to kill this man, after hearing this, since this is needed to secure the safety of your city and your children? Himself points out the safest road. Though the man is now our foe, yet after death is he our gain.
Away with him, ye servants, and cast him to the dogs when ye have slain him. Think not thou shalt live to cast me forth from my native land again.

> Greek: Ἀλκμήνη:
τί δῆτα μέλλετʼ, εἰ πόλει σωτηρίαν
κατεργάσασθαι τοῖσί τʼ ἐξ ἡμῶν χρεών,
κτείνειν τὸν ἄνδρα τόνδʼ, ἀκούοντες τάδε;
δείκνυσι γὰρ κέλευθον ἀσφαλεστάτην·
ἐχθρὸς μὲν ἁνήρ, ὠφελεῖ δὲ κατθανών.
κομίζετʼ αὐτόν, δμῶες· εἶτα χρὴ κυσὶν
δοῦναι κτανόντας· μὴ γὰρ ἐλπίσῃς ὅπως
αὖθις πατρῴας ζῶν ἔμʼ ἐκβαλεῖς χθονός.
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[¶109] Chorus:
I agree. Lead on, servants. Our conduct shall bring no stain of guilt upon our rulers.

> Greek: Ἡμιχόριον:
ταὐτὰ δοκεῖ μοι. στείχετʼ, ὀπαδοί.
τὰ γὰρ ἐξ ἡμῶν
καθαρῶς ἔσται βασιλεῦσιν.