（IRISandMADNESSvanish。）
　　CHORUS（chanting）
　　Alas！alas！lament，Ocity；thesonofZeus，thyfairestbloom，isbeingcutdown。
　　Woeisthee，Hellas！thatwiltcastfromtheethybenefactor，anddestroyhimashemadly，wildlydanceswherenopipeisheard。
　　Sheismountedonhercar，thequeenofsorrowandsighing，andisgoadingonhersteeds，asifforoutrage，theGorgonchildofNight，withhundredhissingserpent—heads，Madnessoftheflashingeyes。
　　Soonhaththegodchangedhisgoodfortune；soonwillhischildrenbreathetheirlast，slainbyafather’shand。
　　Ahme！alas！soonwillvengeance，mad，relentless，laylowbycrueldeaththyunhappyson，OZeus，exactingafullpenalty。
　　Alas，Ohouse！thefiendbeginsherdanceofdeathwithoutthecymbal’scrash，withnogladwavingofthewine—god’sstaff。
　　Woetothesehallstowardbloodshedshemoves，andnottopourlibationsofthejuiceofthegrape。
　　Ochildren，hastetofly；thatisthechantofdeathherpipingplays。
　　Ah，yes！heischasingthechildren。Never，ah！neverwillMadnessleadherrevelroutinvain。
　　Ahmisery！
　　Ahme！howIlamentthatagedsire，thatmothertoothatborehisbabesinvain。
　　Look！look！
　　Atempestrocksthehouse；theroofisfallingwithit。
　　Oh！whatartthoudoing，sonofZeus？
　　Thouartsendinghell’sconfusionagainstthyhouse，aserstdidPallasonEnceladus。
　　（AMESSENGERentersfromthepalace。）
　　MESSENGER
　　Yehoarymenofeld！
　　CHORUS
　　Why，oh！whythisloudaddresstome？
　　MESSENGER
　　Awfulisthesightwithin！
　　CHORUS
　　Noneedformetocallanothertoannouncethat。
　　MESSENGER
　　Deadliethechildren。
　　CHORUS
　　Alas！
　　MESSENGER
　　Ahweep！forhereiscauseforweeping。
　　CHORUS
　　Acruelmurder，wroughtbyparents’hands！
　　MESSENGER
　　Nowordscanuttermorethanwehavesuffered。
　　CHORUS
　　What，canstthouprovethispiteousruinwasafather’soutrageonhischildren？Tellmehowtheseheaven—sentwoescamerushingonthehouse；sayhowthechildrenmettheirsadmischance。
　　MESSENGER
　　VictimstopurifythehousewerestationedbeforethealtarofZeus，forHeracleshadslainandcastfromhishallsthekingoftheland。Therestoodhisgroupoflovelychildren，withhissireandMegara；andalreadythebasketwasbeingpassedroundthealtar，andwewerekeepingholysilence。ButjustasAlcmena’ssonwasbringingthetorchinhisrighthandtodipitintheholywater，hestoppedwithoutaword。Andastheirfatherlingered，hischildrenlookedathim；andlo！hewaschanged；hiseyeswererolling；hewasdistraught；
　　hiseyeballswerebloodshotandstartingfromtheirsockets，andfoamwasoozingdownhisbeardedcheek。Anonhespoke，laughingthewhileamadman’slaugh，"Father，whyshouldIsacrificebeforeI
　　haveslainEurystheus，whykindlethepurifyingflameandhavethetoiltwiceover，whenImightatonestrokesofairlyenditall？SoonasIhavebroughttheheadofEurystheushither，Iwillcleansemyhandsforthosealreadyslain。Spillthewater，castthebasketsfromyourhands。Ho！givemenowmybowandclub！TofamedMycenaewillIgo；crow—barsandpick—axesmustItake，forIwillheavefromtheirverybasewithironleversthosecity—wallswhichtheCyclopessquaredwithredplumb—lineandmason’stools。"
　　Thenhesetout，andthoughhehadnochariotthere，hethoughthehad，andwasformountingtoitsseat，andusingagoadasthoughhisfingersreallyheldone。Atwofoldfeelingfilledhisservants’
　　breasts，halfamusement，andhalffear；andonelookingtohisneighboursaid，"Isourmastermakingsportforus，orishemad？"Buthethewhilewaspacingtoandfroinhishouse；and，rushingintothemen’schamber，hethoughthehadreachedthecityofNisus，albeithehadgoneintohisownhalls。Sohethrewhimselfuponthefloor，asifhewerethere，andmadereadytofeast。ButafterwaitingabriefspacehebegansayinghewasonhiswaytotheplainsamidthevalleysoftheIsthmus；andthenstrippinghimselfofhismantle，hefelltocompetingwithanimaginaryrival，o’erwhomheproclaimedhimselfvictorwithhisownvoice，callingonimaginaryspectatorstolisten。Next，fancycarryinghimtoMycenae，hewasutteringfearfulthreatsagainstEurystheus。Meantimehisfathercaughthimbyhisstalwartarm，andthusaddressedhim，"Myson，whatmeanestthouhereby？Whatstrangedoingsarethese？Canitbethatthebloodofthylatevictimshasdriventheefrantic？"Buthe，supposingitwasthefatherofEurystheusstrivinginabjectsupplicationtotouchhishand，thrusthimaside，andthenagainsthisownchildrenaimedhisbowandmadereadyhisquiver，thinkingtoslaythesonsofEurystheus。Andtheyinwildaffrightdartedhitherandthither，onetohishaplessmother’sskirts，anothertotheshadowofapillar，whileathirdcowered’neaththealtarlikeabird。Thencriedtheirmother，"Ofather，whatartthoudoing？dostmeantoslaythychildren？"Likewisehisagedsireandallthegatheredservantscriedaloud。Buthe，huntingthechildroundandround，thecolumn，indreadfulcircles，andcomingfacetofacewithhimshothimtotheheart；andhefelluponhisback，sprinklingthestonepillarswithbloodashegaspedouthislife。ThendidHeraclesshoutforjoyandboastedloud，"HereliesoneofEurystheus’brooddeadatmyfeet，atoningforhisfather’shate。"Againstaseconddidheaimhisbow，whohadcrouchedatthealtar’sfootthinkingtoescapeunseen。Buterehefired，thepoorchildthrewhimselfathisfather’sknees，and，flinginghishandtoreachhisbeardorneck，cried，"Oh！slaymenot，dearfathermine！Iamthychild，thineown；’tisnosonofEurystheusthouwiltslay。"
　　Butthatother，withsavageGorgon—scowl，asthechildnowstoodinrangeofhisbalefularchery，smotehimonthehead，assmitesasmithhismolteniron，bringingdownhisclubuponthefair—hairedboy，andcrushedthebones。Thesecondcaught，awayhehiestoaddathirdvictimtotheothertwain。Buterehecould，thepoormothercaughtupherbabeandcarriedhimwithinthehouseandshutthedoors；forthwiththemadman，asthoughhereallywereattheCyclopeanwalls，prizesopenthedoorswithlevers，and，hurlingdowntheirposts，withonefellshaftlaidlowhiswifeandchild。Theninwildcareerhestartstoslayhisagedsire；butlo！therecameaphantom，—soitseemedtouson—lookers，—OfPallas，withplumedhelm，brandishingaspear；andshehurledarockagainstthebreastofHeracles，whichstayedhimfromhisfrenziedthirstforbloodandplungedhimintosleep；tothegroundhefell，smitinghisbackagainstacolumnthathadfallenonthefloorintwainwhentherooffellin。Thereonweralliedfromourflight，andwiththeoldman’saidboundhimfastwithknottedcordstothepillar，thatonhisawakeninghemightdonofurtherevil。Sotherehesleeps，poorwretch！asleepthatisnotblest，havingmurderedwifeandchildren；nay，formypartknownotanysonofmanmoremiserablethanhe。
　　（TheMESSENGERwithdraws。）
　　CHORUS（singing）
　　ThatmurderwroughtbythedaughtersofDanaus，whereofmynativeArgoswots，wasformerlythemostfamousandnotoriousinHellas；butthishathsurpassedandoutdonethoseprevioushorrors。
　　IcouldtellofthemurderofthatpoorsonofZeus，whomProcne，motherofanonlychild，slewandofferedtotheMuses；butthouhadstthreechildren，wretchedparent，andallofthemhastthouinthyfrenzyslain。Whatgroansorwails，whatfuneraldirge，orchantofdeathamItoraise？Alasandwoe！see，thebolteddoorsoftheloftypalacearebeingrolledapart。Ahme！beholdthesechildrenlyingdeadbeforetheirwretchedfather，whoissunkinawfulslumberaftersheddingtheirblood。Roundhimarebondsandcords，madefastwithmanyaknotaboutthebodyofHeracles，andlashedtothestonecolumnsofhishouse。Whilehe，theagedsire，likemother—birdwailingherunfledgedbrood，comeshastinghitherwithhaltingstepsonhisbitterjourney。
　　（ThecentraldoorsofthepalacehaveopenedandhavedisclosedHERACLESlyingasleep，boundtoashatteredcolumn。AMPHITRYON
　　stepsout。ThefollowinglinesbetweenAMPHITRYONandtheCHORUSarechantedresponsively。）
　　AMPHITRYON
　　Softly，softly！yeagedsonsofThebes，lethimsleeponandforgethissorrows。
　　CHORUS
　　Forthee，oldfriend，Iweepandmourn，forthechildrentooandthatvictoriouschief。
　　AMPHITRYON
　　Standfurtheroff，makenonoisenoroutcry，rousehimnotfromhiscalmdeepslumber。
　　CHORUS
　　Ohorrible！allthisblood—
　　AMPHITRYON
　　Hush，hush！yewillbemyruin。
　　CHORUS
　　Thathehasspiltisrisingupagainsthim。
　　AMPHITRYON
　　Gentlyraiseyourdirgeofwoe，oldfriends；lesthewake，and，burstinghisbonds，destroythecity，rendhissire，anddashhishousetopieces。
　　CHORUS
　　Icannot，cannot—
　　AMPHITRYON
　　Hush！letmenotehisbreathing；come，letmeputmyearclose。
　　CHORUS
　　Ishesleeping？
　　AMPHITRYON
　　Aye，thatishe，adeathlysleep，havingslainwifeandchildrenwiththearrowsofhistwangingbow。
　　CHORUS
　　Ah！mourn—
　　AMPHITRYON
　　Ido。
　　CHORUS
　　Thechildren’sdeath；
　　AMPHITRYON
　　Ahme！
　　CHORUS
　　Andthyownson’sdoom。
　　AMPHITRYON
　　Ahmisery！
　　CHORUS
　　Oldfriend—
　　AMPHITRYON
　　Hush！hush！heisturning，heiswaking！OhOh！letmehidemyselfbeneaththecovertofyonroof。
　　CHORUS
　　Courage！darknessstillbroodso’erthyson’seye。
　　AMPHITRYON
　　Oh！beware；’tisnotthatIshrinkfromleavingthelightaftermymiseries，poorwretch！butshouldheslaymethatamhisfather，thenwillhebedevisingwoeonwoe，andtotheavengingcursewilladdaparent’sblood。
　　CHORUS
　　Wellfortheehadstthoudiedinthatday，when，towinthywife，thoudidstgoforthtoexactvengeanceforherslainbrethrenbysackingtheTaphians’sea—beattown。
　　AMPHITRYON
　　Fly，fly，myagedfriends，hastefrombeforethepalace，escapehiswakingfury！Forsoonwillheheapupfreshcarnageontheold，rangingwildlyoncemorethroughthestreetsofThebes。
　　CHORUS
　　OZeus，whyhastthoushownsuchsavagehateagainstthineownsonandplungedhiminthisseaoftroubles？
　　HERACLES（waking）
　　Aha！mybreathreturns；Iamalive；andmyeyessee，openingontheskyandearthandyonsun’sdartingbeam；buthowmysensesreel！inwhatstrangeturmoilamIplunged！myfeveredbreathinquickspasmodicgaspsescapesmylungs。Hownow？whyamIlyinghere，madefastwithcableslikeaship，mybrawnychestandarmstiedtoashatteredpieceofmasonry，withcorpsesformyneighbours；whileo’erthefloormybowandarrowsarescattered，thaterstliketrustysquirestomyarmbothkeptmesafeandwerekeptsafeofme？SurelyI
　　amnotcomeasecondtimetoHades’halls，havingjustreturnedfromthenceforEurystheus？No，IdonotseeSisyphuswithhisstone，orPluto，orhisqueen，Demeter’schild。SurelyIamdistraught；IcannotrememberwhereIam。Ho，there！whichofmyfriendsisnearorfartohelpmeinmyignorance？ForIhavenoclearknowledgeofthingsoncefamiliar。
　　AMPHITRYON
　　Myagedfriends，shallIapproachthesceneofmysorrow？
　　LEADEROFTHECHORUS
　　Yes，andletmegowiththee，nordeserttheeinthytrouble。
　　HERACLES
　　Father，whydostthouweepandveilthyeyes，standingalooffromthybelovedson？
　　AMPHITRYON
　　Mychild！minestill，forallthymisery。
　　HERACLES
　　Why，whatistheresosadinmycasethatthoudostweep？
　　AMPHITRYON
　　Thatwhichmightmakeanyofthegodsweep，werehetosufferso。
　　HERACLES
　　Aboldassertionthat，butthouartnotyetexplainingwhathashappened。
　　AMPHITRYON
　　Thineowneyesseethat，ifbythistimethouarerestoredtothysenses。
　　HERACLES
　　Fillinthysketchifanychangeawaitsmylife。
　　AMPHITRYON
　　Iwillexplain，ifthouartnolongermadasafiendofhell。
　　HERACLES
　　Godhelpus！whatsuspicionsthesedarkhintsofthineagainexcite！
　　AMPHITRYON
　　Iamstilldoubtfulwhetherthouartinthysobersenses。
　　HERACLES
　　Ineverrememberbeingmad。
　　AMPHITRYON
　　AmItoloosemyson，oldfriends，orwhat？
　　HERACLES
　　Looseandsaywhoboundme；forIfeelshameatthis。
　　AMPHITRYON
　　Restcontentwithwhatthouknowestofthywoes；therestforego。
　　HERACLES
　　Enough！Ihavenowishtoprobethysilence。
　　AMPHITRYON
　　OZeus，dostthoubeholdthesedeedsproceedingfromthethroneofHera？
　　HERACLES
　　What！haveIsufferedsomethingfromherenmity？
　　AMPHITRYON
　　Atrucetothegoddess！attendtothyowntroubles。
　　HERACLES
　　Iamundone；whatmischancewiltthouunfold？
　　AMPHITRYON
　　Seeherethecorpsesofthychildren。
　　HERACLES
　　Ohorror！whathideoussightishere？ahme！
　　AMPHITRYON
　　Myson，againstthychildrenhastthouwagedunnaturalwar。
　　HERACLES
　　War！whatmeanstthou？whokilledthese？
　　AMPHITRYON
　　Thouandthybowandsomegod，whosohebethatistoblame。
　　HERACLES
　　Whatsaystthou？whathaveIdone？Speak，father，thoumessengerofevil。
　　AMPHITRYON
　　Thouwertdistraught；’tisasadexplanationthouartasking。
　　HERACLES
　　WasitIthatslewmywifealso？
　　AMPHITRYON
　　Thyownunaidedarmhathdoneallthis。
　　HERACLES
　　Ah，woeisme！acloudofsorrowwrapsmeround。
　　AMPHITRYON
　　ThereasonthisthatIlamentthyfate。
　　HERACLES
　　DidIdashmyhousetopiecesorinciteothersthereto？
　　AMPHITRYON
　　NaughtknowIsavethis，thatthouartutterlyundone。
　　HERACLES
　　Wheredidmyfrenzyseizeme？wherediditdestroyme？
　　AMPHITRYON
　　Inthemomentthouwertpurifyingthyselfwitbfireatthealtar。
　　HERACLES
　　Ahme！whydoIsparemyownlifewhenIhavetakenthatofmydearchildren？ShallInothastentoleapfromsomesheerrock，oraimtheswordagainstmyheartandavengemychildren’sblood，orburnmybodyinthefireandsoavertfrommylifetheinfamywhichnowawaitsme？
　　ButhitherIseeTheseuscomingtocheckmydeadlycounsels，mykinsmanandfriend。NowshallIstandrevealed，andthedearestofmyfriendswillseethepollutionIhaveincurredbymychildren’smurder。Ah，woeisme！whatamItodo？WherecanIfindreleasefrommysorrows？shallItakewingsorplungebeneaththeearth？Come，letmeveilmyheadindarkness；forIamashamedoftheevilIhavedone，and，sincefortheseIhaveincurredfreshblood—guiltiness，I
　　wouldfainnotharmtheinnocent。
　　（THESEUSandhisretinueenter。）
　　THESEUS
　　Iamcome，andotherswithme，youngwarriorsfromthelandofAthens，encampedbythestreamsofAsopus，tohelpthyson，oldfriend。ForarumourreachedthecityoftheErechtheidae，thatLycushadusurpedthesceptreofthislandandwasbecomeyourenemyeventobattle。WhereforeIcamemakingrecompensefortheformerkindnessofHeraclesinsavingmefromtheworldbelow，ifhaplyyehaveanyneedofsuchaidasIormyalliescangive，oldprince。
　　Ha！whatmeansthisheapofdeaduponthefloor？SurelyIhavenotdelayedtoolongandcometoolatetochecknewills？Whoslewthesechildren？whosewifeisthisIsee？Boysdonotgotobattle；nay，itmustbesomeotherstrangemischanceIherediscover。
　　（ThefollowinglinesbetweenTHESEUSandAMPHITRYONarechantedresponsively。）
　　AMPHITRYON
　　Oking，whosehomeisthatolive—cladhill！
　　THESEUS
　　Whythispiteouspreludeinaddressingme？
　　AMPHITRYON
　　Heavenhasafflicteduswithgrievoussuffering。
　　THESEUS
　　Whosebethesechildren，o’erwhomthouweepest？
　　AMPHITRYON
　　Myownson’schildren，woetohim！theirfatherandbutcherbothwashe，hardeninghishearttothebloodydeed。
　　THESEUS
　　Hushgoodwordsonly！
　　AMPHITRYON
　　IwouldIcouldobey！
　　THESEUS
　　Whatdreadfulwords！
　　AMPHITRYON
　　Fortunehasspreadherwings，andweareruined，ruined。
　　THESEUS
　　Whatmeanestthou？whathathhedone？
　　AMPHITRYON
　　Slaintheminawildfitoffrenzywitharrowsdippedinthevenomofthehundred—headedhydra。
　　THESEUS
　　ThisisHera’swork；butwholiesthereamongthedead，oldman？
　　AMPHITRYON
　　Myson，myownenduringson，thatmarchedwithgodstoPhlegra’splain，theretobattlewithgiantsandslaythem，warriorthathewas。
　　THESEUS
　　Ah，woeforhim！whosefortunewase’ersocurstashis？
　　AMPHITRYON
　　Neverwiltthoufindanotherthathathbornealargershareofsufferingorbeenmorefatallydeceived。
　　THESEUS
　　Whydothheveilhishead，poorwretch，inhisrobe？
　　AMPHITRYON
　　Heisashamedtomeetthineeye；hiskinsman’skindintentandhischildren’sbloodmakehimabashed。
　　THESEUS
　　ButIcometosympathize；uncoverhim。
　　AMPHITRYON
　　Myson，removethatmantlefromthineeyes，throwitfromthee，showthyfareuntothesun；acounterpoisetoweepingisbattlingforthemastery。InsuppliantwiseIentreatthee，asIgraspthybeard，thyknees，thyhands，andletfallthetearfrommyoldeyes。O
　　mychild！restrainthysavagelion—liketemper，forthouartrushingforthonanunholycourseofbloodshed，eagertojoinwoetowoe。
　　THESEUS
　　Ho！TotheeIcallwhoarthuddledthereinthymisery，showtotheyfriendsthyface；fornodarknessisblackenoughtohidethysadmischance。Whydostthouwavethyhandatme，signifyingmurder？isitthatImaynotbepollutedbyspeakingwiththee？IfIsharethymisfortune，whatisthattome？ForifItoohadluckindaysgoneby，mustreferittothetimewhenthoudidstbringmesafefromthedeadtothelightoflife。Ihateafriendwhosegratitudegrowsold；onewhoreadytoenjoyhisfriends’prosperitybutunwillingtosailinthesameshipwiththemwhentheirfortunelours。Arise，unveilthyhead，poorwretch！andlookonme。Thegallantsoulendureswithoutawordsuchblowsasheavendeals。
　　HERACLES
　　OTheseus，didstthouwitnessthisstrugglewithmychildren？
　　THESEUS
　　Iheardofit，andnowIseethehorrorsthoumeanest。
　　HERACLES
　　Whythenhastthouunveiledmyheadtothesun？
　　THESEUS
　　WhyhaveI？Thou，aman，canstnotpollutewhatisofGod。
　　HERACLES
　　Fly，lucklesswretch，frommyunholytaint。
　　THESEUS
　　Theavengingfiendgoesnotforthfromfriendtofriend。
　　HERACLES
　　ForthisIthankthee；IdonotregrettheserviceIdidthee。
　　THESEUS
　　WhileI，forkindnessthenreceived，nowshowmypityforthee。
　　HERACLES
　　Ahyes！Iampiteous，amurdererofmysons。
　　THESEUS
　　Iweepfortheeinthychangedfortunes。
　　HERACLES
　　Didsteverfindanothermoreafflicted？
　　THESEUS
　　Thymisfortunesreachfromearthtoheaven。
　　HERACLES
　　ThereforeamIresolvedondeath。
　　THESEUS
　　Dostthousupposethegodsattendtothesethythreats？
　　HERACLES
　　Remorselesshathheavenbeentome；soIwillprovetheliketoit。
　　THESEUS
　　Hush！lestthypresumptionaddtothysufferings。
　　HERACLES
　　Mybarqueisfreightedfullwithsorrow；thereisnoroomtostowaughtfurther。
　　THESEUS
　　Whatwiltthoudo？whitheristhyfurydriftingthee？
　　HERACLES
　　IwilldieandreturntothatworldbelowwhenceIhavejustcome。
　　THESEUS
　　Suchlanguageisfitforanycommonfellow。
　　HERACLES
　　Ah！thineistheadviceofoneoutsidesorrow’spale。
　　THESEUS
　　AretheseindeedthewordsofHeracles，themuch—enduring？
　　HERACLES
　　Thoughneversomuchasthis。Endurancemusthavealimit。
　　THESEUS
　　Isthisman’sbenefactor，hischiefestfriend？
　　HERACLES
　　Manbringsnohelptome；no！Herahasherway。
　　THESEUS
　　NeverwillHellassuffertheetodiethroughsheerperversity。
　　HERACLES
　　Hearmeamoment，thatImayenterthelistswithwordsinanswertothyadmonitions；andIwillunfoldtotheewhylifenowaswellasformerlyhasbeenunbearabletome。FirstIamthesonofamanwhoincurredtheguiltofblood，beforehemarriedmymotherAlcmena，byslayingheragedsire。Nowwhenthefoundationisbadlylaidatbirth，needsmusttheracebecursedwithwoe；andZeus，whoeverthisZeusmaybe，begotmeasabuttforHera’shate；yetbenotthouvexedthereat，oldman；fortheeratherthanZeusdoIregardasmyfather。ThenwhilstIwasyetbeingsuckled，thatbrideofZeusdidfoistintomycradlefearsomesnakestocompassmydeath。
　　AfterIwasgrowntoman’sestate，ofallthetoilsIthenenduredwhatneedtotell？ofallthelions，Typhonstriple—bodied，andgiantsthatIslew；orofthebattleIwonagainstthehostsoffour—leggedCentaurs？orhowwhenIhadkilledthehydra，thatmonsterwitharingofheadswithpowertogrowagain，IpassedthroughcountlessothertoilsbesidesandcameuntothedeadtofetchtothelightatthebiddingofEurystheusthethree—headedhound，hell’sporter。Last，ah，woeismehaveIperpetratedthisbloodydeedtocrownthesorrowsofmyhousewithmychildren’smurder。TothissorestraitamI
　　come；nolongermayIdwellinThebes，thecitythatIlove；forsupposeIstay，towhattempleorgatheringoffriendsshallIrepair？
　　Formineisnocursethatinvitesaddress。ShallItoArgos？howcanI，whenIamanexilefrommycountry？Well，isthereasingleothercityIcanflyto？Andiftherewere，amItobelookedataskanceasamarkedman，brandedbycruelstabbingtongues，"IsnotthisthesonofZeusthatoncemurderedwifeandchildren？Plaguetakehimfromtheland！"
　　Nowtoonewhowaserstcalledhappy，suchchangesareagrievousthing；thoughhewhoisalwaysunfortunatefeelsnosuchpain，forsorrowishisbirthright。This，methinks，isthepiteouspassIshallonedaycometo；forearthwillcryoutforbiddingmetotouchher，theseaandtheriver—springswillrefusemeacrossing，andIshallbecomelikeIxionwhorevolvesinchainsuponthatwheel。Whereforethisisbest，thathenceforthIbeseenbynoneoftheHellenes，amongstwhominhappierdaysIlivedinbliss。WhatrighthaveItolive？whatprofitcanIhaveinthepossessionofauseless，impiouslife？SoletthatnoblewifeofZeusbreakforthindancing，beatingwithbuskinedfootonheaven’sbrightfloor；fornowhathsheworkedherheart’sdesireinutterlyconfoundingthechiefestofHellas’sons。Whowouldpraytosuchagoddess？HerjealousyofZeusforhisloveofawomanhathdestroyedthebenefactorsofHellas，guiltlessthoughtheywere。
　　LEADEROFTHECHORUS
　　ThisistheworkofnoneotherofthegodsthanthewifeofZeus；thouartrightinthatsurmise。
　　THESEUS
　　Icannotcounselyoutodieratherthantogoonsuffering。
　　Thereisnotamanalivethathathwholly’scapedmisfortune’staint，noranygodeither，ifwhatpoetssingistrue。Havetheynotintermarriedinwaysthatlawforbids？Havetheynotthrownfathersintoignominiouschainstogainthesovereignpower？StilltheyinhabitOlympusandbravetheissueoftheircrimes。Andyetwhatshaltthousayinthydefence，ifthou，childofman，dostkickagainstthepricksoffate，whiletheydonot？Nay，then，leaveThebesincompliancewiththelaw，andcomewithmetothecityofPallas。
　　There，whenIhavepurifiedtheeofthypollution，willIgivetheetemplesandthehalfofallIhave。Yea，IwillgivetheeallthosepresentsIreceivedfromthecitizensforsavingtheirchildren，sevensonsanddaughtersseven，onthedayIslewthebullofCrete；forI
　　haveplotsoflandassignedmethroughoutthecountry；theseshallhenceforthbecalledaftertheebymen，whilstthoulivest；andatthydeath，whenthouartgonetoHades’halls，thecityofAthensshalluniteinexaltingthyhonourwithsacrificesandamonumentofstone。For’tisanoblecrownforcitizenstowinfromHellas，evenareputationfair，byhelpingamanofworth。ThisisthereturnthatIwillmaketheeforsavingme，fornowartthouinneedoffriends。Butwhenheavendelightstohonouraman，hehasnoneedoffriends；forthegod’said，whenhechoosestogiveit，isenough。
　　HERACLES
　　Alas！thisisquitebesidethequestionofmytroubles。Formypart，Idonotbelievethatthegodsindulgeinunholyunions；andasforputtingfettersonparents’hands，Ihaveneverthoughtthatworthyofbelief，norwillInowbesopersuaded，noragainthatonegodisnaturallylordandmasterofanother。Forthedeity，ifhebereallysuch，hasnowants；thesearemiserablefictionsofthepoets。ButI，forallmypiteousplight，reflectedwhetherIshouldletmyselfbebrandedasacowardforgivingupmylife。Forwhososchoolethnothisfrailmortalnaturetobearfate’sbuffetsasheought，willneverbeabletowithstandevenaman’sweapon。Iwillhardenmyheartagainstdeathandseekthycity，withgratefulthanksforallthouofferestme。
　　（Heweeps。）
　　OfcountlesstroubleshaveItasted，Godknows，butneveryetdidfaintatanyorshedasingletear；nay，noreverdreamtthatI
　　shouldcometothis，toletthetear—dropfall。Butnow，itseems，I
　　mustbefortune’sslave。Well，letitpass；oldfathermine，thouseestmegoforthtoexile，andinmebeholdestmyownchildren’smurderer。Givethemburialandlaythemoutindeathwiththetributeofatear，forthelawforbidsmydoingso。Resttheirheadsupontheirmother’sbosomandfoldtheminherarms，sadpledgesofourunion，whomI，alas！unwittinglydidslay。Andwhenthouhastburiedthesedead，liveonherestill，inbitternesmaybe，butstillconstrainthysoultosharemysorrows。Ochildren！hewhobegatyou，yourownfather，hathbeenyourdestroyer，andyehavehadnoprofitofmytriumphs，allmyrestlesstoiltowinyouafairnameinlife，agloriousguerdonfromasire。Theetoo，unhappywife，thishandhathslain，apoorreturntomaketheeforpreservingminehonoursosafe，forallthewearywatchthoulonghastkeptwithinmyhouse。Alasforyou，mywife，mysons！andwoeforme，howsadmylot，cutofffromwifeandchild！Ah！thesekisses，bitter—sweet！
　　theseweaponswhich’tispaintoown！Iamnotsurewhethertokeeporletthemgo；danglingatmysidetheythuswillsay，"Withusdidstthoudestroychildrenandwife；wearethychildren’sslayers，andthoukeepestus。"ShallIcarrythemafterthat？whatanswercanI
　　make？Yet，amItostripmeoftheseweapons，thecomradesofmygloriouscareerinHellas，andputmyselftherebyinthepowerofmyfoes，todieadeathofshame？No！Imustnotletthemgo，butkeepthem，thoughitgrieveme。Inonething，Theseus，helpmymisery；cometoArgoswithmeandaidinsettlingmyrewardforbringingCerberusthither；lest，ifIgoallalone，mysorrowformysonsdomesomehurt。
　　OlandofCadmus，andallyefolkofThebes！cutoffyourhair，andmournwithme；gotomychildren’sburial，andwithuniteddirgelamentalikethedeadandme；foronallofushathHerainflictedthesamecruelblowofdestruction。
　　THESEUS
　　Rise，unhappyman！thouhasthadthyfilloftears。
　　HERACLES
　　Icannotrise；mylimbsarerootedhere。
　　THESEUS
　　Yea，eventhestrongareo’erthrownbymisfortunes。
　　HERACLES
　　Ah！wouldIcouldgrowintoastoneuponthisspot，obliviousoftrouble！
　　THESEUS
　　Peace！givethyhandtoafriendandhelper。
　　HERACLES
　　Nay，letmenotwipeofftheblooduponthyrobe。
　　THESEUS
　　Wipeitoffandsparenot；Iwillnotsaytheenay。
　　HERACLES
　　Reftofmyownsons，Ifindtheeasasontome。
　　THESEUS
　　Throwthyarmaboutmyneck；Iwillbethyguide。
　　HERACLES
　　Apairoffriendsinsootharewe，butoneamanofsorrows。Ah！
　　agedsire，thisisthekindofmantomakeafriend。
　　AMPHITRYON
　　Blestinhersons，thecountrythatgavehimbirth！
　　HERACLES
　　OTheseus，turnmebackagaintoseemybabes。
　　THESEUS
　　Whatcharmdostthinktofindinthistosoothethysoul？
　　HERACLES
　　Ilongtodoso，andwouldfainembracemysire。
　　AMPHITRYON
　　HereamI，myson；thywishisnolessdeartome。
　　THESEUS
　　Hastthousoshortamemoryforthytroubles？
　　HERACLES
　　AllthatIenduredofyorewaseasiertobearthanthis。
　　THESEUS
　　Ifmenseetheeplaythewoman，theywillscoff。
　　HERACLES
　　HaveIbylivinggrownsoabjectinthysight？’twasnotsoonce，methinks。
　　THESEUS
　　Aye，toomuchso；forhowdostshowthyselfthegloriousHeraclesofyore？
　　HERACLES
　　Whataboutthyself？whatkindofherowertthouwhenintroubleintheworldbelow？
　　THESEUS
　　Iwasworsethananyoneasfarascouragewent。
　　HERACLES
　　Howthencanstthousayofme，thatIamabasedbymytroubles？
　　THESEUS
　　Forward！
　　HERACLES
　　Farewell，myagedsire！
　　AMPHITRYON
　　Farewelltothee，myson！
　　HERACLES
　　BurymychildrenasIsaid。
　　AMPHITRYON
　　Butwhowillburyme，myson？
　　HERACLES
　　Iwill。
　　AMPHITRYON
　　Whenwiltthoucome？
　　HERACLES
　　Afterthouhastburiedmychildren。
　　AMPHITRYON
　　How？
　　HERACLES
　　IwillfetchtheefromThebestoAthens。Butcarrymychildrenwithin，agrievousburdentotheearth。AndI，afterruiningmyhousebydeedsofshame，willfollowinthewakeofTheseus，totallydestroyed。Whosopreferswealthormighttothepossessionofgoodfriends，thinkethamiss。
　　（THESEUSandhisattendantsleadHERACLESaway。）
　　CHORUS（chanting）
　　Withgriefandmanyabittertearwegoourway，robbedofallweprizedmostdearly。