（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。