Euripides Heracles 673

Lycus

Amphitryon, it is high time you came forth from the palace; you have been too long arraying yourselves in the robes and trappings of the dead. Come, bid the wife and children of Heracles

show themselves outside the house, to die on the conditions you yourselves offered.

705

Amphitryon

Lord, you persecute me in my misery and heap insult upon me over and above the loss of my son; you should have been more moderate in your zeal, though you are my lord and master.

But since you impose death’s necessity on me, I must acquiesce; what you wish must be done.

710

Lycus

Now, where is Megara? where are the children of Alcmena’s son?

Amphitryon

She, I believe, so far as I can guess from outside—

Lycus

What grounds do you have to base your fancy on?

Amphitryon

Is sitting as a suppliant on the altar’s hallowed steps—

715

Lycus

Imploring them quite uselessly to save her life.

Amphitryon

And calling on her dead husband, in vain.

Lycus

He is nowhere near, and he certainly will never come.

Amphitryon

No, unless perhaps a god should raise him from the dead.

Lycus

Go to her and bring her from the palace.

720

Amphitryon

By doing so I should become an accomplice in her murder.

Lycus

Since you have this scruple, I, who have left fear behind, will myself bring out the mother and her children. Follow me, servants,

that we may joyfully put an end to this delay of our work.

725

Amphitryon

Then go your way along the path of fate; for what remains, maybe another will provide. Expect for your evil deeds to find some trouble yourself. Ah! my aged friends, he is marching fairly to his doom; soon will he lie entangled in the snare

of the sword, thinking to slay his neighbors, the villain! I will go, to see him fall dead; for the sight of a foe being slain and paying the penalty of his misdeeds affords pleasurable feelings.

730

Exit Amphitryon.