Euripides, Heracles, ed. Gilbert Murray, 442-636

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Χορός

—ἀλλʼ ἐσορῶ γὰρ τούσδε φθιμένων

ἔνδυτʼ ἔχοντας, τοὺς τοῦ μεγάλου

δή ποτε παῖδας τὸ πρὶν Ἡρακλέους,

ἄλοχόν τε φίλην ὑπὸ σειραίοις
445

ποσὶν ἕλκουσαν τέκνα, καὶ γεραιὸν

πατέρʼ Ἡρακλέους. δύστηνος ἐγώ,

δακρύων ὡς οὐ δύναμαι κατέχειν

γραίας ὄσσων ἔτι πηγάς.
450

Μεγάρα

εἶἑν· τίς ἱερεύς, τίς σφαγεὺς τῶν δυσπότμων

ἢ τῆς ταλαίνης τῆς ἐμῆς ψυχῆς φονεύς;

ἕτοιμʼ ἄγειν τὰ θύματʼ εἰς Ἅιδου τάδε.

ὦ τέκνʼ, ἀγόμεθα ζεῦγος οὐ καλὸν νεκρῶν,

ὁμοῦ γέροντες καὶ νέοι καὶ μητέρες.
455

ὦ μοῖρα δυστάλαινʼ ἐμή τε καὶ τέκνων

τῶνδʼ, οὓς πανύστατʼ ὄμμασιν προσδέρκομαι

ἔτεκον μὲν ὑμᾶς, πολεμίοις δʼ ἐθρεψάμην

ὕβρισμα κἀπίχαρμα καὶ διαφθοράν.

φεῦ·
460

ἦ πολύ με δόξης ἐξέπαισαν ἐλπίδες,

ἣν πατρὸς ὑμῶν ἐκ λόγων ποτʼ ἤλπισα.

σοὶ μὲν γὰρ Ἄργος ἔνεμʼ ὁ κατθανὼν πατήρ,

Εὐρυσθέως δʼ ἔμελλες οἰκήσειν δόμους

τῆς καλλικάρπου κράτος ἔχων Πελασγίας,

στολήν τε θηρὸς ἀμφέβαλλε σῷ κάρᾳ
465

λέοντος, ᾗπερ αὐτὸς ἐξωπλίζετο·

σὺ δʼ ἦσθα Θηβῶν τῶν φιλαρμάτων ἄναξ,

ἔγκληρα πεδία τἀμὰ γῆς κεκτημένος,

ὡς ἐξέπειθες τὸν κατασπείραντά σε·

ἐς δεξιάν τε σὴν ἀλεξητήριον
470

ξύλον καθίει δαίδαλον, ψευδῆ δόσιν.

σοὶ δʼ ἣν ἔπερσε τοῖς ἑκηβόλοις ποτὲ

τόξοισι δώσειν Οἰχαλίαν ὑπέσχετο.

τρεῖς δʼ ὄντας ὑμᾶς τριπτύχοις τυραννίσι

πατὴρ ἐπύργου, μέγα φρονῶν εὐανδρίᾳ·
475

ἐγὼ δὲ νύμφας ἠκροθινιαζόμην,

κήδη συνάψουσʼ, ἔκ τʼ Ἀθηναίων χθονὸς

Σπάρτης τε Θηβῶν θʼ, ὡς ἀνημμένοι κάλῳς

πρυμνησίοισι βίον ἔχοιτʼ εὐδαίμονα.

καὶ ταῦτα φροῦδα· μεταβαλοῦσα δʼ ἡ τύχη
480

νύμφας μὲν ὑμῖν Κῆρας ἀντέδωκʼ ἔχειν,

ἐμοὶ δὲ δάκρυα λουτρά — δύστηνος φρενῶν.

πατὴρ δὲ πατρὸς ἑστιᾷ γάμους ὅδε,

Ἅιδην νομίζων πενθερόν, κῆδος πατρός.

ὤμοι, τίνʼ ὑμῶν πρῶτον ἢ τίνʼ ὕστατον
485

πρὸς στέρνα θῶμαι; τῷ προσαρμόσω στόμα;

τίνος λάβωμαι; πῶς ἂν ὡς ξουθόπτερος

μέλισσα συνενέγκαιμʼ ἂν ἐκ πάντων γόους,

ἐς ἓν δʼ ἐνεγκοῦσʼ ἀθρόον ἀποδοίην δάκρυ;

ὦ φίλτατʼ, εἴ τις φθόγγος εἰσακούεται
490

θνητῶν παρʼ Ἅιδῃ, σοὶ τάδʼ, Ἡράκλεις, λέγω·

θνῄσκει πατὴρ σὸς καὶ τέκνʼ, ὄλλυμαι δʼ ἐγώ,

ἣ πρὶν μακαρία διὰ σʼ ἐκλῃζόμην βροτοῖς.

ἄρηξον, ἐλθέ· καὶ σκιὰ φάνηθί μοι·

ἅλις γὰρ ἐλθὼν κἂν ὄναρ γένοιο σύ·
495

κακοὶ γάρ εἰσιν οἳ τέκνα κτείνουσι σά.

Ἀμφιτρύων

σὺ μὲν τὰ νέρθεν εὐτρεπῆ ποιοῦ, γύναι·

ἐγὼ δὲ σέ, ὦ Ζεῦ, χεῖρʼ ἐς οὐρανὸν δικὼν

αὐδῶ, τέκνοισιν εἴ τι τοισίδʼ ὠφελεῖν

μέλλεις, ἀμύνειν, ὡς τάχʼ οὐδὲν ἀρκέσεις.
500

καίτοι κέκλησαι πολλάκις· μάτην πονῶ·

θανεῖν γάρ, ὡς ἔοικʼ, ἀναγκαίως ἔχει.

ἀλλʼ, ὦ γέροντες, μικρὰ μὲν τὰ τοῦ βίου,

τοῦτον δʼ ὅπως ἥδιστα διαπεράσετε,

ἐξ ἡμέρας ἐς νύκτα μὴ λυπούμενοι.
505

ὡς ἐλπίδας μὲν ὁ χρόνος οὐκ ἐπίσταται

σῴζειν, τὸ δʼ αὑτοῦ σπουδάσας διέπτατο.

ὁρᾶτʼ ἔμʼ ὅσπερ ἦ περίβλεπτος βροτοῖς

ὀνομαστὰ πράσσων, καί μʼ ἀφείλεθʼ ἡ τύχη

ὥσπερ πτερὸν πρὸς αἰθέρʼ ἡμέρᾳ μιᾷ.
510

ὁ δʼ ὄλβος ὁ μέγας ἥ τε δόξʼ οὐκ οἶδʼ ὅτῳ

βέβαιός ἐστι. χαίρετʼ· ἄνδρα γὰρ φίλον

πανύστατον νῦν, ἥλικες, δεδόρκατε.

Μεγάρα

ἔα·

ὦ πρέσβυ, λεύσσω τἀμὰ φίλτατʼ· ἢ τί φῶ;

Ἀμφιτρύων

οὐκ οἶδα, θύγατερ· ἀφασία δὲ κἄμʼ ἔχει.
515

Μεγάρα

ὅδʼ ἐστὶν ὃν γῆς νέρθεν εἰσηκούομεν,

εἰ μή γʼ ὄνειρον ἐν φάει τι λεύσσομεν.

τί φημί; ποῖʼ ὄνειρα κηραίνουσʼ ὁρῶ;

οὐκ ἔσθʼ ὅδʼ ἄλλος ἀντὶ σοῦ παιδός, γέρον.

δεῦρʼ, ὦ τέκνʼ, ἐκκρίμνασθε πατρῴων πέπλων,
520

ἴτʼ ἐγκονεῖτε, μὴ μεθῆτʼ, ἐπεὶ Διὸς

σωτῆρος ὑμῖν οὐδέν ἐσθʼ ὅδʼ ὕστερος.

Ἡρακλῆς

ὦ χαῖρε, μέλαθρον πρόπυλά θʼ ἑστίας ἐμῆς,

ὡς ἄσμενός σʼ ἐσεῖδον ἐς φάος μολών.

ἔα· τί χρῆμα; τέκνʼ ὁρῶ πρὸ δωμάτων
525

στολμοῖσι νεκρῶν κρᾶτας ἐξεστεμμένα,

ὄχλῳ τʼ ἐν ἀνδρῶν τὴν ἐμὴν ξυνάορον,

πατέρα τε δακρύοντα — συμφορὰς τίνας;

φέρʼ ἐκπύθωμαι τῶνδε πλησίον σταθείς·

γύναι, τί καινὸν ἦλθε δώμασιν χρέος;
530

Μεγάρα

ὦ φίλτατʼ ἀνδρῶν

Ἀμφιτρύων

ὦ φάος μολὼν πατρί

Μεγάρα

ἥκεις, ἐσώθης εἰς ἀκμὴν ἐλθὼν φίλοις;

Ἡρακλῆς

τί φῄς; τίνʼ ἐς ταραγμὸν ἥκομεν, πάτερ;

Μεγάρα

διολλύμεσθα· σὺ δέ, γέρον, σύγγνωθί μοι,

εἰ πρόσθεν ἥρπασʼ ἃ σὲ λέγειν πρὸς τόνδʼ ἐχρῆν·
535

τὸ θῆλυ γάρ πως μᾶλλον οἰκτρὸν ἀρσένων,

καὶ τἄμʼ ἔθνῃσκε τέκνʼ, ἀπωλλύμην δʼ ἐγώ.

Ἡρακλῆς

Ἄπολλον, οἵοις φροιμίοις ἄρχῃ λόγου.

Μεγάρα

τεθνᾶσʼ ἀδελφοὶ καὶ πατὴρ οὑμὸς γέρων.

Ἡρακλῆς

πῶς φῄς; τί δράσας ἢ δορὸς ποίου τυχών;
540

Μεγάρα

Λύκος σφʼ ὁ καινὸς γῆς ἄναξ διώλεσεν.

Ἡρακλῆς

ὅπλοις ἀπαντῶν ἢ νοσησάσης χθονός;

Μεγάρα

στάσει· τὸ Κάδμου δʼ ἑπτάπυλον ἔχει κράτος.

Ἡρακλῆς

τί δῆτα πρὸς σὲ καὶ γέροντʼ ἦλθεν φόβος;

Μεγάρα

κτείνειν ἔμελλε πατέρα κἀμὲ καὶ τέκνα.
545

Ἡρακλῆς

τί φῄς; τί ταρβῶν ὀρφάνευμʼ ἐμῶν τέκνων;

Μεγάρα

μή ποτε Κρέοντος θάνατον ἐκτεισαίατο.

Ἡρακλῆς

κόσμος δὲ παίδων τίς ὅδε νερτέροις πρέπων;

Μεγάρα

θανάτου τάδʼ ἤδη περιβόλαιʼ ἀνήμμεθα.

Ἡρακλῆς

καὶ πρὸς βίαν ἐθνῄσκετʼ; ὦ τλήμων ἐγώ.
550

Μεγάρα

φίλων γʼ ἔρημοι· σὲ δὲ θανόντʼ ἠκούομεν.

Ἡρακλῆς

πόθεν δʼ ἐς ὑμᾶς ἥδʼ ἐσῆλθʼ ἀθυμία;

Μεγάρα

Εὐρυσθέως κήρυκες ἤγγελλον τάδε.

Ἡρακλῆς

τί δʼ ἐξελείπετʼ οἶκον ἑστίαν τʼ ἐμήν;

Μεγάρα

βίᾳ, πατὴρ μὲν ἐκπεσὼν στρωτοῦ λέχους
555

Ἡρακλῆς

κοὐκ ἔσχεν αἰδῶ τὸν γέροντʼ ἀτιμάσαι;

Μεγάρα

αἰδώς γʼ ἀποικεῖ τῆσδε τῆς θεοῦ πρόσω.

Ἡρακλῆς

οὕτω δʼ ἀπόντες ἐσπανίζομεν φίλων;

Μεγάρα

φίλοι γάρ εἰσιν ἀνδρὶ δυστυχεῖ τίνες;

Ἡρακλῆς

μάχας δὲ Μινυῶν ἃς ἔτλην ἀπέπτυσαν;
560

Μεγάρα

ἄφιλον, ἵνʼ αὖθίς σοι λέγω, τὸ δυστυχές.

Ἡρακλῆς

οὐ ῥίψεθʼ Ἅιδου τάσδε περιβολὰς κόμης

καὶ φῶς ἀναβλέψεσθε, τοῦ κάτω σκότου

φίλας ἀμοιβὰς ὄμμασιν δεδορκότες;

ἐγὼ δέ — νῦν γὰρ τῆς ἐμῆς ἔργον χερός —
565

πρῶτον μὲν εἶμι καὶ κατασκάψω δόμους

καινῶν τυράννων, κρᾶτα δʼ ἀνόσιον τεμὼν

ῥίψω κυνῶν ἕλκημα· Καδμείων δʼ ὅσους

κακοὺς ἐφηῦρον εὖ παθόντας ἐξ ἐμοῦ,

τῷ καλλινίκῳ τῷδʼ ὅπλῳ χειρώσομαι·
570

τοὺς δὲ πτερωτοῖς διαφορῶν τοξεύμασι

νεκρῶν ἅπαντʼ Ἰσμηνὸν ἐμπλήσω φόνου,

Δίρκης τε νᾶμα λευκὸν αἱμαχθήσεται.

τῷ γάρ μʼ ἀμύνειν μᾶλλον ἢ δάμαρτι χρὴ

καὶ παισὶ καὶ γέροντι; χαιρόντων πόνοι·
575

μάτην γὰρ αὐτοὺς τῶνδε μᾶλλον ἤνυσα.

καὶ δεῖ μʼ ὑπὲρ τῶνδʼ, εἴπερ οἵδʼ ὑπὲρ πατρός,

θνῄσκειν ἀμύνοντʼ· ἢ τί φήσομεν καλὸν

ὕδρᾳ μὲν ἐλθεῖν ἐς μάχην λέοντί τε

Εὐρυσθέως πομπαῖσι, τῶν δʼ ἐμῶν τέκνων
580

οὐκ ἐκπονήσω θάνατον; οὐκ ἄρʼ Ἡρακλῆς

ὁ καλλίνικος ὡς πάροιθε λέξομαι.

Χορός

δίκαια τοὺς τεκόντας ὠφελεῖν τέκνα,

πατέρα τε πρέσβυν τήν τε κοινωνὸν γάμων.

Ἀμφιτρύων

πρὸς σοῦ μέν, ὦ παῖ, τοῖς φίλοις τʼ εἶναι φίλον
585

τά τʼ ἐχθρὰ μισεῖν· ἀλλὰ μὴ ʼπείγου λίαν.

Ἡρακλῆς

τί δʼ ἐστὶ τῶνδε θᾶσσον ἢ χρεών, πάτερ;

Ἀμφιτρύων

πολλοὺς πένητας, ὀλβίους δὲ τῷ λόγῳ

δοκοῦντας εἶναι συμμάχους ἄναξ ἔχει,

οἳ στάσιν ἔθηκαν καὶ διώλεσαν πόλιν
590

ἐφʼ ἁρπαγαῖσι τῶν πέλας, τὰ δʼ ἐν δόμοις

δαπάναισι φροῦδα διαφυγόνθʼ ὑπʼ ἀργίας.

ὤφθης ἐσελθὼν πόλιν· ἐπεὶ δʼ ὤφθης, ὅρα

ἐχθροὺς ἀθροίσας μὴ παρὰ γνώμην πέσῃς.

Ἡρακλῆς

μέλει μὲν οὐδὲν εἴ με πᾶσʼ εἶδεν πόλις·
595

ὄρνιν δʼ ἰδών τινʼ οὐκ ἐν αἰσίοις ἕδραις,

ἔγνων πόνον τινʼ ἐς δόμους πεπτωκότα·

ὥστʼ ἐκ προνοίας κρύφιος εἰσῆλθον χθόνα.

Ἀμφιτρύων

καλῶς· παρελθὼν νῦν πρόσειπέ θʼ ἑστίαν

καὶ δὸς πατρῴοις δώμασιν σὸν ὄμμʼ ἰδεῖν.
600

ἥξει γὰρ αὐτὸς σὴν δάμαρτα καὶ τέκνα

ἕλξων φονεύσων κἄμʼ ἐπισφάξων ἄναξ·

μένοντι δʼ αὐτοῦ πάντα σοι γενήσεται

τῇ τʼ ἀσφαλείᾳ κερδανεῖς· πόλιν δὲ σὴν

μὴ πρὶν ταράξῃς πρὶν τόδʼ εὖ θέσθαι, τέκνον.
605

Ἡρακλῆς

δράσω τάδʼ· εὖ γὰρ εἶπας· εἶμʼ ἔσω δόμων.

χρόνῳ δʼ ἀνελθὼν ἐξ ἀνηλίων μυχῶν

Ἅιδου Κόρης τʼ ἔνερθεν, οὐκ ἀτιμάσω

θεοὺς προσειπεῖν πρῶτα τοὺς κατὰ στέγας.

Ἀμφιτρύων

ἦλθες γὰρ ὄντως δώματʼ εἰς Ἅιδου, τέκνον;
610

Ἡρακλῆς

καὶ θῆρά γʼ ἐς φῶς τὸν τρίκρανον ἤγαγον.

Ἀμφιτρύων

μάχῃ κρατήσας ἢ θεᾶς δωρήμασιν;

Ἡρακλῆς

μάχῃ· τὰ μυστῶν δʼ ὄργιʼ εὐτύχησʼ ἰδών.

Ἀμφιτρύων

ἦ καὶ κατʼ οἴκους ἐστὶν Εὐρυσθέως ὁ θήρ;

Ἡρακλῆς

Χθονίας νιν ἄλσος Ἑρμιών τʼ ἔχει πόλις.
615

Ἀμφιτρύων

οὐδʼ οἶδεν Εὐρυσθεύς σε γῆς ἥκοντʼ ἄνω;

Ἡρακλῆς

οὐκ οἶδʼ· ἵνʼ ἐλθὼν τἀνθάδʼ εἰδείην πάρος.

Ἀμφιτρύων

χρόνον δὲ πῶς τοσοῦτον ἦσθʼ ὑπὸ χθονί;

Ἡρακλῆς

Θησέα κομίζων ἐχρόνισʼ ἐξ Ἅιδου, πάτερ.

Ἀμφιτρύων

καὶ ποῦ ʼστιν; ἢ γῆς πατρίδος οἴχεται πέδον;
620

Ἡρακλῆς

βέβηκʼ Ἀθήνας νέρθεν ἄσμενος φυγών.

ἀλλʼ εἶʼ, ὁμαρτεῖτʼ, ὦ τέκνʼ, ἐς δόμους πατρί·

καλλίονές τἄρʼ εἴσοδοι τῶν ἐξόδων

πάρεισιν ὑμῖν. ἀλλὰ θάρσος ἴσχετε

καὶ νάματʼ ὄσσων μηκέτʼ ἐξανίετε·
625

σύ τʼ, ὦ γύναι μοι, σύλλογον ψυχῆς λαβὲ

τρόμου τε παῦσαι, καὶ μέθεσθʼ ἐμῶν πέπλων·

οὐ γὰρ πτερωτὸς οὐδὲ φευξείω φίλους.

ἆ,

οἵδʼ οὐκ ἀφιᾶσʼ, ἀλλʼ ἀνάπτονται πέπλων

τοσῷδε μᾶλλον· ὧδʼ ἔβητʼ ἐπὶ ξυροῦ;
630

ἄξω λαβών γε τούσδʼ ἐφολκίδας χεροῖν,

ναῦς δʼ ὣς ἐφέλξω· καὶ γὰρ οὐκ ἀναίνομαι

θεράπευμα τέκνων. πάντα τἀνθρώπων ἴσα·

φιλοῦσι παῖδας οἵ τʼ ἀμείνονες βροτῶν

οἵ τʼ οὐδὲν ὄντες· χρήμασιν δὲ διάφοροι·
635

ἔχουσιν, οἳ δʼ οὔ· πᾶν δὲ φιλότεκνον γένος.

Heracles. Euripides. ed. Gilbert Murray. Oxford. 1913.

Sponsored by Perseus Project, Tufts University.

Funding provided by The Annenberg CPB/Project.

Current edition Perseus

Ἡρακλῆς (Greek) (Euripides. Euripidis Fabulae, Vol. II. Murray, Gilbert, editor. Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1913. (Reprinted 1921-1962))

Translations (3)

Heracles Mad Perseus (Euripides. The Plays of Euripides, Vol. II. Coleridge, Edward P., translator. London: George Bell and Sons, 1891. (Modernized by Perseus.)) — 442-635 focus

Chorus Leader

But look! I see the children of Heracles who was once so great, wearing the clothes of the dead,

and his loving wife dragging her babes along at her side, and Heracles’ aged father. Ah! woe is me! no longer can I stem the flood of tears
445

that spring to my old eyes.
450

Megara

Come now, who is to sacrifice or butcher these poor children? or rob me of my wretched life? These victims are ready to be led to Hades’ halls. O my children! an ill-matched company are we hurried off to die,

old men and young ones and mothers, all together. Alas! for my sad fate and my children’s, whom these eyes now for the last time behold. So I gave you birth and reared you only for our foes to mock, to jeer at, and slay.
455

Ah me! how bitterly my hopes have disappointed me in the expectation I once formed from the words of your father. Addressing each of her three sons in turn. To you your dead father was for giving Argos ; and you were to dwell in the halls of Eurystheus, lording it over the fair fruitful land of Argolis ;
460

and over your head would he throw that lion’s skin with which he himself was armed. And you were to be king of Thebes , famed for its chariots, receiving as your heritage my broad lands, for so you coaxed your dear father;
465

and to your hand he used to resign the carved club, his sure defence, pretending to give it to you. And to you he promised to give Oechalia , which once his archery had wasted. Thus with three principalities
470

would your father exalt you, his three sons, proud of your manliness; while I was choosing the best brides for you, scheming to link you by marriage to Athens , Thebes , and Sparta , that you might live a happy life with a fast sheet-anchor to hold by.
475

And now that is all vanished; fortune’s breeze has veered and given to you for brides the maidens of death in their stead, and my tears will be the marriage bath; woe is me for my foolish thoughts! and your grandfather here is celebrating your marriage-feast, the cares of a father, accepting Hades as the father of your brides.
480

Ah me! which of you shall I first press to my bosom, which last? on which bestow my kiss, or clasp close to me? Oh! would that like the bee with russet wing, I could collect from every source my sighs in one, and, blending them together, shed them in one copious flood!
485

O my dearest Heracles, to you I call, if perhaps mortal voice can make itself heard in Hades’ halls; your father and children are dying, and I am doomed, I who once because of you was counted blessed as men count bliss. Come to our rescue; appear, I pray, if only as a phantom,
490

since your arrival, even as a dream, would be enough, for they are cowards who are slaying your children.
495

Amphitryon

Lady, prepare the funeral rites; but I, O Zeus, stretching out my hand to heaven, call on you to help these children,

if such is your intention; for soon any aid of yours will be unavailing; and yet you have been often invoked; my toil is in vain; death seems inevitable. You aged friends, the joys of life are few; so take heed that you pass through it as gladly as you may,
500

without a thought of sorrow from morning until night; for time takes little heed of preserving our hopes; and, when he has busied himself on his own business, away he flies. Look at me, a man who had made a mark among his fellows by deeds of note; yet fortune in a single day
505

has robbed me of it as of a feather that floats away toward the sky. I know not any whose plenteous wealth and high reputation is fixed and sure; fare you well, for now you have seen the last of your old friend, my comrades.
510

Megara

Ah! Old friend, is it my own, my dearest I see? or what am I to say?

Amphitryon

I do not know, my daughter; I too am struck dumb.
515

Megara

Is this he who they told us was beneath the earth?It is, unless some day-dream mocks our sight. What am I saying? What visions do these anxious eyes behold? Old man, this is no one other than your own son.

Come here, my children, cling to your father’s robe, hurry, never loose your hold, for here is one to help you, not at all behind our savior Zeus.
520

Heracles

All hail! my house and gates of my home, how glad I am to emerge to the light and see you.

Ah! what is this? I see my children before the house in the robes of death, with chaplets on their heads and my wife amid a throng of men, and my father weeping—what misfortune? Let me draw near to them and inquire;
525

lady, what strange stroke of fate has fallen on the house?
530

Megara

Dearest of all mankind to me!

Amphitryon

O ray of light appearing to your father!

Megara

Are you safe and is your coming just in time to help your dear ones?

Heracles

What do you mean? What is this confusion I find on my arrival, father?

Megara

We are being ruined; forgive me, old friend,

if I have anticipated that to which you had a right to tell him; for women’s nature is perhaps more prone to grief than men’s and they are my children that were being led to death, which was my own lot too.
535

Heracles

Apollo! what a prelude to your story!

Megara

My brothers are dead, and my old father.

Heracles

How so? what did he do? whose spear did he meet?
540

Megara

Lycus, our new monarch, slew him.

Heracles

Did he meet him in fair fight, or was the land sick and weak?

Megara

Yes, from faction; now he is master of the city of Cadmus with its seven gates.

Heracles

Why has panic fallen on you and my aged father?

Megara

He meant to kill your father, me, and my children.
545

Heracles

What are you saying? What did he have to fear from my orphan babes?

Megara

He was afraid they might some day avenge Creon’s death.

Heracles

What is this dress they wear, suited to the dead?

Megara

It is the garb of death we have already put on.

Heracles

And were you being forced to die? O woe is me!
550

Megara

Yes, deserted by every friend, and informed that you were dead.

Heracles

What put such desperate thoughts into your heads?

Megara

That was what the heralds of Eurystheus kept proclaiming.

Heracles

Why did you leave my hearth and home?

Megara

He forced us; your father was dragged from his bed.
555

Heracles

Had he no shame, to ill-use the old man so?

Megara

Shame indeed! that goddess and he dwell far enough apart.

Heracles

Was I so poor in friends in my absence?

Megara

Who are the friends of a man in misfortune?

Heracles

Do they make so light of my hard warring with the Minyans?
560

Megara

Misfortune, to repeat it to you, has no friends.

Heracles

Cast from your heads these chaplets of death, look up to the light, for instead of the darkness below your eyes behold the welcome sun.

I, meanwhile, since here is work for my hand, will first go raze this upstart tyrant’s halls, and when I have beheaded the villain, I will throw him to dogs to tear; and every Theban who I find has played the traitor after my kindness,
565

will I destroy with this victorious club; the rest will I tear apart with my feathered shafts and fill Ismenus full of bloody corpses, and Dirce’s clear stream shall run red with gore. For whom ought I to help rather than wife
570

and children and aged father? Farewell my labors! for it was in vain I accomplished them rather than helping these. And yet I ought to die in their defence, since they for their father were doomed; or what shall we find so noble in having fought a hydra and a lion
575

at the commands of Eurystheus, if I make no effort to save my own children from death? No longer then, as before, shall I be called Heracles the victor.
580

Chorus Leader

It is only right that parents should help their children, their aged fathers, and the partners of their marriage.

Amphitryon

My son, it is like you to show your love for your dear ones and your hate for your enemies; only curb excessive hastiness.
585

Heracles

How, father, am I now showing more than fitting haste?

Amphitryon

The king has a host of allies, needy villains though pretending to be rich,

who sowed dissension and overthrew the state with a view to plundering their neighbors; for the wealth they had in their houses was all spent, dissipated by their sloth. You were seen entering the city; and, that being so, beware that you do not bring your enemies together and be slain unawares.
590

Heracles

Little I care if the whole city saw me; but happening to see a bird perched in an unlucky position, from it I learned that some trouble had befallen my house; so on purpose I made my entry to the land by stealth.
595

Amphitryon

Well done; now, on your arrival, go salute your household altar,

and let your father’s halls behold your face. For soon the king will be here in person to drag away your wife and children and murder them, and to add me to the bloody list. But if you remain on the spot all will go well, and you will profit by this security; but do not rouse
600

your city before you have these matters well in train, my son.
605

Heracles

I will do so; your advice is good; I will enter my house. After my return at length from the sunless den of Hades and the maiden queen of hell, I will not neglect to greet first of all the gods beneath my roof.

Amphitryon

Did you really go to the house of Hades, my son?
610

Heracles

Yes, and brought to the light that three-headed monster.

Amphitryon

Did you conquer him in fight, or receive him from the goddess?

Heracles

In fight; for I had been lucky enough to witness the rites of the initiated.

Amphitryon

Is the monster really lodged in the house of Eurystheus?

Heracles

The grove of Demeter and the city of Hermione have him now.
615

Amphitryon

Eurystheus does not know that you have returned to the upper world?

Heracles

He does not; I came here first to learn your news.

Amphitryon

How is it you were so long beneath the earth?

Heracles

I stayed awhile attempting to bring back Theseus from Hades, father.

Amphitryon

Where is he? gone to his native land?
620

Heracles

He set out for Athens , glad to have escaped from the lower world. Come now, children, attend your father to the house. My entering in is fairer in your eyes, I think, than my going out. Oh, take heart,

and no more let the tears stream from your eyes; you too, my wife, collect your courage, cease from fear; leave go my robe; for I cannot fly away, nor have I any wish to flee from those I love. Ah! they do not loose their hold, but cling to my garments
625

all the more; were you on the razor’s edge of danger? Well, I must lead them, taking them by the hand to draw them after me, my little boats, like a ship when towing; for I too do not reject the care of my children; here all mankind are equal; all love their children, both those of high estate
630

and those who are nothing; it is wealth that makes distinctions among them; some have, others want; but all the human race loves its offspring.
635
Exeunt Heracles and Megara, with their children.

Hercules (OCR draft) Experimental (Hercules. Robert Potter's English verse translation, first published in 1781–1783; text from the 1808 Oxford printing.)

No corresponding passage available

German (J. J. C. Donner, 1852; OCR review) (OCR draft) Experimental (Euripides. Deutsch in den Versmaßen der Urschrift. Volume 3, Heidelberg: C. F. Winter, 1852. Harvard OCR compared with an independent BSB copy. Native Donner verse citations, Murray reference cards, explicitly located notes and page facsimiles. Unresolved OCR, verse divisions, unlocated notes and printed errata are documented in the source review.) — 442 focus

Doch ich sehe ja dort, in der Todten Gewand,

Sich nahen Herakles' Kinder, des Manns,

Der ehe so groß war; auch sein Weib,
435

Das die Söhne wie Ross' an der Seite des Jochs

Hinschleppt, und Alkmena's greisen Gemahl.

Ich Verlorener, weh!

Ich kann nicht mehr des erloschenen Blicks

Vorbrechenden Thränen gebieten.
440
Megara und Amphitryon kommen mit den Kindern aus dem Hause

Wohlan!

zurück. Der Chor.

Megara.

Wer ist der Priester, der die Kinder schlachtet? Wer

Der Würger, der mein armes Leben morden soll?

Bereitet sind die Opfer, in den Tod zu gehn.

O Kinder, welch ein Trauerzug von Todten wir,

Greis, Knaben, Mutter allzumal dahingeschleppt!
445

O mein Verhängniß, meiner Söhn' unselig Loos,

Die (weh!) zum leztenmale nun mein Auge sieht!

Euch gab ich Leben, und dem Feind erzog ich euch,

Zum Hohn, zum Spielwerk und geweiht dem Untergang.

Weh!

Wohl stürzt' ich tief vom schöngeträumten Gluck hinab,
450

Das eures Vaters Rede mich einst hoffen ließ.

Dir theilte, Sohn, der todte Vater Argos zu,

Das Haus Eurysthens solltest du bewohnen einst,

Im schönen Fruchtland herrschend, in Pelasgia.

Des grimmen Thieres Hülle legt' er dir um's Haupt,
455

Des Leu'n, womit gewaffnet er den Kampf bestand.

Du solltest Herr im wagenreichen Thebe sein,

Das Land besizen, welches ich als Erb' empfing,

Wie du von meinem Vater dir's erbatst, o Kind.¹

In deine Rechte, Feindestroz zu wehren, gab
460

Er seine Keule, Dådalos' trugvoll Geschenk.²

Und dir verhieß er als Besiz Dechalia,

Das sein Geschoß ferntreffend einst eroberte.

So hob er euch drei Söhne hoch empor zu drei

Gewaltigen Thronen, seines Muths sich stolz bewußt.
465

Ich hatte froh im Geiste schon zu Brauten euch

Die besten Jungfrau'n im Athenerland ersehn,

Im Spartervolk, in Thebe, daß ihr glucklich wårt,

Un sichern Lauen euer Schiff befestigend.

Und nun - dahin ist Alles; umgewandelt ist
470

Das Schicksal, das die Keren euch zu Brauten gibt;

Mich Arme låßt es Thränen, statt des Bades weih'n!

Und hier des Vaters Vater gibt das Ehrenmahl

Dem Schattengotte, der Herakles' Schwåher ward!

Ach! Wen von euch am ersten oder wen zulezt
475

Druck' ich an diesen Busen? Wen küßt dieser Mund?

Wen, wen umarm' ich? Wie, der gelben Biene gleich,

Samml' ich die Klagen aller auf in Einen Laut,

Vereine sie in Einem langen Thränenstrom?

D Theurer, wenn man eine Stimm' aus Menschenbrust
480

Vernimmt im Hades, ruf' ich dir, Herakles, zu:

„Dein Vater stirbt, es sterben deine Söhn' und ich,

Die deinetwegen alle Welt einst glucklich pries.

Komm, rette! Wenn auch Schatte nur, erscheine mir!

Auch nur erscheinend wirst du mir ein starker Schuz:
485

Denn gegen dich sind deiner Söhne Mörder feig!"

Amphitryon.

Bereite du, Frau, was den Todesgittern ziemt:³

Ich aber hebe meine Hand zum Himmel auf,

Und rufe dir, Zeus, willst du diese Kinder hier

Beschůzen, eile, weil du bald nicht mehr vermagst!
490

Doch oft ja rief ich schon zu dir: ich rief umsonst;

Ein strenges Schicksal, wie mir scheint, will unsern Tod.

Auf denn, o Greise! Flüchtig eilt das Leben hin;

Drum weihet froh der Erde kurzen Traum der Lust,

Von Tagesaufgang bis zur Nacht von Kummer frei!
495

Auf unsre Wunsche nimmt die Zeit niemals Bedacht:

Sie fliegt von hinnen, um das Ihre nur besorgt.

Seht mich: vor Zeiten galt ich groß vor aller Welt,

Und wirkte ruhmvoll; wie den Vogel himmelan,

Entriß das Schicksal Alles mir an Einem Tag.
500

Des Glückes Fülle, hoher Ruhm, wem wåren sie

Je treu geblieben? Lebet wohl: denn euren Freund,

Genossen, heute saht ihr ihn zum letztenmal!

Ha!

(Herakles tritt auf.)

Megara.

Erblick ich meinen Liebsten hier? Was sag' ich, Greis?

Amphitryon.

Mein Kind, ich weiß nicht; denn auch mir versagt das Wort.
505

Megara.

Er ist's, von dem wir hörten, daß er drunten sei,

Wenn nicht ein Traumbild uns erscheint im Sonnenlicht!

Was sag' ich? Welche Traume sieht mein wirrer Geist?

Das ist, - es ist kein Andrer, als dein Sohn, o Greis!

Hierher, o Kinder! Hånget euch an sein Gewand!
510

Kommt, eilet, laßt ihn nimmer los! Denn, traun, er ist

Euch kein geringrer Helfer, als der Retter Zeus!

Herakles.

D Dach, o Hallen meines Herdes, seid gegrüßt!

Welch froher Anblick, nun ich kam zum Sonnenlicht!

Ha!

Was gibt es? Meine Kinder seh' ich am Palast,
515

In Todtenschleier tragen sie das Haupt gehüllt;

Und im Gewühl von Männern seh' ich mein Gemahl

Und meinen Vater, der ein Ungemach beweint.

Wohlan, ich trete nåher hin und frage sie.

Sprecht, welches neue Mißgeschick traf dieses Haus?⁴
520

Amphitryon.

O liebster Mann, o Licht in deines Vaters Nacht!

Du bist gerettet, kommst für uns zu rechter Zeit.

Herakles.

Was meinst du? Vater, welchen Aufruhr treff' ich hier?

Megara.

Wir sind verloren! Du vergib, Greis, wenn ich dir

Das Wort vorausnahm, welches dir an ihn geziemt.
525

Wir Frauen sind ja weicher als der Mann gestimmt,

Und meinen Kindern drohte Tod, ich war dahin.

Herakles.

Apollon! Wie beginnst du deine Reden mir!

Megara.

Todt sind die Brüder und mein alter Vater todt.

Herakles.

Wie? Was begann er? Welcher Speer hat ihn entseelt?
530

Megara.

Lykos, des Landes neuer Fürst, ermordet' ihn.

Herakles.

In offner Feldschlacht? Oder tobt' Aufruhr im Land?

Megara.

Ausruhr erschloß ihm Kadmos' siebenthorig Reich.

Herakles.

Doch, Frau, warum denn faßte Furcht den Greis und dich?

Megara.

Dem Vater, mir und unsern Sohnen droht er Tod.
535

Herakles.

Was sagst du? Wie? Verwaiste Kinder fürchtet er? -⁵

Megara.

Sie möchten Nache nehmen einst um Kreons Tod.

Herakles.

Doch was bedeutet dieser Schmuck, der Todten ziemt?

Megara.

Die Todeskleider sind es, die wir angelegt.

Herakles.

Ihr sollt gewaltsam sterben? Ich Unseliger!
540

Megara.

Kein Freund beschůzt uns, und man sagte dich für todt.

Herakles.

Wie kam es denn, daß solcher Kleinmuth euch befiel?

Megara.

Mykene's Herrscher that es uns durch Boten kund.

Herakles.

Warum verließt ihr dieses Haus und meinen Herd?⁶

Megara.

Gewalt vertrieb den Vater aus der Lagerstatt -
545

Herakles.

Durch Schmach den Greis zu krånken, trug er keine Scheu?

Megara.

Von dieser Göttin, der Gewalt, wohnt fern die Scheu.

Herakles.

So hatten wir, von Hause ferne, keinen Freund?

Megara.

Wo håtte denn auch Freunde, wen das Gluck verließ?

Herakles.

Der Minyerschlachten, die ich schlug, vergaßen sie?⁷
550

Megara.

Freundlos, ich wiederhol' es, ist das Misgeschick.

Herakles.

O reißt die Todesschleier flugs vom Haupt herab,

Und hebt das Auge wiederum empor zum Licht,

Das freundlich wechselnd leuchtet nach der Todesnacht!

Ich aber eile (nun bedarf es meines Arms)
555

Vorerst von hinnen, sturz' in Staub die Wohnungen

Des neuen Herrschers, werse dann den Hunden vor

Des Frevlers abgehau'nes Haupt; und wen ich schlecht

Vom Thebervolk erfunden, dem ich Gutes that,

Mit dieser sieggekrönten Wehr vertilg' ich ihn.
560

Mit rasch beschwingten Pfeilen todt' ich Andere,

Und füll' Ismenos' Fluten rings mit Leichen an,

Und Dirke's klare Welle fårbt sich blutigroth!

Wem soll ich eher Retter sein, als meinem Weib,

Dem Greis, den Kindern? Fahret wohl, ihr Kampfesmuh'n!
565

Unnůz ja wart ihr alle mehr, als dieser Kampf!

Ich muß für meine Söhne, sowie sie für mich,⁸

Im Kampfe sterben; oder wie beschönt' ich es,

Daß ich mit Leu'n und Hydern mich im Kampfe maß,

In den Eurystheus mich gesandt, und nicht den Tod
570

Von meinen Kindern wehrte? Nicht mehr Herakles,⁹

Der sieggekrönte, hieß ich dann, wie früherhin.

Der Chor.

Wohl ist es billig, daß sein Kind der Vater schirmt,

Der Sohn die grauen Weltern, sein Gemahl der Mann.

Amphitryon.

Dir steht es zu, den Freunden Freund zu sein, o Sohn,
575

Den Feind zu hassen; aber eile nicht zu sehr.

Herakles.

Worin, o Vater, eil' ich mehr als billig hier?

Amphitryon.

Gar Viele, arm an Gütern, die dem Ruse nach

Für Reiche gelten, sind dem Lykos zugethan,

Bereiten Aufruhr und der Stadt den Untergang,
580

Um Andrer Gut zu rauben; denn ihr Gut daheim

Verschlang der Aufwand und zerstob der Mußiggang.

Du wardst gesehen, als du kamst in diese Stadt;¹⁰

Drum sei behutsam, daß du nicht der Feinde Schwarm

Aufregst, und wider Hoffen dich Verderben trifft.
585

Herakles.

Mir gilt es gleichviel, ob die ganze Stadt mich sah.

Doch einen Vogel schaut' ich jungst am schlimmen Ort,

Und schloß, ein Unglück habe wohl euch heimgesucht;

So kam ich denn vorsichtig ingeheim in's Land.

Amphitryon.

Zum Glück erschienst du; nun begrüße deinen Herd,
590

Und laß das våterliche Haus dein Auge schaun.

Bald kommt er selbst, der König, der dir Sohn' und Weib

Fortschleppen, morden, und zugleich mich schlachten will.

Indeß du dort weilst, fugt sich Alles wohl für dich,

Und Sicherheit gewinnst du; doch verseze nicht
595

Die Stadt in Aufruhr, eh du dieses wohl vollbracht.

Herakles.

So thu' ich; denn du sprachest recht: ich geh' hinein.

Spåt heimgekehrt aus sonnenloser Gründe Nacht,

Von Hades' Reich und Kore's, will ich allererst

Die Götter grüßen, die des Hauses Hüter sind.
600

Amphitryon.

So kamst du wirklich in des Hades Haus, o Kind?

Herakles.

Und führte sein dreiköpfig Ungethum an's Licht.

Amphitryon.

Im Kampf es zwingend, oder als Kora's Geschenk?

Herakles.

Im Kampf: die heil'gen Weihen sah ich Glucklicher.¹¹

Amphitryon.

Und ist im Königshause schon das Ungethum?
605

Herakles.

Der Hain Demeters nahm es auf in Hermion.¹²

Amphitryon.

Weiß Argos' König, daß du kamst an's Licht herauf?¹³

Herakles.

Nein; eher wollt' ich wissen, wie's euch hier ergeht.

Amphitryon.

Doch was verzogst du solche Zeit in Hades' Haus?

Herakles.

Theseus zurückzuführen, såumt' ich, Vater, dort.
610

Amphitryon.

Und wo verweilt er? Ging er heim in's Vaterreich ?

Herakles.

Nach Atthis, freudig, daß er Hades' Land entflohn.

Doch auf, o Kinder! Folgt dem Vater nach in's Haus. -

Ihr geht zu großrer Freude, traun, hinein, als ihr

Herausgegangen. Also seid getrostes Muths,
615

Und badet euer Auge nicht in Thränen mehr!

Du, theure Gattin, sammle dich und fasse Muth,

Hör' auf zu zagen! Lasset ab von meinem Kleid:

Denn Flügel hab' ich keine, will euch nicht entfliehn!

Ha!

Sie weichen nicht, nein, klammern um so fester sich
620

An mein Gewand. So nahe war euch die Gefahr?

Ich will sie führen, will sie mir, gleichwie das Schiff

Die Boote, nachziehn; denn um meine Kinder mag

Ich gern mich müh'n! Hier sind sich alle Menschen gleich.

Denn seine Kinder liebt der Hochgeborne, liebt
625

Der Namenlose. Dieser lebt in Fülle, der

Ist arm; doch Kindesliebe wohnt in jeder Brust.

(Sie gehen mit den Kindern in das Haus.) Erste Strophe.

Der Chor.

Jugend erfreut, fesselt mich süß; aber das Alter lastet

Ueber dem Haupt drückender stets als die Felsen Aetna's,

Und in Dunkel hült es mir das Licht der Augen.
630

Niemals werde mir Asia's

Thron, Asia's Schaze mir eigen,

Noch sei voll Goldes die Wohnung,

Ist hiefür Jugend der Preis,

Dies herrlichste Gut für den Reichthum,
635

Dies herrlichste Gut in der Noth!

Doch das traurige, tödtende

Alter hass' ich: hinab in's Meer

Stürz' es! Nie zu der Sterblichen

Häusern, noch zu den Städten nah'n
640

Sollt' es, sondern in Aethershohn

Stets auf Schwingen dahinfliehn!

Erste Gegenstrophe.

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Μεγάρα ἔα· ὦ πρέσβυ, λεύσσω τἀμὰ φίλτατʼ· ἢ τί φῶ;

Ἀμφιτρύων οὐκ οἶδα, θύγατερ· ἀφασία δὲ κἄμʼ ἔχει. 515

Μεγάρα ὦ φίλτατʼ ἀνδρῶν

Ἀμφιτρύων ὦ φάος μολὼν πατρί

Μεγάρα ἥκεις, ἐσώθης εἰς ἀκμὴν ἐλθὼν φίλοις;

Ἡρακλῆς τί φῄς; τίνʼ ἐς ταραγμὸν ἥκομεν, πάτερ;

Ἡρακλῆς Ἄπολλον, οἵοις φροιμίοις ἄρχῃ λόγου.

Μεγάρα τεθνᾶσʼ ἀδελφοὶ καὶ πατὴρ οὑμὸς γέρων.

Ἡρακλῆς πῶς φῄς; τί δράσας ἢ δορὸς ποίου τυχών; 540

Μεγάρα Λύκος σφʼ ὁ καινὸς γῆς ἄναξ διώλεσεν.

Ἡρακλῆς ὅπλοις ἀπαντῶν ἢ νοσησάσης χθονός;

Μεγάρα στάσει· τὸ Κάδμου δʼ ἑπτάπυλον ἔχει κράτος.

Ἡρακλῆς τί δῆτα πρὸς σὲ καὶ γέροντʼ ἦλθεν φόβος;

Μεγάρα κτείνειν ἔμελλε πατέρα κἀμὲ καὶ τέκνα. 545

Ἡρακλῆς τί φῄς; τί ταρβῶν ὀρφάνευμʼ ἐμῶν τέκνων;

Μεγάρα μή ποτε Κρέοντος θάνατον ἐκτεισαίατο.

Ἡρακλῆς κόσμος δὲ παίδων τίς ὅδε νερτέροις πρέπων;

Μεγάρα θανάτου τάδʼ ἤδη περιβόλαιʼ ἀνήμμεθα.

Ἡρακλῆς καὶ πρὸς βίαν ἐθνῄσκετʼ; ὦ τλήμων ἐγώ. 550

Μεγάρα φίλων γʼ ἔρημοι· σὲ δὲ θανόντʼ ἠκούομεν.

Ἡρακλῆς πόθεν δʼ ἐς ὑμᾶς ἥδʼ ἐσῆλθʼ ἀθυμία;

Μεγάρα Εὐρυσθέως κήρυκες ἤγγελλον τάδε.

Ἡρακλῆς τί δʼ ἐξελείπετʼ οἶκον ἑστίαν τʼ ἐμήν;

Μεγάρα βίᾳ, πατὴρ μὲν ἐκπεσὼν στρωτοῦ λέχους 555

Ἡρακλῆς κοὐκ ἔσχεν αἰδῶ τὸν γέροντʼ ἀτιμάσαι;

Μεγάρα αἰδώς γʼ ἀποικεῖ τῆσδε τῆς θεοῦ πρόσω.

Ἡρακλῆς οὕτω δʼ ἀπόντες ἐσπανίζομεν φίλων;

Μεγάρα φίλοι γάρ εἰσιν ἀνδρὶ δυστυχεῖ τίνες;

Ἡρακλῆς μάχας δὲ Μινυῶν ἃς ἔτλην ἀπέπτυσαν; 560

Μεγάρα ἄφιλον, ἵνʼ αὖθίς σοι λέγω, τὸ δυστυχές.

Χορός δίκαια τοὺς τεκόντας ὠφελεῖν τέκνα, πατέρα τε πρέσβυν τήν τε κοινωνὸν γάμων.

Ἀμφιτρύων πρὸς σοῦ μέν, ὦ παῖ, τοῖς φίλοις τʼ εἶναι φίλον 585 τά τʼ ἐχθρὰ μισεῖν· ἀλλὰ μὴ ʼπείγου λίαν.

Ἡρακλῆς τί δʼ ἐστὶ τῶνδε θᾶσσον ἢ χρεών, πάτερ;

Ἀμφιτρύων ἦλθες γὰρ ὄντως δώματʼ εἰς Ἅιδου, τέκνον; 610

Ἡρακλῆς καὶ θῆρά γʼ ἐς φῶς τὸν τρίκρανον ἤγαγον.

Ἀμφιτρύων μάχῃ κρατήσας ἢ θεᾶς δωρήμασιν;

Ἡρακλῆς μάχῃ· τὰ μυστῶν δʼ ὄργιʼ εὐτύχησʼ ἰδών.

Ἀμφιτρύων ἦ καὶ κατʼ οἴκους ἐστὶν Εὐρυσθέως ὁ θήρ;

Ἡρακλῆς Χθονίας νιν ἄλσος Ἑρμιών τʼ ἔχει πόλις. 615

Ἀμφιτρύων οὐδʼ οἶδεν Εὐρυσθεύς σε γῆς ἥκοντʼ ἄνω;

Ἡρακλῆς οὐκ οἶδʼ· ἵνʼ ἐλθὼν τἀνθάδʼ εἰδείην πάρος.

Ἀμφιτρύων χρόνον δὲ πῶς τοσοῦτον ἦσθʼ ὑπὸ χθονί;

Ἡρακλῆς Θησέα κομίζων ἐχρόνισʼ ἐξ Ἅιδου, πάτερ.

Ἀμφιτρύων καὶ ποῦ ʼστιν; ἢ γῆς πατρίδος οἴχεται πέδον; 620

Current edition Perseus

Chorus Leader But look! I see the children of Heracles who was once so great, wearing the clothes of the dead, and his loving wife dragging her babes along at her side, and Heracles’ aged father. Ah! woe is me! no longer can I stem the flood of tears 445 that spring to my old eyes. 450

Megara Ah! Old friend, is it my own, my dearest I see? or what am I to say?

Amphitryon I do not know, my daughter; I too am struck dumb. 515

Megara Dearest of all mankind to me!

Amphitryon O ray of light appearing to your father!

Megara Are you safe and is your coming just in time to help your dear ones?

Heracles What do you mean? What is this confusion I find on my arrival, father?

Megara We are being ruined; forgive me, old friend, if I have anticipated that to which you had a right to tell him; for women’s nature is perhaps more prone to grief than men’s and they are my children that were being led to death, which was my own lot too. 535

Heracles Apollo! what a prelude to your story!

Megara My brothers are dead, and my old father.

Heracles How so? what did he do? whose spear did he meet? 540

Megara Lycus, our new monarch, slew him.

Heracles Did he meet him in fair fight, or was the land sick and weak?

Megara Yes, from faction; now he is master of the city of Cadmus with its seven gates.

Heracles Why has panic fallen on you and my aged father?

Megara He meant to kill your father, me, and my children. 545

Heracles What are you saying? What did he have to fear from my orphan babes?

Megara He was afraid they might some day avenge Creon’s death.

Heracles What is this dress they wear, suited to the dead?

Megara It is the garb of death we have already put on.

Heracles And were you being forced to die? O woe is me! 550

Megara Yes, deserted by every friend, and informed that you were dead.

Heracles What put such desperate thoughts into your heads?

Megara That was what the heralds of Eurystheus kept proclaiming.

Heracles Why did you leave my hearth and home?

Megara He forced us; your father was dragged from his bed. 555

Heracles Had he no shame, to ill-use the old man so?

Megara Shame indeed! that goddess and he dwell far enough apart.

Heracles Was I so poor in friends in my absence?

Megara Who are the friends of a man in misfortune?

Heracles Do they make so light of my hard warring with the Minyans? 560

Megara Misfortune, to repeat it to you, has no friends.

Chorus Leader It is only right that parents should help their children, their aged fathers, and the partners of their marriage.

Μεγάρα

ἔα·

ὦ πρέσβυ, λεύσσω τἀμὰ φίλτατʼ· ἢ τί φῶ;

Ἀμφιτρύων

οὐκ οἶδα, θύγατερ· ἀφασία δὲ κἄμʼ ἔχει.
515

Μεγάρα

ὦ φίλτατʼ ἀνδρῶν

Ἀμφιτρύων

ὦ φάος μολὼν πατρί

Μεγάρα

ἥκεις, ἐσώθης εἰς ἀκμὴν ἐλθὼν φίλοις;

Ἡρακλῆς

τί φῄς; τίνʼ ἐς ταραγμὸν ἥκομεν, πάτερ;

Ἡρακλῆς

Ἄπολλον, οἵοις φροιμίοις ἄρχῃ λόγου.

Μεγάρα

τεθνᾶσʼ ἀδελφοὶ καὶ πατὴρ οὑμὸς γέρων.

Ἡρακλῆς

πῶς φῄς; τί δράσας ἢ δορὸς ποίου τυχών;
540

Μεγάρα

Λύκος σφʼ ὁ καινὸς γῆς ἄναξ διώλεσεν.

Ἡρακλῆς

ὅπλοις ἀπαντῶν ἢ νοσησάσης χθονός;

Μεγάρα

στάσει· τὸ Κάδμου δʼ ἑπτάπυλον ἔχει κράτος.

Ἡρακλῆς

τί δῆτα πρὸς σὲ καὶ γέροντʼ ἦλθεν φόβος;

Μεγάρα

κτείνειν ἔμελλε πατέρα κἀμὲ καὶ τέκνα.
545

Ἡρακλῆς

τί φῄς; τί ταρβῶν ὀρφάνευμʼ ἐμῶν τέκνων;

Μεγάρα

μή ποτε Κρέοντος θάνατον ἐκτεισαίατο.

Ἡρακλῆς

κόσμος δὲ παίδων τίς ὅδε νερτέροις πρέπων;

Μεγάρα

θανάτου τάδʼ ἤδη περιβόλαιʼ ἀνήμμεθα.

Ἡρακλῆς

καὶ πρὸς βίαν ἐθνῄσκετʼ; ὦ τλήμων ἐγώ.
550

Μεγάρα

φίλων γʼ ἔρημοι· σὲ δὲ θανόντʼ ἠκούομεν.

Ἡρακλῆς

πόθεν δʼ ἐς ὑμᾶς ἥδʼ ἐσῆλθʼ ἀθυμία;

Μεγάρα

Εὐρυσθέως κήρυκες ἤγγελλον τάδε.

Ἡρακλῆς

τί δʼ ἐξελείπετʼ οἶκον ἑστίαν τʼ ἐμήν;

Μεγάρα

βίᾳ, πατὴρ μὲν ἐκπεσὼν στρωτοῦ λέχους
555

Ἡρακλῆς

κοὐκ ἔσχεν αἰδῶ τὸν γέροντʼ ἀτιμάσαι;

Μεγάρα

αἰδώς γʼ ἀποικεῖ τῆσδε τῆς θεοῦ πρόσω.

Ἡρακλῆς

οὕτω δʼ ἀπόντες ἐσπανίζομεν φίλων;

Μεγάρα

φίλοι γάρ εἰσιν ἀνδρὶ δυστυχεῖ τίνες;

Ἡρακλῆς

μάχας δὲ Μινυῶν ἃς ἔτλην ἀπέπτυσαν;
560

Μεγάρα

ἄφιλον, ἵνʼ αὖθίς σοι λέγω, τὸ δυστυχές.

Χορός

δίκαια τοὺς τεκόντας ὠφελεῖν τέκνα,

πατέρα τε πρέσβυν τήν τε κοινωνὸν γάμων.

Ἀμφιτρύων

πρὸς σοῦ μέν, ὦ παῖ, τοῖς φίλοις τʼ εἶναι φίλον
585

τά τʼ ἐχθρὰ μισεῖν· ἀλλὰ μὴ ʼπείγου λίαν.

Ἡρακλῆς

τί δʼ ἐστὶ τῶνδε θᾶσσον ἢ χρεών, πάτερ;

Ἀμφιτρύων

ἦλθες γὰρ ὄντως δώματʼ εἰς Ἅιδου, τέκνον;
610

Ἡρακλῆς

καὶ θῆρά γʼ ἐς φῶς τὸν τρίκρανον ἤγαγον.

Ἀμφιτρύων

μάχῃ κρατήσας ἢ θεᾶς δωρήμασιν;

Ἡρακλῆς

μάχῃ· τὰ μυστῶν δʼ ὄργιʼ εὐτύχησʼ ἰδών.

Ἀμφιτρύων

ἦ καὶ κατʼ οἴκους ἐστὶν Εὐρυσθέως ὁ θήρ;

Ἡρακλῆς

Χθονίας νιν ἄλσος Ἑρμιών τʼ ἔχει πόλις.
615

Ἀμφιτρύων

οὐδʼ οἶδεν Εὐρυσθεύς σε γῆς ἥκοντʼ ἄνω;

Ἡρακλῆς

οὐκ οἶδʼ· ἵνʼ ἐλθὼν τἀνθάδʼ εἰδείην πάρος.

Ἀμφιτρύων

χρόνον δὲ πῶς τοσοῦτον ἦσθʼ ὑπὸ χθονί;

Ἡρακλῆς

Θησέα κομίζων ἐχρόνισʼ ἐξ Ἅιδου, πάτερ.

Ἀμφιτρύων

καὶ ποῦ ʼστιν; ἢ γῆς πατρίδος οἴχεται πέδον;
620

Chorus Leader

But look! I see the children of Heracles who was once so great, wearing the clothes of the dead,

and his loving wife dragging her babes along at her side, and Heracles’ aged father. Ah! woe is me! no longer can I stem the flood of tears
445

that spring to my old eyes.
450

Megara

Ah! Old friend, is it my own, my dearest I see? or what am I to say?

Amphitryon

I do not know, my daughter; I too am struck dumb.
515

Megara

Dearest of all mankind to me!

Amphitryon

O ray of light appearing to your father!

Megara

Are you safe and is your coming just in time to help your dear ones?

Heracles

What do you mean? What is this confusion I find on my arrival, father?

Megara

We are being ruined; forgive me, old friend,

if I have anticipated that to which you had a right to tell him; for women’s nature is perhaps more prone to grief than men’s and they are my children that were being led to death, which was my own lot too.
535

Heracles

Apollo! what a prelude to your story!

Megara

My brothers are dead, and my old father.

Heracles

How so? what did he do? whose spear did he meet?
540

Megara

Lycus, our new monarch, slew him.

Heracles

Did he meet him in fair fight, or was the land sick and weak?

Megara

Yes, from faction; now he is master of the city of Cadmus with its seven gates.

Heracles

Why has panic fallen on you and my aged father?

Megara

He meant to kill your father, me, and my children.
545

Heracles

What are you saying? What did he have to fear from my orphan babes?

Megara

He was afraid they might some day avenge Creon’s death.

Heracles

What is this dress they wear, suited to the dead?

Megara

It is the garb of death we have already put on.

Heracles

And were you being forced to die? O woe is me!
550

Megara

Yes, deserted by every friend, and informed that you were dead.

Heracles

What put such desperate thoughts into your heads?

Megara

That was what the heralds of Eurystheus kept proclaiming.

Heracles

Why did you leave my hearth and home?

Megara

He forced us; your father was dragged from his bed.
555

Heracles

Had he no shame, to ill-use the old man so?

Megara

Shame indeed! that goddess and he dwell far enough apart.

Heracles

Was I so poor in friends in my absence?

Megara

Who are the friends of a man in misfortune?

Heracles

Do they make so light of my hard warring with the Minyans?
560

Megara

Misfortune, to repeat it to you, has no friends.

Chorus Leader

It is only right that parents should help their children, their aged fathers, and the partners of their marriage.

Amphitryon

My son, it is like you to show your love for your dear ones and your hate for your enemies; only curb excessive hastiness.
585

Heracles

How, father, am I now showing more than fitting haste?

Heracles

Little I care if the whole city saw me; but happening to see a bird perched in an unlucky position, from it I learned that some trouble had befallen my house; so on purpose I made my entry to the land by stealth.
595