Hercules
Scene IV.
1408
[descends and speaks]. Stay, son of Pean! Lo
Once more to see and hear thy loved Alcides,
Who for thy sake hath left yon heavenly mansions.
And comes to tell thee the decrees of Jove ;
To turn thee from the paths thou meanst to tread,
Ami guide thy footsteps right. Therefore attend.
Thou knowst what toils, what labours I endured,
Ere I by virtue gained immortal fame ;
Thou too like me by toils must lise to glory —
Thou too must suffer, ere thou canst be happy;
Hence with thy friend to Troy, where honour calls,
Where health awaits thee — where, by virtue raised
To highest rank, and leader of the war,
Paris, its hateful author, shalt thou slay,
1425
Lay waste proud Troy, and send thy trophies home,
Thy valour's due reward, to glad thy sire
On QCta's top. The gifts which Greece bestows
Must thou reserve to grace my funeral pile.
And be a monument to after-ages
1430
Of these all-conquering arms. Son of Achilles
Without his aid thou canst not conquer Troy,
Go then, and, like two lions in the field
Roaming for prey, guard ye each other well ;
1435
My ^sculapius will I send e'en now
To heal thy wounds. Then go, and conquer Troy ;
But when you lay the vanquished city waste,
Be careful that you venerate the gods ;
For far above all other gifts doth Jove,
1440
Th' almighty father, hold true piety ;
Whether we live or die, that still survives
Beyond the reach of fate, and is immortal.
