第1章

THETRACHINIAE bySophoclestransalatedbyR。C。JebbCHARACTERSINTHEPLAY DEIANEIRA NURSE HYLLUS，sonofHERACLESandDEIANEIRA MESSENGER LICHAS，theheraldofHERACLES HERACLES ANOLDMAN CHORUSOFTRACHINIANMAIDENS THETRACHINIAE （SCENE：—AtTrachis，beforethehouseofHERACLES。 EnterDEIANEIRAfromthehouse，accompaniedbytheNURSE。） DEIANEIRA THEREisasayingamongmen，putforthofold，thatthoucanstnotrightlyjudgewhetheramortal’slotisgoodorevil，erehedie。 ButI，evenbeforeIhavepassedtotheworldofdeath，knowwellthatmylifeissorrowfulandbitter；I，whointhehouseofmyfatherOeneus，whileyetIdweltatPleuron，hadsuchfearofbridalsasnevervexedanymaidenofAetolia。Formywooerwasariver—god，Achelous，whointhreeshapeswaseveraskingmefrommysire，—comingnowasabullinbodilyform，nowasserpentwithsheenycoils，nowwithtrunkofmanandfrontofox，whilefromashaggybeardthestreamsoffountain—waterflowedabroad。Withthefearofsuchasuitorbeforemineeyes，IwasalwaysprayinginmywretchednessthatImightdie，oreverIshouldcomeneartosuchabed。 Butatlast，tomyjoy，cametheglorioussonofZeusandAlcmena； whodosedwithhimincombat，anddeliveredme。Howthefightwaswaged，Icannotclearlytell，Iknownot；iftherebeanyonewhowatchedthatsightwithoutterror，suchmightspeak：I，asIsatthere，wasdistraughtwithdread，lestbeautyshouldbringmesorrowatthelast。ButfinallytheZeusofbattlesordainedwell，—ifwellindeeditbe：forsinceIhavebeenjoinedtoHeraclesashischosenbride，fearafterfearhathhauntedmeonhisaccount；onenightbringsatrouble，andthenextnight，inturn，drivesitout。Andthenchildrenwereborntous；whomhehasseenonlyasthehusbandmanseeshisdistantfield，whichhevisitsatseedtime，andonceagainatharvest。Suchwasthelifethatkepthimjourneyingtoandfro，intheserviceofacertainmaster。 Butnow，whenhehathrisenabovethosetrials，—nowitisthatmyanguishissorest。EversinceheslewthevaliantIphitus，wehavebeendwellinghereinTrachis，exilesfromourhome，andtheguestsofstranger；butwhereheis，nooneknows；Ionlyknowthatheisgone，andhathpiercedmyheartwithcruelpangsforhim。Iamalmostsurethatsomeevilhathbefallenhim；itisnoshortspacethathathpassed，buttenlongmonths，andthenfivemore，—andstillnomessagefromhim。Yes，therehasbeensomedreadmischance；—witnessthattabletwhichheleftwithmeerehewentforth：oftdoIpraytothegodsthatImaynothavereceiveditformysorrow。 NURSE Deianeira，mymistress，manyatimehaveImarkedthybittertearsandlamentations，asthoubewailedstthegoingforthofHeracles； butnow，—ifitbemeettoschoolthefree—bornwiththecounselsofaslave，andifImustsaywhatbehovesthee，—why，whenthouartsorichinsons，dostthousendnooneofthemtoseekthylord；—Hyllus，beforeall，whomightwellgoonthaterrand，ifhecaredthatthereshouldbetidingsofhisfather’swelfare？Lo！therehecomes，speedingtowardsthehousewithtimelystep；if，then，thoudeemestthatIspeakinseason，thoucanstuseatoncemycounsel，andtheman。 （HYLLUScomesinfromtheside。） DEIANEIRA Mychild，myson，wisewordsmayfall，itseems，fromhumblelips； thiswomanisaslave，buthathspokeninthespiritofthefree。 HYLLUS How，mother？Tellme，ifitmaybetold。 DEIANEIRA Itbringstheeshame，shesaith，that，whenthyfatherhathbeensolongastranger，thouhastnotsoughttolearnwhereheis。 HYLLUS Nay，Iknow，—ifrumourcanbetrusted。 DEIANEIRA Andinwhatregion，mychild，dothrumourplacehim？ HYLLUS Lastyear，theysay，throughallthemonths，hetoiledasbondmantoLydianwoman。 DEIANEIRA Ifheborethat，thennotidingscansurprise。 HYLLUS Well，hehasbeendeliveredfromthat，asIhear。 DEIANEIRA Where，then，ishereportedtobenow，—aliveordead？ HYLLUS Heiswagingorplanningawar，theysay，uponEuboea，therealmofEurytus。 DEIANEIRA Knowestthou，myson，thathehathleftwithmesureoraclestouchingthatland？ HYLLUS Whatarethey，mother？Iknownotwhereofthouspeakest。 DEIANEIRA Thateitherheshallmeethisdeath，or，havingachievedthistask，shallhaverestthenceforth，forallhisdaystocome。 So，mychild，whenhisfateisthustremblinginthescale，wiltthounotgotosuccourhim？Forwearesaved，ifhefindsafety，orweperishwithhim。 HYLLUS Ay，Iwillgo，mymother；and，hadIknowntheimportoftheseprophecies，Ihadbeentherelongsince；but，asitwas，myfather’swontedfortunesufferedmenottofeelfearforhim，ortobeanxiousovermuch。NowthatIhavetheknowledge，Iwillsparenopainstolearnthewholetruthinthismatter。 DEIANEIRA Go，then，myson；betheseekerne’ersolate，heisrewardedifhelearntidingsofjoy。 （HYLLUSdepartsastheCHORUSOFTRACHINIANMAIDENSenters。Theyarefree—bornyoungwomenofTrachiswhoarefriendsandconfidantesofDEIANEIRA。Sheremainsduringtheiropeningchoralsong。） CHORUS（singing） strophe1 ThouwhomNightbringsforthatthemomentwhensheisdespoiledofherstarrycrown，andlaystorestinthysplendour，tellme，praythee，OSun—god，tellmewhereabidesAlcmena’sson？Thougloriouslordofflashinglight，say，ishethreadingthestraitsofthesea，orhathhefoundanabodeoneithercontinent？Speak，thouwhoseestasnoneelsecansee！ antistrophe1 ForDeianeira，asIhear，hatheveranachingheart；she，thebattle—prizeofold，isnowlikesomebirdlornofitsmate；shecanneverlullheryearning，norstayhertears；hauntedbyasleeplessfearforherabsentlord，shepinesonheranxious，widowedcouch，miserableinherforebodingofmischance。 strophe2 Asonemayseebillowafterbillowdrivenoverthewidedeepbythetirelesssouth—windorthenorth，sothetroubleofhislife，stormyastheCretansea，nowwhirlsbackthesonofCadmus，nowliftshimtohonour。Butsomegodeversaveshimfromthehouseofdeath，andsuffershimnottofail。 antistrophe2 Lady，Ipraisenotthisthymood；withallreverencewillIspeak，yetinreproof。Thoudostnotwell，Isay，tokillfairhopebyfretting；rememberthatthesonofCronushimself，theall—disposingking，hathnotappointedapainlesslotformortals。Sorrowandjoycomeroundtoall，astheBearmovesinhiscirclingpaths。 epodeYea，starrynightabidesnotwithmen，nortribulation，norwealth；inamomentitisgonefromus，andanotherhathhisturnofgladness，andofbereavement。SowouldIwishtheealso，theQueen，tokeepthatprospecteverinthythoughts；forwhenhathZeusbeenfoundsocarelessofhischildren？ DEIANEIRA Yehaveheardofmytrouble，Ithink，andthathathbroughtyouhere；buttheanguishwhichconsumesmyheart—yearestrangerstothat；andnevermayyelearnitbysuffering！Yes，thetenderplantgrowsinthoseshelteredregionsofitsown！andtheSun—god’sheatvexesitnot，norrain，noranywind；butitrejoicesinitssweet，untroubledbeing，tilsuchtimeasthemaideniscalledawife，andfindsherportionofanxiousthoughtsinthenight，broodingondangertohusbandortochildren。Suchanonecouldunderstandtheburdenofmycares；shecouldjudgethembyherown。 Well，Ihavehadmanyasorrowtoweepforerenow；butIamgoingtospeakofonemoregrievousthanthemall。 WhenHeraclesmylordwasgoingfromhomeonhislastjourney，heleftinthehouseanancienttablet，inscribedwithtokenswhichhehadneverbroughthimselftoexplaintomebefore，manyasweretheordealstowhichhehadgoneforth。Hehadalwaysdepartedasiftoconquer，nottodie。Butnow，asifhewereadoomedman，hetoldmewhatportionofhissubstanceIwastotakeformydower，andhowhewouldhavehissonssharetheirfather’slandamongstthem。Andhefixedthetime；sayingthat，whenayearandthreemonthsshouldhavepassedsincehehadleftthecountry，thenhewasfatedtodie； or，ifheshouldhavesurvivedthatterm，tolivethenceforthanuntroubledlife。 Such，hesaid，wasthedoomordainedbythegodstobeaccomplishedinthetoilsofHeracles；astheancientoakatDodonahadspokenofyore，bythemouthofthetwoPeleiades。Andthisistheprecisemomentwhenthefulfilmentofthatwordbecomesdue；sothatI startupfromsweetslumber，myfriends，strickenwithterroratthethoughtthatImustremainwidowedofthenoblestamongmen。 LEADEROFTHECHORUS Hush—nomoreill—omenedwords；Iseeamanapproaching，whowearsawreath，asifforjoyoustidings。 （AMESSENGERenters。） MESSENGER QueenDeianeira，Ishallbethefirstofmessengerstofreetheefromfear。KnowthatAlcmena’ssonlivesandtriumphs，andfrombattlebringsthefirst—fruitstothegodsofthisland。 DEIANEIRA Whatnewsisthis，oldman，thatthouhasttoldme？ MESSENGER Thatthylord，admiredofall，willsooncometothyhouse，restoredtotheeinhisvictoriousmight。 DEIANEIRA Whatcitizenorstrangerhathtoldtheethis？ MESSENGER Inthemeadow，summerhauntofoxen，Lichastheheraldisproclaimingittomany：fromhimIheardit，andflewhither，thatI mightbethefirsttogivetheethesetidings，andsomightreapsomeguerdonfromthee，andwinthygrace。 DEIANEIRA Andwhyishenothere，ifhebringsgoodnews？ MESSENGER Histask，lady，isnoeasyone；alltheMalianfolkhavethrongedaroundhimwithquestions，andhecannotmoveforward：eachandallarebentonlearningwhattheydesire，andwillnotreleasehimuntiltheyaresatisfied。Thustheireagernessdetainshimagainsthiswill；butthoushaltpresentlyseehimfacetoface。 DEIANEIRA OZeus，whorulestthemeadsofOeta，sacredfromthescythe，atlast，thoughlate，thouhastgivenusjoy！Upliftyourvoices，yewomenwithinthehouseandyebeyondourgates，sincenowwearegladdenedbythelightofthismessage，thathathrisenonusbeyondmyhope！ LEADEROFONESEMI—CHORUS（singing） Letthemaidensraiseajoyousstrainforthehouse，withsongsoftriumphatthehearth；and，amidstthem，lettheshoutofthemengoupwithoneaccordforApolloofthebrightquiver，ourDefender！ Andatthesametime，yemaidens，liftupapaean，cryaloudtohissister，theOrtygianArtemis，smiterofdeer，goddessofthetwofoldtorch，andtotheNymphsherneighbours！ LEADEROFOTHERSEMI—CHORUS Myspiritsoars；Iwillnotrejectthewooingoftheflute。—O thousovereignofmysoul！Lo，theivy’sspellbeginstoworkuponme！ Euoe！—evennowitmovesmetowhirlintheswiftdanceofBachanals！ CHORUS Praise，praiseuntotheHealer！ LEADEROFWHOLECHORUS See，dearlady，see！Behold，thesetidingsaretakingshapebeforethygaze。 DEIANEIRA Iseeit，dearmaidens；mywatchingeyeshadnotfailedtonoteyoncompany。（EnterLICHAS，followedbyCaptiveMaidens。 ConspicuousamongthemisIOLE。）—Allhailtotheherald，whosecominghathbeensolongdelayed！—ifindeedthoubringestaughtthatcangivejoy。 LICHAS Wearehappyinourreturn，andhappyinthygreeting，lady，whichbefitsthedeedachieved；forwhenamanhathfairfortune，heneedsmustwingoodwelcome。 DEIANEIRA Obestoffriends，tellmefirstwhatfirstIwouldknow，—shallI receiveHeraclesalive？ LICHAS I，certainly，lefthimaliveandwell，—invigoroushealth，unburdenedbydisease。 DEIANEIRA Where，tellme—athome，oronforeignsoil？ LICHAS ThereisaheadlandofEuboea，wheretoCenaeanZeusheconsecratesaltars，andthetributeoffruitfulground。 DEIANEIRA Inpaymentofavow，oratthebiddingofanoracle？ LICHAS Foravow，madewhenhewasseekingtoconqueranddespoilthecountryofthesewomenwhoarebeforethee。 DEIANEIRA Andthese—whoarethey，Ipraythee，andwhosedaughters？Theydeservepity，unlesstheirplightdeceivesme。 LICHAS Thesearecaptiveswhomhechoseoutforhimselfandforthegods，whenhesackedthecityofEurytus。 DEIANEIRA Wasitthewaragainstthatcitywhichkepthimawaysolong，beyondallforecast，pastallcountofdays？ LICHAS Notso：thegreaterpartofthetimehewasdetainedinLydia，—nofreeman，ashedeclares，butsoldintobondage。Nooffenceshouldattendontheword，lady，whenthedeedisfoundtobeofZeus。Sohepassedawholeyear，ashehimselfavows，inthraldomtoOmphalethebarbarian。Andsostungwashebythatreproach，heboundhimselfbyasolemnoaththathewouldonedayenslave，withwifeandchild，themanwhohadbroughtthatcalamityuponhim。Nordidhespeakthewordinvain；but，whenhebadbeenpurged，gatheredanalienhost，andwentagainstthecityofEurytus。Thatman，hesaid，aloneofmortals，hadashareincausinghismisfortune。ForwhenHeracles，anoldfriend，cametohishouseandhearth，Eurytusheapedonhimthetauntsofabittertongueandspitefulsoul，— saying，’Thouhastunerringarrowsinthyhands，andyetmysonssurpasstheeinthetrialofarchery’；’Thouartaslave，’hecried，’afreeman’sbrokenthrall’：andatabanquet，whenhisguestwasfullofwine，hethrusthimfromhisdoors。 Wroththereat，whenafterwardIphituscametothehillofTiryns，insearchforhorsesthathadstrayed，Heraclesseizedamomentwhentheman’swanderingthoughtswentnotwithhiswanderinggaze，andhurledhimfromatower—likesummit。Butinangeratthatdeed，Zeusourlord，Olympiansireofall，senthimforthintobondage，andsparednot，because，thisonce，hehadtakenalifebyguile。Hadhewreakedhisvengeanceopenly，Zeuswouldsurelyhavepardonedhimtherighteoustriumph；forthegods，too，lovenotinsolence。 Sothosemen，whowaxedsoproudwithbitterspeech，arethemselvesinthemansionsofthedead，allofthem，andtheircityisenslaved；whilethewomenwhomthoubeholdest，fallenfromhappinesstomisery，comeheretothee；forsuchwasthylord’scommand，whichI，hisfaithfulservant，perform。Hehimself，thoumayestbesure，—sosoonasheshallhaveofferedholysacrificeforhisvictorytoZeusfromwhomhesprang，—willbewiththee。Afterallthefairtidingsthathavebeentold，this，indeed，isthesweetestwordtohear。 LEADEROFTHECHORUS Now，OQueen，thyjoyisassured；partiswiththee，andthouhastpromiseoftherest。 DEIANEIRA Yea，haveInotthefullestreasontorejoiceatthesetidingsofmylord’shappyfortune？Tosuchfortune，suchjoymustneedsrespond。Andyetaprudentmindcanseeroomformisgivinglesthewhoprospersshouldonedaysufferreverse。Astrangepityhathcomeoverme，friends，atthesightoftheseill—fatedexiles，homelessandfatherlessinaforeignland；oncethedaughters，perchance，offree—bornsires，butnowdoomedtothelifeofslaves。OZeus，whoturnestthetideofbattle，nevermayIseechildofminethusvisitedbythyhand；nay，ifsuchvisitationistobe，mayitnotfallwhileDeianeiralives！SuchdreaddoIfeel，beholdingthese。 （ToIOLE）Ah，haplessgirl，say，whoartthou？Amaiden，oramother？Tojudgebythineaspect，aninnocentmaiden，andofanoblerace。Lichas，whosedaughteristhisstranger？Whoishermother，whohersire？Speak，Ipityhermorethanalltherest，whenI beholdher；asshealoneshowsduefeelingforherplight。 LICHAS HowshouldIknow？Whyshould’stthouaskme？Perchancetheoff，springofnotthemeanestinyonderland。 DEIANEIRA Canshebeofroyalrace？HadEurytusadaughter？ LICHAS Iknownot；indeed，Iaskednotmanyquestions。 DEIANEIRA Andthouhastnotheardhernamefromanyofhercompanions？ LICHAS No，indeed，Iwentthroughmytaskinsilence。 DEIANEIRA Unhappygirl，letme，atleast，hearitfromthineownmouth。Itisindeeddistressingnottoknowthyname。 （IOLEmaintainshersilence。） LICHAS Itwillbeunlikeherformerbehaviour，then，Icantellthee，ifsheopensherlips：forshehathnotutteredoneword，buthatheverbeentravailingwiththeburdenofhersorrow，andweepingbitterly，poorgirl，sincesheleftherwind—swepthome。Suchastateisgrievousforherself，butclaimsourforbearance。 DEIANEIRA Thenletherbeleftinpeace，andpassunderourroofasshewishes；herpresentwoesmustnotbecrownedwithfreshpainsatmyhands；shehathenoughalready。—Nowletusallgoin，thatthoumayeststartspeedilyonthyjourney，whileImakeallthingsreadyinthehouse。 （LICHASleadsthecaptivesintothehouse。DEIANEIRAstartstofollowthem，buttheMESSENGER，whohasbeenpresentduringtheentirescene，detainsher。Hespeaksashemovesnearertoher。） MESSENGER Ay，butfirsttarryhereabriefspace，thatthoumayestlearn，apartfromyonderfolk，whomthouarttakingtothyhearth，andmayestgaintheneedfulknowledgeofthingswhichhavenotbeentoldtothee。 OftheseIaminfullpossession。 DEIANEIRA Whatmeansthis？Whywouldestthoustaymydeparture？ MESSENGER Pauseandlisten。Myformerstorywasworththyhearing，andsowillthisonebe，methinks。 DEIANEIRA ShallIcallthoseothersback？Orwiltthouspeakbeforemeandthesemaidens？ MESSENGER TotheeandtheseIcanspeakfreely；nevermindtheothers。 DEIANEIRA Well，theyaregone；—sothystorycanproceed。 MESSENGER Yondermanwasnotspeakingthestraight—forwardtruthinaughtthathehasjusttold。Hehasgivenfalsetidingsnow，orelsehisformerreportwasdishonest。 DEIANEIRA Howsayestthou？Explainthywholedriftclearly；thusfar，thywordsareriddlestome。 MESSENGER Iheardthismandeclare，beforemanywitnesses，thatforthismaiden’ssakeHeraclesoverthrewEurytusandtheproudtowersofOechalia；Love，aloneofthegods，wroughtonhimtodothosedeedsofarms，—notthetoilsomeservitudetoOmphaleinLydia，northedeathtowhichIphituswashurled。ButnowtheheraldhasthrustLoveoutofsight，andtellsdifferenttale。 Well，whenhecouldnotpersuadehersiretogivehimthemaidenforhisparamour，hedevisedsomepettycomplaintasapretext，andmadewaruponherland，—thatinwhich，ashesaid，thisEurytusboresway，—andslewtheprinceherfather，andsackedhercity。Andnow，asthouseest，hecomessendinghertothishousenotincarelessfashion，lady，norlikeslave：—no，dreamnotofthat，—itisnotlikely，ifhisheartiskindledwithdesire。 Iresolved，therefore，OQueen，totelltheeallthatIhadheardfromyonderman。Manyotherswerelisteningtoit，asIwas，inthepublicplacewheretheTrachinianswereassembled；andtheycanconvicthim。Ifmywordsareunwelcome，Iamgrieved；butneverthelessIhavespokenoutthetruth。 DEIANEIRA Ahmeunhappy！InwhatplightdoIstand？Whatsecretbanehavereceivedbeneathmyroof？HaplessthatIam！Isshenameless，then，asherconvoysware？ MESSENGER Nay，illustriousbynameasbybirth；sheisthedaughterofEurytus，andwasoncecalledIole；sheofwhoseparentageLichascouldsaynothing，because，forsooth，heaskednoquestions。 LEADEROFTHECHORUS Accursed，aboveotherevil—doers，bethemanwhomdeedsoftreacherydishonour！ DEIANEIRA Ah，maidens，whatamItodo？Theselatesttidingshavebewilderedme！ LEADER GoandinquirefromLichas；perchancehewilltellthetruth，ifthouconstrainhimtoanswer。 DEIANEIRA Well，Iwillgo；thycounselisnotamiss。 MESSENGER AndI，shallIwaithere？Orwhatisthypleasure？ DEIANEIRA Remain；—herehecomesfromthehouseofhisownaccord，withoutsummonsfromme。 （EnterLICHAS） LICHAS Lady，whatmessageshallIbeartoHeracles？Givemethycommands，for，asthouseest，Iamgoing。 DEIANEIRA Howhastilythouartrushingaway，whenthyvisithadbeensolongdelayed，—beforewehavehadtimeforfurthertalk。 LICHAS Nay，iftherebeaughtthatthouwould’stask，Iamatthyservice。 DEIANEIRA Wiltthouindeedgivemethehonesttruth？ LICHAS Yes，begreatZeusmywitness，—inanythingthatIknow，DEIANEIRA Whoisthewoman，then，whomthouhastbrought？ LICHAS SheisEuboean；butofwhatbirth，Icannotsay。 MESSENGER Sirrah，lookatme：—towhomartthouspeaking，think’stthou？ LICHAS Andthou—whatdostthoumeanbysuchaquestion？ MESSENGER Deigntoanswerme，ifthoucomprehendest。 LICHAS TotheroyalDeianeira，unlessmineeyesdeceiveme，—daughterofOeneus，wifeofHeracles，andmyqueen。 MESSENGER TheverywordthatIwishedtohearfromthee：—thousayestthatsheisthyqueen？ LICHAS Yes，asindutybound。 MESSENGER Well，then，whatartthoupreparedtosuffer，iffoundguiltyoffailinginthatduty？ LICHAS Failinginduty？Whatdarksayingisthis？ MESSENGER ’Tisnone；thedarkestwordsarethineown。 LICHAS Iwillgo，Iwasfoolishtoheartheesolong。 MESSENGER No，nottillthouhastansweredabriefquestion。 LICHAS Askwhatthouwilt；thouartnottaciturn。 MESSENGER Thatcaptive，whomthouhastbroughthome—thouknowestwhommean？ LICHAS Yes；butwhydostthouask？ MESSENGER Well，saidstthounotthatthyprisoner—she，onwhomthygazenowturnssovacantly—wasIole，daughterofEurytus？ LICHAS Saidittowhom？Whoandwhereisthemanthatwillbethywitnesstohearingthisfromme？ MESSENGER Tomanyofourownfolkthousaidstit：inthepublicgatheringofTrachinians，agreatcrowdheardthusmuchfromthee。 LICHAS Ay—saidtheyheard—but’tisonethingtoreportafancy，andanothertomakethestorygood。 MESSENGER Afancy！DidstthounotsayonthineoaththatthouwastbringingherusabrideforHeracles？ LICHAS I？bringingabride？—Inthenameofthegods，dearmistress，tellmewhothisstrangermaybe？ MESSENGER Onewhoheardfromthineownlipsthattheconquestofthewholecitywasduetoloveforthisgirl：theLydianwomanwasnotitsdestroyer，butthepassionwhichthismaidhaskindled。 LICHAS Lady，letthisfellowwithdraw：topratewiththebrainsickbefitsnotsaneman。 DEIANEIRA Nay，IimploretheebyZeuswhoselightningsgoforthoverthehighglensofOeta，donotcheatmeofthetruth！Forshetowhomthouwiltspeakisnotungenerous，norhathsheyettolearnthatthehumanheartisinconstanttoitsjoys。Theyarenotwise，then，whostandforthtobuffetagainstLove；forLoverulesthegodsashewill，andme；andwhynotanotherwoman，suchasIam？SoIammadindeed，ifIblamemyhusband，becausethatdistemperhathseizedhim；orthiswoman，hispartnerinathingwhichisnoshametothem，andnowrongtome。Impossible！No；ifhetaughttheetospeakfalsely，’tisnotanoblelessonthatthouartlearning；orifthouartthineownteacherinthis，thouwiltbefoundcruelwhenitisthywishtoprovekind。Nay，tellmethewholetruth。Toafree—bornman，thenameofliarcleavesasadeadlybrand。Ifthyhopeistoescapedetection，that，too，isvain；therearemanytowhomthouhastspoken，whowilltellme。 Andifthouartafraid，thyfearismistaken。Nottolearnthetruth，—that，indeed，wouldpainme；buttoknowit—whatisthereterribleinthat？HathnotHeraclesweddedotherserenow，—ay，morethanlivingman，—andnooneofthemhathbadharshwordortauntfromme；norshallthisgirl，thoughherwholebeingshouldbeabsorbedinherpassion；forindeedIfeltaprofoundpitywhenIbeheldher，becauseherbeautyhathwreckedherlife，andshe，haplessone，allinnocent，hathbroughtherfatherlandtoruinandtobondage。 Well，thosethingsmustgowithwindandstream。—TotheeI say，—deceivewhomthouwilt，buteverspeakthetruthtome。 LEADER Hearkentohergoodcounsel，andhereafterthoushalthavenocausetocomplainofthislady；ourthanks，too，willbethine。 LICHAS Nay，then，dearmistress，—sinceIseethatthouthinkestasmortalsshouldthink，andcanstallowforweakness，—Iwilltelltheethewholetruth，andhideitnot。Yes，itisevenasyonmansaith。ThisgirlinspiredthatovermasteringlovewhichlongagosmotethroughthesoulofHeracles；forthisgirl’ssakethedesolateOechalia，herhome，wasmadethepreyofhisspear。Andhe，—itisjusttohimtosayso，—neverdeniedthis，—nevertoldmetoconcealit。ButI，lady，fearingtowoundthyheartbysuchtidings，havesinned，ifthoucountthisinanysortasin。 Now，however，thatthouknowestthewholestory，forbothyoursakes，—forhis，andnotlessforthineown，—bearwiththewoman，andbecontentthatthewordswhichthouhastspokenregardinghershouldbindtheestill。Forhe，whosestrengthisvictoriousinallelse，hathbeenutterlyvanquishedbyhispassionforthisgirl。 DEIANEIRA Indeed，mineownthoughtsmovemetoactthus。Trustme，Iwillnotaddanewafflictiontomyburdensbywagingafruitlessfightagainstthegods。 Butletusgointothehouse，thatthoumayestreceivemymessages；and，sincegiftsshouldbemeetlyrecompensedwithgifts，— thatthoumayesttakethesealso。Itisnotrightthatthoushouldestgobackwithemptyhands，aftercomingwithsuchagoodlytrain。 （ExitMESSENGER，asLICHASandDEIANEIRAgointothehouse。） CHORUS（singing） stropheGreatandmightyisthevictorywhichtheCyprianqueeneverbearsaway。Istaynotnowtospeakofthegods；IsparetotellhowshebeguiledthesonofCronus，andHades，thelordofdarkness，orPoseidon，shakeroftheearth。 But，whenthisbridewastobewon，whowerethevaliantrivalsthatenteredthecontestforherhand？Whowentforthtotheordealofbattle，tothefierceblowsandtheblindingdust？ antistropheOnewasamightyriver—god，thedreadformofahornedandfour—leggedbull，Achelous，fromOeniadae：theothercamefromThebe，deartoBacchus，withcurvedbow，andspears，andbrandishedclub，thesonofZeus：whothenmetincombat，faintowinabride： andtheCypriangoddessofnuptialjoywastherewiththem，soleumpireoftheirstrife。 epodeThenwasthereclatteroffistsandclangofbow，andthenoiseofbull’shornstherewith；thenwerethereclose—lockedgrapplings，anddeadlyblowsfromtheforehead，andlouddeepcriesfromboth。 Meanwhile，she，inherdelicatebeauty，satonthesideofahillthatcouldbeseenafar，awaitingthehusbandthatshouldbehers。 Sothebattlerages，asIhavetold；butthefairbridewhoistheprizeofthestrifeabidestheendinpiteousanguish。Andsuddenlysheispartedfromhermother，aswhenaheiferistakenfromitsdam。 （DEIANEIRAentersfromthehousealone，carryinginherarmsacasketcontainingarobe。） DEIANEIRA Dearfriends，whileourvisitorissayinghisfarewelltothecaptivegirlsinthehouse，Ihavestolenforthtoyou，—partlytotellyouwhatthesehandshavedevised，andpartlytocraveyoursympathywithmysorrow。 Amaiden，—or，methinks，nolongeramaiden，butamistress，—hathfoundherwayintomyhouse，asafreightcomestoamariner，—amerchandisetomakeshipwreckofmypeace。Andnowwetwainaretosharethesamemarriage—bed，thesameembrace。SuchistherewardthatHeracleshathsentme，—hewhomIcalledtrueandloyal，—forguardinghishomethroughallthatwearytime。Ihavenothoughtofangeragainsthim，oftenasheisvexedwiththisdistemper。Butthentolivewithher，sharingthesameunion—whatwomancouldendureit？ForIseethattheflowerofherageisblossoming，whilemineisfading；andtheeyesofmenlovetocullthebloomofyouth，buttheyturnasidefromtheold。This，then，ismyfear，—lestHeracles，innamemyspouse，shouldbetheyounger’smate。 But，asIsaid，angerillbeseemsawomanofunderstanding。Iwilltellyou，friends，thewaybywhichIhopetofinddeliveranceandrelief。Ihadagift，giventomelongagobyamonsterofoldentime，aidstoredinanurnofbronze；agiftwhich，whileyetagirl，Itookupfromtheshaggy—breastedNessus，—fromhislife—blood，ashelaydying；Nessus，whousedtocarrymeninhisarmsacrossthedeepwatersoftheEvenus，usingnooartowaftthem，norsailofship。 I，too，wascarriedonhisshoulders，—when，bymyfather’ssending，firstwentforthwithHeraclesashiswife；andwhenIwasinmid—stream，hetouchedmewithwantonhands。Ishrieked；thesonofZeusturnedquicklyround，andshotafeatheredarrow；itwhizzedthroughhisbreasttothelungs；and，inhismortalfaintness，thusmuchtheCentaurspake：— ’ChildofagedOeneus，thoushalthaveatleastthisprofitofmyferrying，—ifthouwilthearken，—becausethouwastthelastwhomIconveyed。Ifthougatherestwiththyhandsthebloodclottedroundmywound，attheplacewheretheHydra，Lerna’smonstrousgrowth，hathtingedthearrowwithblackgall，—thisshallbetotheeacharmforthesoulofHeracles，sothatheshallneverlookuponanywomantolovehermorethanthee。’ Ibethoughtmeofthis，myfriends—for，afterhisdeath，Ihadkeptitcarefullylockedupinasecretplace；andIhaveanointedthisrobe，doingeverythingtoitasheenjoinedwhilehelived。Theworkisfinished。Maydeedsofwickeddaringbeeverfarfrommythoughts，andfrommyknowledge，—asIabhorthewomenwhoattemptthem！ButifinanywiseImayprevailagainstthisgirlbylove—spellsandcharmsusedonHeracles，themeanstothatendareready；—unless，indeed，Iseemtobeactingrashly：ifso，Iwilldesistforthwith。 LEADER Nay，ifthesemeasuresgiveanygroundofconfidence，wethinkthatthydesignisnotamiss。 DEIANEIRA Well，thegroundstandsthus，—thereisafairpromise；butIhavenotyetessayedtheproof。 LEADER Nay，knowledgemustcomethroughaction；thoucansthavenotestwhichisnotfanciful，savebytrial。 DEIANEIRA Well，weshallknowpresently：—forthereIseethemanalreadyatthedoors；andhewillsoonbegoing。—Onlymaymysecretbewellkeptbyyou！Whilethydeedsarehidden，eventhoughtheybenotseemly，thouwiltneverbebroughttoshame。 （LICHASentersfromthehouse。） LICHAS Whatarethycommands？Givememycharge，daughterofOeneus； foralreadyIhavetarriedoverlong。 DEIANEIRA Indeed，Ihavejustbeenseeingtothisforthee，Lichas，whilethouwastspeakingtothestrangermaidensinthehouse；—thatthoushouldesttakeformethislongrobe，wovenbymineownhand，agifttomineabsentlord。 Andwhenthougivestit，chargehimthathe，andnoother，shallbethefirsttowearit；thatitshallnotbeseenbythelightofthesun，norbythesacredprecinct，norbythefireatthehearth，untilhestandforth，conspicuousbeforealleyes，andshowittothegodsonadaywhenbullsareslain。 ForthushadIvowed，—thatifIshouldeverseeorhearthathehadcomesafelyhome，Iwoulddulyclothehiminthisrobe，andsopresenthimtothegods，newlyradiantattheiraltarinnewgarb。 Asproof，thoushaltcarryatoken，whichhewillquicklyrecognisewithinthecircleofthisseal。