Servant: I am a vassal of Hyllus; dost not recognize me now?
Iolaus: Best of friends, art thou come to save us twain from hurt?
Servant: Assuredly; and moreover thou art lucky in the present case.
Iolaus: Alcmena, mother of a noble son, to thee I call! come forth,
hear this welcome news. For long has anguish caused thee inwardly
to waste, wondering if those, who now are here, would ever come.
(Alcmena enters from the temple in answer to the call.)
Alcmena: What means that shout, that echoes throughout the house?
Hath there come yet a herald from Argos, O Iolaus, and is he treating
thee with violence? Feeble is any strength of mine; yet thus much
let me tell thee, stranger, never, whilst I live, shalt thou drag
them hence. Shouldst thou succeed, no more let me be thought the mother
of that hero. And if thou lay a finger on them, thou wilt struggle
to thy shame with two aged foes.
Iolaus: Courage, aged dame, fear not; not from Argos is a herald come,
with hostile messages.
Studies
