Copreus: Doubtless thy folly lets thee think this is a good position
to have taken up, and that thou art come to a city that will help
thee. No! there is none that will prefer thy feeble arm to the might
of Eurystheus. Begone! why take this trouble? Thou must arise and
go to Argos, where awaits thee death by stoning.
Iolaus: Not so, for the god's altar will protect me, and this land
of freedom, wherein we have set foot.
Copreus: Wilt give me the trouble of laying hands on thee?
Iolaus: By force at least shalt thou never drag these children hence.
Copreus: That shalt thou soon learn; it seems thou wert a poor prophet,
after all, in this. (Copreus seizes the children.)
Iolaus: This shall never happen while I live.
Copreus: Begone! for I will take them hence, for all thy refusals,
for I hold that they belong to Eurystheus, as they do indeed. (He
throws Iolaus to the ground.)