Servant: How shalt thou show thyself before the troops unarmed?
Iolaus: There be captured arms within this shrine; these will I use,
and, if I live, restore; and, if I am slain, the god will not demand
them of me back. Go thou within, and from its peg take down a suit
of armour and forthwith bring it to me. To linger thus at home is
infamous, while some go fight, and others out of cowardice remain
behind. (The Servant goes into the temple.)
Chorus: (singing) Not yet hath time laid low thy spirit, 'tis young
as ever; but thy body's strength is gone. Why toil to no purpose?
'Twill do thee hurt and benefit our city little. At thy age thou shouldst
confess thy error and let impossibilities alone. Thou canst in no
way get thy vigour back again.
Alcmena: What means this mad resolve to leave me with my children
undefended here?
Iolaus: Men must fight; and thou must look to them.
Studies
