Euripides' HERACLEIDAE Complete

Translated by E. Coleridge.

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47 pages - You are on Page 42

Messenger: Mistress, though thine eyes see him, yet will I announce
we have brought Eurystheus hither for thy pleasure, an unexpected
sight, for him no less a chance he ne'er foresaw; for little he thought
of ever falling into thy hands, what time he marched from Mycenae
with his toil-worn warriors, to sack Athens, thinking himself far
above fortune. But a power divine hath reversed our destinies, changing
their position. Now Hyllus and brave Iolaus I left raising an image
to Zeus, who routs the foe, for their triumphant victory, whilst they
bid me bring this prisoner to thee, wishing to gladden thy heart;
for 'tis the sweetest sight to see a foe fall on evil days after prosperity.

Alcmena: Art come, thou hateful wretch? Hath justice caught thee then
at last? First, turn thy head this way to me, and endure to look thy
enemies in the face, for thou art no more the ruler, but the slave.
Art thou the man-for this I fain would learn-who didst presume to
heap thy insults on my son, who now is where he is, thou miscreant?
What outrage didst thou abstain from putting upon him? Thou that didst
make him go down alive even to Hades, and wouldst send him with an
order to slay hydras and lions? Thy other evil schemes I mention not,
for to tell them were a tedious task for me. Nor did it content thee
to venture thus far only; no! but from all Hellas wouldst thou drive
me and my children, heaven's suppliants though we were, grey-beards
some of us, and some still tender babes. But here hast thou found
men and a free city, that feared not thee. Die in torment must thou,
and e'en so wilt thou gain in every way, for one death is not thy
due, after all the sorrow thou hast caused.

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