1. THE NEMEAN
LION.—His first task was to bring to Eurystheus the skin of the much-dreaded
Nemean lion, which ravaged the territory between Cleone and Nemea, and whose
hide was invulnerable against any mortal weapon.
Heracles proceeded to the
forest of Nemea, where, having discovered the lion's lair, he attempted to
pierce him with his arrows; but finding these of no avail he felled him to the
ground with his club, and before the animal had time to recover from the
terrible blow, {239} Heracles seized him by the neck and, with a mighty effort,
succeeded in strangling him. He then made himself a coat of mail of the skin,
and a new helmet of the head of the animal. Thus attired, he so alarmed
Eurystheus by appearing suddenly before him, that the king concealed himself in
his palace, and henceforth forbade Heracles to enter his presence, but
commanded him to receive his behests, for the future, through his messenger
Copreus.