Leader: Ah, hapless Greece, what mourning do I forsee for her, if
she must lose this man
Hyllus: Father, since thy pause permits an answer, hear me, afflicted
though thou art. I will ask thee for no more than is my due. Accept
my counsels, in a calmer mood than that to which this anger stings
thee: else thou canst not learn how vain is thy desire for vengeance,
and how causeless thy resentment.
Heracles: Say what thou wilt, and cease; in this my pain I understand
nought of all thy riddling words.
Hyllus: I come to tell thee of my mother,- how it is now with her,
and how she sinned unwittingly.
Heracles: Villain! What- hast thou dared to breathe her name again
in my hearing,- the name of the mother who hath slain thy sire?
Hyllus: Yea, such is her state that silence is unmeet.
Heracles: Unmeet, truly, in view of her past crimes.
Hyllus: And also of her deeds this day,- as thou wilt own.
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