Amphitryon
Well done; now, on your arrival, go salute your household altar,
[600]
and let your father's halls behold your face. For soon the king will be here in person to drag away your wife and children and murder them, and to add me to the bloody list. But if you remain on the spot all will go well, and you will profit by this security; but do not rouse
[605]
your city before you have these matters well in train, my son.
Heracles
I will do so; your advice is good; I will enter my house. After my return at length from the sunless den of Hades and the maiden queen of hell, I will not neglect to greet first of all the gods beneath my roof.
Amphitryon
[610]
Did you really go to the house of Hades, my son?
Heracles
Yes, and brought to the light that three-headed monster.
Amphitryon
Did you conquer him in fight, or receive him from the goddess?
Heracles
In fight; for I had been lucky enough to witness the rites of the initiated.
Amphitryon
Is the monster really lodged in the house of Eurystheus?
Heracles
[615]
The grove of Demeter and the city of Hermione have him now.
Amphitryon
Eurystheus does not know that you have returned to the upper world?
Heracles
He does not; I came here first to learn your news.
Amphitryon
How is it you were so long beneath the earth?
Heracles
I stayed awhile attempting to bring back Theseus from Hades, father.
Amphitryon
[620]
Where is he? gone to his native land?
Heracles
He set out for Athens, glad to have escaped from the lower world. Come now, children, attend your father to the house. My entering in is fairer in your eyes, I think, than my going out. Oh, take heart,
[625]
and no more let the tears stream from your eyes; you too, my wife, collect your courage, cease from fear; let go my robe; for I cannot fly away, nor have I any wish to flee from those I love. Ah! they do not loose their hold, but cling to my garments
[630]
all the more; were you on the razor's edge of danger? Well, I must lead them, taking them by the hand to draw them after me, my little boats, like a ship when towing; for I too do not reject the care of my children; here all mankind are equal; all love their children, both those of high estate
[635]
and those who are nothing; it is wealth that makes distinctions among them; some have, others want; but all the human race loves its offspring.Heracles, Megara, Amphitryon and the children enter the palace.
This text is part of:
Table of Contents:
Euripides. The Complete Greek Drama, edited by Whitney J. Oates and Eugene O'Neill, Jr. in two volumes. 1. Heracles, translated by E. P. Coleridge. New York. Random House. 1938.
The Annenberg CPB/Project provided support for entering this text.