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Hyllus
Father, think what your words are doing to me!
Heracles
Obey! or else go find another father,
and cease to call yourself my son hereafter.
Hyllus
Alas, what are you asking of me, father -
to murder you and take your blood upon me?
Heracles
No, but to be the healer of my illness
and sole physician of my agony.
Hyllus
1210How can I heal you if I burn your body?
Heracles
If you fear that, at least perform the rest.
Hyllus
Yes. I will not refuse to take you there.
Heracles
And will you build the pyre, as I have told you?
Hyllus
Only if I must not lay hands upon it.
Otherwise I will carry out your wishes.
Heracles
Then that is all I ask. Now only add
to these great benefits one little favor.
Hyllus
However great it is, it shall be done.
Heracles
You know the daughter of king Eurytus?
Hyllus
1220Iole? Do I understand your meaning?
The Women of Trachis and Philoctetes. A new translation in verse by Robert Torrance. Houghton Mifflin. 1966.
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