the sky and earth and the sun’s darting beam; but how my senses reel! in what strange turmoil am I plunged! my fevered breath in quick spasmodic gasps escapes my lungs. How now? why am I lying here, my brawny chest and arms made fast with cables like a ship, beside a half-shattered piece of masonry, with corpses for my neighbors; while over the floor my bow and arrows are scattered, that once like trusty squires to my arm both kept me safe and were kept safe by me? Surely I have not come a second time to Hades’ halls, having just returned from there for Eurystheus? To Hades? From where? No, I do not see Sisyphus with his stone, or Pluto, or his queen, Demeter’s child. Surely I am distraught; where am I, so helpless? Ho, there! which of my friends is near or far to cure me in my perplexity? For I have no clear knowledge of things once familiar.AmphitryonMy aged friends, shall I approach the scene of my sorrow?Chorus LeaderYes, and let me go with you, not desert you in your trouble.HeraclesFather, why do you weep and veil your eyes, standing far from your beloved son?AmphitryonMy child! mine still, for all your misery.HeraclesWhy, what is there so sad in my case that you weep?AmphitryonThat which might make any of the gods weep, if he were to learn it.HeraclesA bold assertion that, but you are not yet explaining what has happened.AmphitryonYour own eyes see that, if by this time you are restored to your senses.HeraclesFill in your sketch if any change awaits my life.AmphitryonI will explain, if you are no longer mad as a fiend of hell.HeraclesOh! what suspicions these dark hints of yours again excite!AmphitryonI am still doubtful whether you are in your sober senses.HeraclesI have no recollection of being mad.AmphitryonAm I to loose my son, old friends, or what shall I do?HeraclesLoose me, yes, and say who bound me; for I feel shame at this.AmphitryonRest content with what you know of your woes; the rest forego.