Heracleidae
Euripides
Euripides. The Plays of Euripides, Translated into English Prose from the Text of Paley. Vol. I. Coleridge, Edward P., translator. London: George Bell and Sons, 1906.
- Here am I, so far as I can be present at all.
- Why dost thou lie there? Why that downcast look?
- There is come a sorrow on my house, whereby I am distressed.
- Arise, lift up thy head.
- I am old, and all my strength is gone.
- But I come with tidings of great joy for thee.
- Who art thou? Where have I met thee? I have no remembrance.
- I am a vassal of Hyllus; dost not recognize me now?
- Best of friends, art thou come to save us twain from hurt?
- Assuredly; and moreover thou art lucky in the present case.
- Alcmena, mother of a noble son, to thee I call! come forth, hear this welcome news. For long has anguish caused thee inwardly to waste, wondering if those,
- who now are here, would ever come.
- What means that shout, that echoes throughout the house? Hath there come yet a herald from Argos, O Iolaus, and is he treating thee with violence? Feeble is any strength of mine; yet thus much let me tell thee, stranger,
- never, whilst I live, shalt thou drag them hence. Shouldst thou succeed, no more let me be thought the mother of that hero. And if thou lay a finger on them, thou wilt struggle to thy shame with two aged foes.
- Courage, aged dame, fear not; not from Argos
- is a herald come, with hostile messages.
- Why then didst raise a cry, fear’s harbinger?
- I called thee to come to me in front of this temple.
- I know not what it means; who is this?
- A messenger who says thy grandson cometh hither.