Heracles

Euripides

Euripides. The Plays of Euripides, Translated into English Prose from the Text of Paley. Vol. II. Coleridge, Edward P., translator. London: George Bell and Sons, 1891.

  1. Ah, ah! see, the bolted doors
  2. of the lofty palace are being rolled apart.
  3. Ah me! see the wretched children lying before their unhappy father, who is sunk in dreadful slumber after shedding their blood.
  4. Round him are bonds and cords, made fast with many knots about the body of Heracles, and lashed to the stone columns of his house.
Chorus Leader
  1. But he, the aged father, like mother-bird wailing
  2. her unfledged brood, comes hastening here with halting steps on his bitter journey.
The palace doors opening disclose Heracles lying asleep, bound to a shattered column.
Amphitryon
  1. Softly, softly! you aged sons of Thebes, let him sleep on and forget his sorrows.
Chorus
  1. For you, old friend, I weep and mourn, for the children too and that victorious chief.
Amphitryon
  1. Stand further off, make no noise nor outcry, do not rouse him from his calm
  2. deep slumber.
Chorus
  1. O horrible! all this blood—