THE HERACLEIDAE
Men dropped all round as war-cries swept the field.
"Athens, come on." Then "Men of Argos, strike;
Don't let the enemy make fools of us." 840
And we had all that we could do, but with
Great trouble, in the end we broke their ranks.
Then lolaus, seeing Hyllus rush
By him begged hard to be allowed to get
Up on a chariot. Once there, he took 845
The reins himself and set his course straight for
The Argive king. That much I saw myself.
I'll tell the rest as it was told to me.
Passing Pallene and Athena's hill
He saw Eurystheus' car, and so he prayed 850
To Zeus and Hebe, to get back his youth
For just a day, and take a full revenge.
Then came the most astounding thing of all!
Two stars shone on the yoke. They threw a dark
Cloud over the whole car, and people who 855
Should know say they were Hebe and your own
Great son. Then the haze lifted to disclose
A young fellow with husky biceps, and,
Like a true hero, lolaus caught
The king's own chariot at Sciron's rocks. 860
He's brought that chief who used to be so high
And mighty back with him, a prisoner
Of war with hands tied up. The lesson of
The thing is very plain. Don't envy men
Because they seem to have a run of luck, 865
Since luck's a nine days' wonder. Wait their end.
Chorus
Give thanks to Zeus, who fought for us. At last
A day on which our worries are removed.
Alcmene
Hail Zeus! You took your time in helping me,
But I'm not less obliged to you for that. 870
And now I know my son is really with
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