HERACLES
Megara
My father is dead. My brothers are dead.
Heracles
What! How did they die? Who killed them? 540
Megara
Murdered by Lycus, the upstart tyrant.
Heracles
In revolution? Or civil war?
Megara
Civil war. Now he rules our seven gates.
Heracles
But why should you and my father be afraid?
Megara
He planned to kill us: your sons, father, and me. 545
Heracles
What had he to fear from my orphaned sons?
Megara
Lest they take revenge some day for Creon's death.
Heracles
But why these garments? Why are they dressed for death?
Megara
It was for our own deaths we put them on.
Heracles
You would have died by violence? O godsl 550
Megara
We had no friends. We heard that you were dead,
327