HERACLES
who took my goodness and returned me ill—
this bow with which I won the victor's crown 570
shall slaughter them with rain of winged shafts.
till all Ismenus chokes upon the corpses
and Dirce's silver waters run with blood.
What should I defend if not my wife and sons
and my old father? Farewell, my labors! 575
for wrongly I preferred you more than these.
They would have died for me, and I should die
in their defense. Or is this bravery,
to do Eurystheus' orders and contend
with lions and hydras, and not to struggle 580
for my children's lives? From this time forth,
call me no more "Heracles the victor."
Chorus
This is right, that a man defend his sons,
his aged father, and his wedded wife.
Amphitryon
My son, it is like you to love your friends 585
and hate your foe. But do not act too fast.
Heracles
How do I act faster than I should?
Amphitryon
The king has henchmen, a mob of needy men
who pass themselves off for men of wealth.
These men, their substance drained away by sloth 590
and spending, have promoted civil strife
and wrecked the state to mulct their neighbors.
You were seen coming here. Beware therefore
lest your enemy be stronger than you guess.
Heracles
I do not care if all the city saw me! 595
But seeing a bird in some foreboding place,
329