HERACLES
STROPHE 2
Never shall I cease from this.
Muses with the Graces joining,
loveliness in yoke together. 675
I may not live without the Muses.
Let my head be always crowned!
May my old age always sing
of Memory, the Muses' mother,
always shall I sing the crown 680
of Heracles the victor!
So long as these remain—
Dionysus' gift of wine,
the lyre of seven strings
the shrilling of the flute—
never shall I cease to sing, 685
Muses who made me dance!
ANTISTROPHE 2
Paeans sing the Delian maidens,
a song for Leto's lovely son,
wheeling at the temple gates
the lovely mazes of the dance. 690
So paeans at your gate I raise,
pouring like the dying swan,
from hoary throat a song of praise.
I have a noble theme of song: 695
He is the son of Zeus!
But far beyond his birth,
his courage lifts him up,
whose labors gave this mortal calm,
who cleared away the beasts. 700
(Enter Lycus, -with attendants. Amphitryon
emerges from the palace.)
Lyons
None too soon, Amphitryon, have you appeared.
A long time now you've spent in dallying
with your robes and ornaments of death.
333