Part 10

ALC. Whence with your voice resounds this echoing dome, O Iolaus, is another herald From Argos come, who forcibly assails you? My strength indeed is small, yet be assured Of this, presumptuous stranger, while I live Thou shalt not bear them hence. May I no more Be deemed the mother of that godlike son, When I submit to this. But if thou dare To touch the children, with two aged foes Ignobly wilt thou strive.

IOL. Be of good cheer, Thou hoary matron, banish these alarms; No herald with a hostile message comes From Argos.

ALC. Why then raised you that loud voice, The harbinger of fear?

IOL. That from the temple Thou might’st come forth, and join us.

ALC. What you mean I comprehend not. Who is this?

IOL. He tells us Thy grandson marches hither.

ALC. Hail, O thou Who bear’st these welcome tidings? but what brings him To these domains? Where is he? What affairs Prevented him from coming hither with thee, To fill my soul with transport?

SER. He now marshals The forces which attend him.

ALC. In this conference Am I no longer then allowed to join?

IOL. Thou art: but ’tis my business to inquire Into these matters.

SER. Which of his transactions Say art thou most solicitous to know?

IOL. The number of the troops he leads?

SER. Is great, I cannot count them.

IOL. The Athenian chiefs Are sure apprized of this.

SER. They are apprized, And the left wing is formed.

IOL. Then the whole host Arrayed in arms is ready for the battle.

SER. The victims to a distance from the ranks Already are removed.

IOL. But at what distance Is the encampment of the Argive warriors?

SER. So near that we their leader can distinguish.

IOL. What is he doing; marshalling our foes?

SER. This we conjecture: for I could not hear His voice: but I must go; for I my lord Will not abandon when he nobly braves The dangers of the field.

IOL. I too with thee Will join him; for the same are our intentions, As honour bids us, to assist our friends.

SER. Unwisely hast thou spoken.

IOL. With my friends Shall not I then the stubborn conflict share?

SER. That strength which erst was thine is now no more.

IOL. Can I not pierce their shields?

SER. Thou may’st: but first, More likely, fall thyself.

IOL. No foe will dare To meet me face to face.

SER. By thy mere looks, With that debilitated arm, no wound Canst thou inflict.

IOL. My presence in the field Will to our troops give courage, and augment Their number.

SER. Of small service to thy friends Will thy appearance prove.

IOL. Detain me not: I for some glorious action am prepared.

SER. Thou hast the will to act, but not the power.

IOL. I will not be reproached for loitering here, Say what thou wilt beside.

SER. But without arms How wilt thou face yon warriors sheathed in mail?

IOL. The various implements of war are lodged Beneath these roofs; with freedom will I use, And if I live, return them; if I die, The god will not demand them back again. Go then into the temple, and reach down Those martial trappings from the golden nails On which they hang, and bring them to me swiftly. For this were infamous, while some are fighting, If others loiter slothfully behind.

[_Exit_ SERVANT.

CHOR. Time hath not yet debased that lofty soul ’Tis vigorous, though thy body be decayed. Why should’st thou enter on these fruitless toils, Which only injure thee, and to our city Can be of little service? on thy age Should’st thou reflect, and lay aside attempts That are impossible, for by no arts The long-lost force of youth canst thou regain.

ALC. What schemes are these? distempered in your mind, Me and my children mean you to abandon?

IOL. The battle is man’s province: to thy care Them I consign.

ALC. But if you die, what means Have I of being saved?

IOL. The tender care Of the surviving children of thy son.

ALC. Should they too meet with some severe mishap, Which may the gods forbid.

IOL. These generous strangers Will not betray thee; banish every fear.

ALC. In them I trust: I have no other friend.

IOL. Jove too, I know, is mindful of thy toils.

ALC. I will not speak in disrespectful terms Of Jove: but whether he his plighted troth Have kept, full well he knows.

SER. [_returning._] Thou here behold’st The brazen panoply, now haste to sheathe Thy limbs in mail; the battle is at hand, And Mars detests a loiterer: if thou fear Accoutrements so ponderous, to the field Advance disarmed, nor till thou join the ranks Wear these unwieldy trappings; for meantime I in my hands their burden will sustain.

IOL. Well hast thou spoken; with those arms attend me Ready for the encounter, place a spear In my right hand, and under my left arm Hold me, and guide my steps.

SER. Shall I conduct A warrior like a child?

IOL. I must tread sure, Else ’twere an evil omen.

SER. Would thy power Equalled thy zeal.

IOL. Haste: greatly ’twill afflict me If, left behind, I cannot join the fray.

SER. Slow are thy steps, and hence thou deem’st I move not.

IOL. Behold’st thou not the swiftness of my pace?

SER. Thou to thyself I see appear’st to hasten, Although thou gain’st no ground.

IOL. When in the field Thou seest me, thou wilt own I speak the truth.

SER. What great exploit achieving? I could wish That thou might’st prove victorious.

IOL. Through his shield Some foe transfixing.

SER. We at length may reach Th’ embattled plain, but this I greatly fear.

IOL. Ah, would to heaven, that thou, my withered arm, Again wert vigorous, as in former days Thee I remember, when thou didst lay waste The Spartan realms with Hercules; thus fight My battles now, and singly will I triumph Over Eurystheus, for that dastard fears To face the dangers of th’ embattled field: Too apt in our ideas to unite Valour with wealth, yet to the prosperous man Superior wisdom falsely we ascribe.

[_Exeunt_ IOLAUS _and_ SERVANT.

CHORUS.

ODE.

I. 1.

O fostering Earth, resplendent Moon, Who gladd’st the dreary shades of night, And thou, enthroned at broadest noon, Hyperion, ’midst exhaustless light, To me propitious tidings bring, Raise to the skies a festive sound, And waft the gladsome notes around, Till, from the palace of our king, They echo through Minerva’s fane: My house, my country, to maintain Against the ruthless spoiler’s pride, Menaced because this realm extends Protection to its suppliant friends, I with the sword our contest will decide.

I. 2.

Although there seem just cause for dread, When cities like Mycene blest, Whose triumphs fame hath widely spread Enter this region to invest Our bulwarks, harbouring ruthless hate. Think, O my country, think what shame, Should we reject the suppliant’s claim Appalled by Argos’ haughty state. Resistless Jove shall aid the spear I brandish unappalled by fear; The tribute of eternal praise From all that breathe, to him is due: Nor magnified by our weak view Shall men above the gods their trophies raise.

II. 1.

Descend with venerable mien, O thou our guardian and our queen, For on thy fostering soil we stand, These walls were reared by thy command, Drive from our menaced gates the lawless host, Suppress that Argive tyrant’s boast; For if by you unaided, is this hand Too weak their fury to withstand.

II. 2.

Thee, O Minerva, we adore, Thy altar ever streams with gore: We on each moon’s concluding day To thee our public homage pay; Through every fane harmonious numbers sound, Sweet minstrelsy then breathes around, And th’ echoing hills their nightly dance repeat As the nymphs move with agile feet.

SERVANT, ALCMENA, CHORUS.

SER. O royal dame, the message that to you I bring, is both concise, and what reflects On me abundant glory to relate, In fight have we prevailed, and trophies reared On which the armour of your foes is hung.

ALC. This day hath brought thee hither, O my friend, Thy freedom for such tidings to receive: But one anxiety there still remains To which thou leav’st me subject; much I fear For the important lives of those I love.

SER. They live, and have obtained from all the host The greatest fame.

ALC. And Iolaus too, My aged friend?

SER. Yet more, he hath performed Through the peculiar favour of the gods Exploits most memorable.

ALC. What glorious deed Hath he achieved in fight?

SER. From an old man, He is grown young again.

ALC. Thou speak’st of things Most wonderful. But first, how fought our friends With such success, I wish thee to inform me.

SER. All that hath passed, at once will I relate When, to each other in the field opposed, We had arranged both armies, and spread forth The van of battle to its full extent, Hyllus alighting from his chariot, stood In the midway ’twixt either host, and cried: “Thou leader of the Argive troops, who com’st With hostile fury to invade this land, Thy interests recommend what I propose, Nor can Mycene suffer from the loss If thou deprive her of a single warrior; Therefore with me encounter hand to hand, And if thou slay me, seize and bear away The sons of Hercules; but if thou die, My palace and hereditary rank Permit me to enjoy.” The troops assented, And praised what he had spoken as the means Of finishing their labours, and a proof Of his exalted courage. But Eurystheus Unmoved by reverence for th’ assembled host Who heard the challenge, and with terror smitten, Forgot the general’s part, nor dared to face The lifted spear, but acted like a dastard: Yet he who was thus destitute of courage Came to enslave the sons of Hercules. Hyllus again retreated to his rank; The prophets too, when they perceived no peace Could be effected by a single combat, Without delay the blooming virgin slew, Auspicious victim, from whose pallid lips Her trembling spirit fled. The lofty car Some mounted, o’er their sides while others flung Their bucklers to protect them. To his host, Meantime the king of Athens, in a strain Worthy of his exalted courage, spoke: “Ye citizens, the land to which ye owe Your nourishment and birth, now claims your aid.” Equally loth to sully the renown Of Argos and Mycene, in like terms The foe besought his partners of the war Their utmost vigour to exert. No sooner Had the loud signal by Etruria’s trump Been given, than they in thickest battle joined. Think with what crash their brazen shields resounded, What groans and intermingled shouts were heard! First through our lines the host of Argos burst, And in their turn gave way: then foot to foot, And man to man opposed, in stubborn conflict We all persisted: multitudes were slain; But in this language either chief his troops Encouraged: “O ye citizens of Athens, O ye who till the fruitful Argive field, Will ye not from your native land repel The foul disgrace?” But with our utmost efforts Scarce could we put to flight the Argive host. When Iolaus saw young Hyllus break The ranks of battle, he with lifted hands Entreated him to place him in his car, Then seized the reins, and onward in pursuit Of the swift coursers of Eurystheus drove. As to the sequel; from report alone Let others speak, I tell what I have seen: While through Pallenè’s streets he passed, where rise Minerva’s altars, soon as he descried The chariot of Eurystheus, he a prayer Addressed to blooming Hebe, and to Jove, That for that single day he might recover The pristine vigour of his youth, and punish His foes as they deserve. You now shall hear What a miraculous event ensued; Two stars ’bove Iolaus’ chariot stood, And overshadowed it with gloomy clouds, Which, by the wise ’tis said, were Hercules Your son, and blooming Hebe: from that mist Which veiled the skies, the chief grown young again, Displayed his vigorous arms, and near the rocks Of Scyron, seized Eurystheus in his car. Binding his hands with chains, he hither brings The Argive tyrant, a distinguished prize, Who once was happy; but on all mankind Loudly inculcates by his present fortunes This lesson: not too rashly to ascribe Felicity to him who in appearance Is prosperous, but to wait till we behold His close of life; for fortune day by day Doth waver.

CHOR. Thou great author of success, O Jove, at length am I allowed to view The day, by which my terrors are dispelled.

ALC. ’Twas late indeed, when thou, O Jove, didst look On my afflictions; yet am I to thee Most grateful for the kindness thou hast shown me. And though I erst believed not that my son Dwells with the gods, I clearly know it now. Now, O my children, ye from all your toils Shall be set free, and of Eurystheus, doomed With shame to perish, burst the galling yoke, Behold your father’s city, the rich fields Of your inheritance again possess, And sacrifice to your paternal gods, From whom excluded, in a foreign land Ye led a wandering miserable life. But with what sage design yet undisclosed, Hath Iolaus spared Eurystheus’ life, Inform me: for to us it seems unwise Not to avenge our wrongs when we have caught Our enemies.

SER. He through respect to you Hath acted thus, that you might see the tyrant Vanquished, and rendered subject to your power, Not by his own consent, but in the yoke Bound by necessity; for he was loth To come into your presence, ere he bleed, And suffer as he merits. But farewell, O venerable matron, and remember The promise you first made when I began These tidings, and, oh, set me free: for nought But truth should from ingenuous lips proceed.

[_Exit_ SERVANT.

CHORUS.

ODE.

I. 1.

To me the choral song is sweet, When the shrill flute and genial banquet meet, If Venus also grace the festive board: I taste a more refined delight Now I behold my friends (transporting sight!) To unexpected happiness restored. For in this nether world, eventful Fate, And Saturn’s offspring Time, full many a change create.

I. 2.

Follow the plain and beaten way, From Justice, O my country, never stray, Nor cease the powers immortal to revere. To heights scarce short of frenzy rise The errors of that mortal, who denies Assent to truths confirmed by proofs so clear. Jove’s power by signal judgments is descried, Oft as his vengeance blasts the towering crest of pride.

II. 1.

In heavenly mansions with the blest, Thy son, O venerable dame, doth rest; He hath confuted those invidious tales, That to loathed Pluto’s house he came Soon as he perished in that dreadful flame: He under roofs of burnished gold regales, On the soft couch of lovely Hebe placed; Them two, both sprung from Jove, O Hymen, thou hast graced.

II. 2.

Events, which strike man’s wondering eyes, From a variety of causes rise. For fame relates how Pallas saved the sire, And from her city far renowned, Her race, protection have the children found; She hath suppressed th’ o’erweening tyrant’s ire, Whose violence no laws could ere control; Curse on such boundless pride, that fever of the soul.

MESSENGER, EURYSTHEUS, ALCMENA, CHORUS.

MES. Your eyes indeed behold, O royal dame, Yet shall this tongue declare that we have brought Eurystheus hither, unexpected sight, Reverse of fortune his presumptuous soul Foresaw not, this oppressor little deemed That he should ever fall into your hands, When from Mycene, by the Cyclops’ toil Erected, he those squadrons led, and hoped With pride o’erweening to lay Athens waste; But Heaven our situation hath reversed: And therefore with exulting Hyllus joins The valiant Iolaus, in erecting Trophies to Jove the author of our conquest. But they to you commanded me to lead This captive, wishing to delight your soul: For ’tis most grateful to behold a foe Fall’n from the height of gay prosperity.

ALC. Com’st thou, detested wretch? at length hath Justice O’ertaken thee? First hither turn thy head, And dare to face thine enemies: for, dwindled Into a vassal, thou no longer rul’st. Art thou the man (for I would know the truth) Who didst presume to heap unnumbered wrongs, Thou author of all mischief, on my son While yet he lived, wherever now resides His dauntless spirit? For in what one instance Didst thou not injure him? At thy command, Alive he travelled to th’ infernal shades; Thou sent’st, and didst commission him to slay Hydras and lions. Various other mischiefs, Which were by thee contrived, I mention not, For an attempt to speak of them at large Would be full tedious. Nor was it enough For thee to venture on these wrongs alone, But thou, moreover, from each Grecian state Me and these children hast expelled, though seated As suppliants at the altars of the gods, Confounding those whose locks are grey through age With tender infants. But thou here hast found Those who were men indeed, and a free city Which feared thee not. Thou wretchedly shalt perish, And pay this bitter usury to atone For all thy crimes, whose number is so great That it were just thou more than once shouldst die.

MES. You must not kill him.

ALC. Then have we in vain Taken him captive. But what law forbids His being slain?

MES. The rulers of this land Consent not.

ALC. Is it not by them esteemed A glorious action to despatch our foes?

MES. Not such as they have seized alive in battle.

ALC. Is Hyllus satisfied with this decree?

MES. He, in my judgment, will forsooth act rightly, If he oppose what Athens shall enjoin.

ALC. The captive tyrant ill deserves to live, Or longer view the sun.

MES. In this first instance They did amiss, when by their swords he died not.

ALC. Is it not just that he should suffer still?

MES. He who will slay him is not to be found.

ALC. What shall I say if some adventurous hand——

MES. If you do this, you will incur great censure.

ALC. I love this city, I confess: but no man, Since he is fall’n into my power, shall force This prisoner from me: let them call me bold And more presumptuous than becomes a woman, I am resolved to execute my purpose.

MES. Full well I know the hatred which you bear To this unhappy man is terrible, And such as merits pardon.

EUR. Be convinced Of this, O woman, that I cannot flatter, Nor to preserve this wretched life say aught, Whence they may brand me with a dastard’s name. For I with much reluctance undertook This contest; near in blood am I to thee, And of that race whence sprung thy son Alcides. But whether I consented, or was loth, Me Juno caused by her immortal power To harbour this dire frenzy in my breast. Since I became his foe, since I resolved Upon this strife, much mischief I devised, And brooded o’er it many a tedious night, That after I had wearied out and slain Those I abhorred, I might no longer lead A life of fear: for well I knew thy son Was no mere cipher, but a man indeed: Though strong my hate, on him will I confer The praise he merits from his valiant deeds. But after he was dead, was I not forced, Because I was a foe to these his sons, And knew what bitter enmity ’gainst me They from their sire inherited, to leave No stone unturned, to slay, to banish them, And plot their ruin? Could I have succeeded In these designs, my throne had stood secure. If thou my prosperous station hadst obtained, Wouldst thou not have attempted to hunt down The lion’s whelps, instead of suffering them At Argos unmolested to reside? Thou canst prevail on no man to give credit To such assertions: therefore, since my foes Forbore to slay me, when prepared to lose My life in battle, by the laws of Greece, If I now die, my blood will fix a stain Of lasting guilt on him who murders me. This city hath discreetly spared my life, More influenced by its reverence for the gods Than by the hatred which to me it bears. My answer to the charges thou hast urged Against me, having heard, esteem me now A suppliant, and though wretched, still a king, For such is my condition: though to die I wish not, yet can I without regret Surrender up my life.

CHOR. To you, Alcmena, A little wholesome counsel would I give, This captive monarch to release, since such The pleasure of the city.

ALC. If he die, And to the mandates of th’ Athenian realm I still submit, what mischief can ensue?

CHOR. ’Twere best of all. But how can these two things Be reconciled?

ALC. I will inform you how This may with ease be done. I, to his friends, When slain will yield him up, and with this land Comply in the disposal of his corse: But he shall die to sate my just revenge.