Stasimon 1
[Episode]
Ah, misery! What is happening to me? What secret plague have I welcomed beneath my roof? Ah, me! So, she was born without a name, as her escort swore?
375
Messenger
No, illustrious by name, as by birth;
she is the daughter of Eurytus, and was once called Iole. But he could say nothing of her birth, because, of course, he made no investigation.
380
Chorus
May destruction seize not all wrongdoers—no, only the man who practices stealthy wrongdoing that is shameful to his rank!
Deianeira
Ah, friends, what should I do? I am dumbstruck by this latest news!
385
Chorus
Go and question Lichas, since he might tell the truth, if you were willing to compel him by threat of force to answer.
Deianeira
I will go. Your advice does not lack good judgment.
Messenger
And I, shall I wait here? Or what do you require?
390
Deianeira
Stay here—since he is coming out from the house without my summons, but of his own accord.
Lichas
My lady, what message shall I bear to Heracles? Instruct me, for, as you see, I am going.
Deianeira
How quickly you rush away, when your arrival had been so tardy—before we have even resumed our talk.
395
Lichas
Well, if there is anything you must ask, I am at your service.
Deianeira
Will you indeed give me the honest truth?
Lichas
Yes, be great Zeus my witness—in anything that I know.
Deianeira
Who is the woman, then, whom you escorted here?
400
Lichas
She is Euboean. But whose offspring, I cannot say.
Messenger
You there, look at me. To whom do you think you speak?
Lichas
And you, to what end have you asked me such a question?
Messenger
Dare to answer my question, if you are sensible.
Lichas
I speak to the royal Deianeira, daughter of Oeneus, wife of Heracles and, unless my eyes deceive me, my mistress.
405
Messenger
The very word that I wished to hear from you—you admit that she is your mistress?
Lichas
Yes, it is only right to do so.
Messenger
Well, then, what penalty would you think it right to pay, if you should be found to be behaving wrongly towards her?
410
Lichas
Wrongly? What fiction have you created?
Messenger
None. Rather it is you, to be sure, who do this.
Lichas
I am leaving—I was foolish to listen to you so long.
Messenger
No, not until you have answered a small question.
415
Lichas
Speak, if you require something. You are not the silent type.
Messenger
That captive, whom you escorted into the house, you know whom I mean?
Lichas
Yes. But why do you ask?
