Stasimon 2
[Episode]
My son, it is like you to show your love for your dear ones and your hate for your enemies; only curb excessive hastiness.
585
Heracles
How, father, am I now showing more than fitting haste?
Amphitryon
The king has a host of allies, needy villains though pretending to be rich,
who sowed dissension and overthrew the state with a view to plundering their neighbors; for the wealth they had in their houses was all spent, dissipated by their sloth. You were seen entering the city; and, that being so, beware that you do not bring your enemies together and be slain unawares.
590
Heracles
Little I care if the whole city saw me; but happening to see a bird perched in an unlucky position, from it I learned that some trouble had befallen my house; so on purpose I made my entry to the land by stealth.
595
Amphitryon
Well done; now, on your arrival, go salute your household altar,
and let your father’s halls behold your face. For soon the king will be here in person to drag away your wife and children and murder them, and to add me to the bloody list. But if you remain on the spot all will go well, and you will profit by this security; but do not rouse
600
your city before you have these matters well in train, my son.
605
Heracles
I will do so; your advice is good; I will enter my house. After my return at length from the sunless den of Hades and the maiden queen of hell, I will not neglect to greet first of all the gods beneath my roof.
Amphitryon
Did you really go to the house of Hades, my son?
610
Heracles
Yes, and brought to the light that three-headed monster.
Amphitryon
Did you conquer him in fight, or receive him from the goddess?
Heracles
In fight; for I had been lucky enough to witness the rites of the initiated.
Amphitryon
Is the monster really lodged in the house of Eurystheus?
Heracles
The grove of Demeter and the city of Hermione have him now.
615
Amphitryon
Eurystheus does not know that you have returned to the upper world?
Heracles
He does not; I came here first to learn your news.
Amphitryon
How is it you were so long beneath the earth?
Heracles
I stayed awhile attempting to bring back Theseus from Hades, father.
Amphitryon
Where is he? gone to his native land?
620
Heracles
He set out for Athens, glad to have escaped from the lower world. Come now, children, attend your father to the house. My entering in is fairer in your eyes, I think, than my going out. Oh, take heart,
and no more let the tears stream from your eyes; you too, my wife, collect your courage, cease from fear; leave go my robe; for I cannot fly away, nor have I any wish to flee from those I love. Ah! they do not loose their hold, but cling to my garments
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all the more; were you on the razor’s edge of danger? Well, I must lead them, taking them by the hand to draw them after me, my little boats, like a ship when towing; for I too do not reject the care of my children; here all mankind are equal; all love their children, both those of high estate
630
and those who are nothing; it is wealth that makes distinctions among them; some have, others want; but all the human race loves its offspring.
635
[Choral 1]
Dear to me is youth always, but old age is hanging over my head, a burden heavier
Chorus
than Aetna’s crags, casting its pall of gloom upon my eyes. Oh! never may the wealth of Asia’s kings tempt me
640
to barter for houses stored with gold my happy youth, which is in wealth and poverty alike most fair! But old age is gloomy and deadly;
645
I hate it; let it sink beneath the waves! Would it had never found its way to the homes and towns of mortal men, but were still drifting on for ever down the wind.
650
Had the gods shown discernment and wisdom, as mortals count these things, men would have won youth twice over, a visible mark of worth
655
among whomever found, and after death these would have run a double course once more to the sun-light, while the low born would have had a single portion of life;
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