Eksodos
Hyllus
I shall not suffer, since I will keep it. Yet so I pray.
1190
Heracles
Good, then do you know the summit of Oeta, Zeus’s sacred mountain?
Hyllus
I know it. I have often stood on that height to sacrifice.
Heracles
Then, you must carry my body there after raising it up in your own hands, aided by as many of our friends as you require;
and when you have cut many a branch from the deep-rooted oak and chopped down many a sturdy wild-olive, you must lay my body on them and with a flaming pine-torch burn it.
And let no tear of mourning show itself there.
1195
No, do this without laments or tears, if you are indeed my son. But if you fail to do this, even from the world below my curse and my wrath shall await you for ever.
1200
Hyllus
Ah, Father, what have you said? What you have done to me!
Heracles
I have spoken that which you must perform. If you refuse,
then get yourself some other father, and be called my son no longer!
1205
Hyllus
Ah, me! What deeds you call on me to do, Father—that I should become your murderer, polluted with your blood!
Heracles
Not so, in truth, but healer of my sufferings, sole physician of my pain!
Hyllus
And how, by inflaming your body, shall I heal it?
1210
Heracles
If your fear keeps you from this one task, at least perform the rest.
Hyllus
The service of carrying you will not be refused.
Heracles
And the heaping of the pyre which I have ordered?
Hyllus
Yes, except that I will not touch fire to it with my own hands.
All else will I do, and you will have no hindrance on my part.
1215
Heracles
Well, that much will be enough—yet add one small favor to your large benefits.
Hyllus
Even if it is tremendously large, it will be done.
Heracles
Do you know, then, the maiden, daughter of Eurytus?
Hyllus
You mean Iole, I would guess.
1220
Heracles
You know her. Just this is the command that I impose upon you, my son: when I am dead, if you wish to show your piety by remembrance of your oath to your father, make this woman your wife and do not disobey your father.
Let no other but you take her who has lain close at my side. You, my son, make that marriage-bond your own. Obey; for although you were obedient in great affairs, your disobedience in small ones cancels the gratitude already won.
1225
Hyllus
Ah, me, it is wrong to be angry with a sick man, but who could bear to see him have thoughts like these?
1230
Heracles
Your words show no willingness to do as I say.
Hyllus
Who on earth would, when she alone is to blame for my mother’s death, and for your present condition besides?
Who would choose to do so, unless he were infected by avenging fiends? It would be better, Father, that I also die, rather than live united with those whom I most detest!
1235
Heracles
The man will render no due respect, it seems, to my dying prayer. No, be sure that the curse of the gods
will await you for disobeying my commands.
1240
Hyllus
Ah, you will soon show, it seems, how diseased you are!
