Stasimon 1
[Episode]
Did you not avow that she, on whom you look as if in ignorance,
Messenger
was Iole, the seed of Eurytus, your captive?
420
Lichas
To whom on earth did I say it? Who and where is the man who heard me say it and will be your witness?
Messenger
To many of our own citizens you said it. In the public gathering of Trachinians a great crowd heard this much, at least, from you.
they said they heard. But it does not amount to the same thing to tell one’s fancy and to give an accurate report.
425
Messenger
What do you mean, fancy! Did you not speak on your oath when you said that you were bringing her as a bride for Heracles?
Lichas
I? Bringing a bride? In the name of the gods, dear
mistress, tell me who on earth this stranger is?
430
Messenger
I am a man who heard from your own lips that the conquest of the whole city was due to desire for this girl and that the Lydian woman did not destroy it, but the passion which arose for the girl.
Lichas
Lady, send this creature away.
To babble with the insane is not the mark of a sensible man.
435
Deianeira
No, I implore you by Zeus whose strikes lightning down along the high glens of Oeta, do not rob me of a true report! Your words will not fall on the ears of a cruel woman, nor has she yet to learn the fate of humanity,
how by our nature we are often inconstant in our pleasures. He does not use good sense, then, who like a boxer opposes the blows of Eros. For Eros rules the gods as he pleases, and he rules me as well—that is certain. Why not another woman, just like me?
440
And so I am crazed indeed, if I blame my husband because that disease has seized him or because he was seized by this woman, his partner in a thing which is no shame to them, and no wrong to me. Impossible! If it was from him that you learned
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to lie, it was not a noble lesson. But if you are your own teacher in this, you will be seen as cruel when it is your wish to prove kind. No, tell me the whole truth, since to a free-born man the name of liar attaches like an ugly stain.
450
If your hope is to escape detection, that cannot come to pass: many are those whom you told and who will inform me. And if you are afraid, your fear is mistaken, since it is not learning the truth that would pain me. But to know it, what is terrible in that? Has
455
Heracles not all by himself already mated with a multitude of other women? And never yet has one of them come away with a harsh word or reproach from me, nor shall this girl, even if she should melt in her passion. Indeed, I felt a profound pity when I saw her because
460
her beauty has destroyed her life, and she, unfortunate one, has against her will devastated her fatherland and enslaved it.
Well, those things must go with the wind. But as for you, I tell you, be dishonest to others, but always speak the truth to me.
465
Chorus
Obey her good and kind advice, and hereafter you will neither have cause to complain of this lady, nor lack my thanks.
470
Lichas
Indeed, then, dear mistress. Since I see that you think as mortals should think and not without good judgment, I will tell you the whole truth, and not hide it.
Yes, it is just as this one says. That terrible longing for the girl long ago shot through Heracles, and for her sake the desolate Oechalia, her father’s land, was leveled by his spear. But he—I must say what is in his favor—
475
he never ordered me to conceal the fact and never denied it. Instead I, lady, fearing to wound your heart by such news, erred—if you regard this in any way an error.
Since, however, you now know the whole story,
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for his sake and for yours equally bear with the woman, and be willing that the gentle words which you spoke about her have been spoken unalterably. For though by the strength of his hands he is victorious in all else, Heracles has been utterly subdued by his passion for this girl.
485
Deianeira
My own thoughts move me to act as you advise. Rest assured that I will not earn another affliction for myself by waging a fruitless fight against the gods. But let us go into the house, so that you may carry him my messages and since gifts should be given in due recompense for gifts received,
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so that you may take these also. It would not be right that you should go back with empty hands, after coming with such a rich cargo. Exit Lichas, the Messenger and Deianeira into the house.
495
[Choral 1]
Great and mighty is the victory which the Cyprian queen always bears away. I bypass the tales of the gods,
Chorus
and do not narrate how she beguiled the son of Cronus, and Hades, the lord of darkness, or Poseidon, shaker of the earth. But, when this bride was to be won,
500
who were the massive rivals that entered the contest for her nuptials? Who stepped forward to the ordeal of battle full of blows and raising dust?
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One was a mighty river-god, the form of a bull, high-horned and four-legged,
