Epeisodion 3
Servant (of Hyllus)
All hail, ye children! Where is aged Iolaus? where the mother of your sire, absent from their place at this altar?
630
Iolaus
Here am I, so far as I can be present at all.
Servant (of Hyllus)
Why dost thou lie there? Why that downcast look?
Iolaus
There is come a sorrow on my house, whereby I am distressed.
Servant (of Hyllus)
Arise, lift up thy head.
635
Iolaus
I am old, and all my strength is gone.
Servant (of Hyllus)
But I come with tidings of great joy for thee.
Iolaus
Who art thou? Where have I met thee? I have no remembrance.
Servant (of Hyllus)
I am a vassal of Hyllus; dost not recognize me now?
Iolaus
Best of friends, art thou come to save us twain from hurt?
640
Servant (of Hyllus)
Assuredly; and moreover thou art lucky in the present case.
Iolaus
Alcmena, mother of a noble son, to thee I call! come forth, hear this welcome news. For long has anguish caused thee inwardly to waste, wondering if those,
who now are here, would ever come.
645
Alcmena
What means that shout, that echoes throughout the house? Hath there come yet a herald from Argos, O Iolaus, and is he treating thee with violence? Feeble is any strength of mine; yet thus much let me tell thee, stranger,
never, whilst I live, shalt thou drag them hence. Shouldst thou succeed, no more let me be thought the mother of that hero. And if thou lay a finger on them, thou wilt struggle to thy shame with two aged foes.
650
Iolaus
Courage, aged dame, fear not; not from Argos
is a herald come, with hostile messages.
655
Alcmena
Why then didst raise a cry, fear’s harbinger?
Iolaus
I called thee to come to me in front of this temple.
Alcmena
I know not what it means; who is this?
Iolaus
A messenger who says thy grandson cometh hither.
Alcmena
All hail to thee for these thy tidings! But why is he not here, where is he? if in this land he hath set foot. What hath happened to keep him from coming hither with thee, to cheer my heart?
660
Servant (of Hyllus)
He is posting the army he brought with him, and seeing it marshalled.
Alcmena
Then have I no concern herein.
665
Iolaus
Yes, thou hast; though it is my business to inquire into these matters.
Servant (of Hyllus)
What then wouldst thou learn of these events?
Iolaus
About how many allies has he with him?
Servant (of Hyllus)
A numerous force; I cannot otherwise describe the number.
Iolaus
The leaders of the Athenians know this, I suppose?
670
Servant (of Hyllus)
They do; already is their left wing set in array.
