Stasimon 6
[Episode]
O Zeus, why have you shown such savage hate against your own son and plunged him in this sea of troubles?
Heracles
Aha! I am alive and breathing; and my eyes resume their function, opening on
the sky and earth and the sun’s darting beam; but how my senses reel! in what strange turmoil am I plunged! my fevered breath in quick spasmodic gasps escapes my lungs. How now? why am I lying here, my brawny chest and arms made fast with cables like a ship,
1090
beside a half-shattered piece of masonry, with corpses for my neighbors; while over the floor my bow and arrows are scattered, that once like trusty squires to my arm
1095
both kept me safe and were kept safe by me? Surely I have not come a second time to Hades’ halls, having just returned from there for Eurystheus? To Hades? From where? No, I do not see Sisyphus with his stone, or Pluto, or his queen, Demeter’s child.
1100
Surely I am distraught; where am I, so helpless? Ho, there! which of my friends is near or far to cure me in my perplexity? For I have no clear knowledge of things once familiar.
1105
Amphitryon
My aged friends, shall I approach the scene of my sorrow?
Chorus Leader
Yes, and let me go with you, not desert you in your trouble.
1110
Heracles
Father, why do you weep and veil your eyes, standing far from your beloved son?
Amphitryon
My child! mine still, for all your misery.
Heracles
Why, what is there so sad in my case that you weep?
Amphitryon
That which might make any of the gods weep, if he were to learn it.
1115
Heracles
A bold assertion that, but you are not yet explaining what has happened.
Amphitryon
Your own eyes see that, if by this time you are restored to your senses.
Heracles
Fill in your sketch if any change awaits my life.
Amphitryon
I will explain, if you are no longer mad as a fiend of hell.
Heracles
Oh! what suspicions these dark hints of yours again excite!
1120
Amphitryon
I am still doubtful whether you are in your sober senses.
Heracles
I have no recollection of being mad.
Amphitryon
Am I to loose my son, old friends, or what shall I do?
Heracles
Loose me, yes, and say who bound me; for I feel shame at this.
Amphitryon
Rest content with what you know of your woes; the rest forego.
1125
Heracles
No. for is silence sufficient to learn what I wish?
Amphitryon
O Zeus, do you behold these deeds proceeding from the throne of Hera?
Heracles
What! have I suffered something from her enmity?
Amphitryon
A truce to the goddess! attend to your own troubles.
Heracles
I am undone; you will tell me some mischance.
1130
Amphitryon
See here the corpses of your children.
Heracles
O horror! what sight is here? ah me!
Amphitryon
My son, against your children you have waged unnatural war.
