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193

HERACLES

The following portions of the play are from the translation of Robert Browning, which is included in his poem Aristophanes' Apology.^[1]

THE FATE OF HERACLES

This ode is sung by the Chorus of Thebans in honor of Heracles, who they fear may have perished on his mission to Hades. They give an account of his former labors, wrought for Eurystheus, and lament that he is not at hand to deliver his father, his wife, and his children, who are even now to be slain by Lycus, the usurping king.

Even a dirge, can Phoibos suit see

In song to music jubilant

For all its sorrow : making shoot

His golden plectron o'er the lute,

Melodious ministrant. aw

And I, too, am of mind to raise,

Despite the imminence of doom,

A song of joy, outpour my praise

To him — what is it rumor says ? —

Whether — now buried in the ghostly gloom 395

Below ground — he was child of Zeus indeed,

Or mere Amphitruon's mortal seed —

To him I weave the wreath of song, his labor's meed.

For, is my hero perished in the feat ?

↑ Mr. Brooming preferred to transliterate Greek proper names instead of using the Latin forms, which are more familiar to English readers. Thus Phoibos is for Phoebus Apollo; Peneios for Peneus, the chief river of Thessaly; Haides for Hades, the place of departed spirits; Kentaur for Centaur, a fabulous race of beings, half horse and half man; Mukenai for Mycenae, the chief fortress and palace in Argolis; Kuknos for Cycnus; Kuklops for Cyclops, one of the race which was said to have built the "Cyclopean walls" of Tiryns; Herakles for Hercules; Eurustheus for Eurystheus, king of Tiryns, who was allowed by the gods to impose twelve tasks or "labors" on his mightier kinsman Hercules; Asklepios for Aesculapius; Plouton for Pluto; Amphitruun for Amphitryo.

[1] Mr. Brooming preferred to transliterate Greek proper names instead of using the Latin forms, which are more familiar to English readers. Thus Phoibos is for Phoebus Apollo; Peneios for Peneus, the chief river of Thessaly; Haides for Hades, the place of departed spirits; Kentaur for Centaur, a fabulous race of beings, half horse and half man; Mukenai for Mycenae, the chief fortress and palace in Argolis; Kuknos for Cycnus; Kuklops for Cyclops, one of the race which was said to have built the "Cyclopean walls" of Tiryns; Herakles for Hercules; Eurustheus for Eurystheus, king of Tiryns, who was allowed by the gods to impose twelve tasks or "labors" on his mightier kinsman Hercules; Asklepios for Aesculapius; Plouton for Pluto; Amphitruun for Amphitryo.

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