Page:Tragedies of Euripides (Way 1896) v2.djvu/149

Friend, com'st thou our deliverer from bane? 640

Yea: therewithal thou art fortunate this day.

Alkmena, mother of a hero-son,
Come forth, give ear to these most welcome words;
For travailing long in spirit hast thou fainted
Lest these^[1] which now are come should ne'er return. 645

Enter Alkmena from the temple.

What means this outcry filling all the house?
How, hath a herald from their Argos come
Again to outrage thee? My strength is weakness;
Yet of this thing, O stranger, be assured,
Never, while I live, shalt thou hale these hence. 650
Else be I counted mother never more
Of Herakles! If thou lay hand on these,
With two old foes thou shalt inglorious strive.

Fear not, grey queen, nor quake: no herald he
From Argos cometh bearing hests of foes. 655

Why then didst raise a cry in-ushering fear?