Page:Tragedies of Euripides (Way 1896) v2.djvu/161
By the Skironian Rocks Eurystheus' car. 860
He hath bound his hands with gyves, and hath returned
Bringing the crown of victory, that chief
So prosperous once: but by his fate this day
Clear warning to all men he publisheth
To envy not the seeming-fortunate, ere 865
He die, since fortune dureth but a day.
Chorus.
O Victory-wafter Zeus, now is it mine
To see a day from dark fear disenthralled!
Alkmena.
Zeus, late on mine affliction hast thou looked;
Yet thank I thee for all that thou hast wrought. 870
Now know I of a surety that my son
Dwelleth with Gods:—ere this I thought not so.
O children, now, yea now from trouble free,
And from Eurystheus, doomed to a dastard's death,
Free shall ye be, shall see your father's city, 875
And tread the lot of your inheritance,
And sacrifice to your fathers' Gods, from whom
Banned ye have known a wretched homeless life.
But for what veiled wise purpose Iolaus
Hath spared Eurystheus, that he slew him not, 880
Tell: for in our sight nothing wise is this
To capture foes, and not requite their wrong.
Servant.
Of thought for thee, that him thine eyes might see
Held in thy power, and subject to thine hand.
Sore loth was he whom 'neath the yoke he brought 885
Of strong constraint, for nowise he desired