Page:Tragedies of Euripides (Way 1896) v2.djvu/163
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THE CHILDREN OF HERAKLES.
107
And to Hêbê with love-links he bound him,—
Zeus' son to Zeus' daughter,—where glisten
Heaven's halls with gold-sheen.
(Ant. 2)
How oft be life's strands intertwisted!
920 Of Athena, men say,
Was their sire in hard emprise assisted;
And the city this day,
And the folk of that Goddess hath saved them,
And hath curbed him whose blood-lust had craved them,
Whose tyranny fain had enslaved them.
In my cause never pride be enlisted
Insatiate for prey.
Zeus' son to Zeus' daughter,—where glisten
Heaven's halls with gold-sheen.
(Ant. 2)
How oft be life's strands intertwisted!
920 Of Athena, men say,
Was their sire in hard emprise assisted;
And the city this day,
And the folk of that Goddess hath saved them,
And hath curbed him whose blood-lust had craved them,
Whose tyranny fain had enslaved them.
In my cause never pride be enlisted
Insatiate for prey.
Enter messenger with guards leading Eurystheus in chains.
Messenger.
O queen, thou seest,—yet shall it be told,—
Leading Eurystheus unto thee we come,
A sight unhoped, which ne'er he looked should hap, 930
Who ne'er had thought to fall into thine hands,
When from Mycenæ with vast shield-essay
He marched, his thoughts high-soaring o'er his fate,
To smite our Athens. But our destinies
Fortune reversed, and changed them, his for ours. 935
Hyllus I left and valiant Iolaus
Raising the victory-trophy unto Zeus.
But me they charge to bring this man to thee,
Being fain to glad thine heart: for 'tis most sweet
To see a foe triumphant once brought low. 940
Alkmena.
Loathed wretch, art come? Justice at last hath trapped thee!