Page:Tragedies of Euripides (Way 1896) v2.djvu/466

Men's benefactor and their mighty friend?

They cannot help, for Hera's might prevails.

Hellas will brook not this fool's death for thee.

Hearken, that I may wrestle in argument 1255
With thine admonishings. I will unfold
Why now, as heretofore, boots not to live.
First, I am his son, who, with blood-guilt stained
From murder of my mother's aged sire,
Wedded Alkmena who gave birth to me. 1260
When the foundation of the race is laid
In sin, needs must the issue be ill-starred.
And Zeus—whoe'er Zeus be—begat me foe
To Hera,—nay but, ancient, be not chafed,
For truer father thee I count than Zeus. 1265
When I was yet a suckling, Zeus's bride
Sent gorgon-glaring serpents secretly
Against my cradle, that I might be slain.
Soon as I gathered vesture of brawny flesh,
What boots to tell what labours I endured? 1270
What lions, what three-bodied Typhon-fiends,
Or giants, slew I not?—or with what host
Of fourfoot Centaurs fought not out the war?
The hound o'erswarmed with heads that severed grew,
The Hydra, killed I: throngs of toils beside 1275
Untold I wrought: I passed unto the dead