Of me. Thou who hast often conquered Jove,
The Thunderer, and him whose scepter dark
Holds sway within the gloomy underworld,
The king of countless throngs, the lord of Styx; 560
Whom angry Juno cannot quell: win thou
Alone this triumph over Hercules.
Nurse [returning with robe and charm ready]: The charm from its dark
hiding-place is brought,
And that fair robe upon whose cunning web
Thy maidens all have wrought with wearied hands.
Now bring the poisoned blood and let the robe 565
Drink in its magic power, while by my prayers
Will I the charm augment.
[Enter Lichas.]
But at the word
The faithful Lichas comes. Quick! hide the charm,
Lest by his mouth our plot may be revealed.
Deianira [to Lichas]: O Lichas, ever faithful to thy lord,
A name which mighty houses may not boast: 570
Take thou this garment woven by my hands,
While Hercules was wandering o'er the earth,
Or, spent with wine, was holding in his arms
The Lydian queen, or calling Iole.
And yet, perchance, I still may turn his heart
To me again by wifely service. Thus
Have evil men full often been reclaimed. 575
Before my husband puts this tunic on,
Bid him burn incense and appease the gods,
His rough locks wreathed with hoary poplar leaves.
[Lichas takes the robe and departs upon his mission.]
I will myself within the palace go
And pray the mother of relentless love. 580
[To her Aetolian attendants.]
Do ye, who from my father's house have come,
Bewail the sad misfortunes of your queen.
[Exit.]
Chorus of Aeolian women: We weep for thee, O lady dear,
And for thy couch dishonored—we,
The comrades of thy earliest years,
