Alcmena What means this mad resolve to leave me with my children undefended here?
Iolaus Men must fight; and thou must look to them.
Alcmena And what if thou art slain? what safety shall I find?
Iolaus Thy son’s surviving children will care for thee.
Alcmena Suppose they meet with some reverse? which Heaven forefend!
Iolaus These strangers will not give thee up, fear not.
Alcmena They are my last and only hope, I have no other.
Iolaus Zeus too, I feel sure, cares for thy sufferings.
Alcmena Ah! of Zeus will I never speak ill, but himself doth know, whether he is just to me.
Servant (of Hyllus) Lo! here thou seest a full coat of mail; make haste to case thyself therein; for the strife is nigh, and bitterly doth Ares loathe loiterers; but if thou fear the weight of the armour, go for the present without it, and in the ranks do on this gear; meantime will I carry it.
Iolaus Well said! keep the harness ready to my hand, put a spear within my grasp, and support me on the left side, guiding my steps.
Servant (of Hyllus) Am I to lead this warrior like a child?
Iolaus To save the omen, we must go without stumbling.
Servant (of Hyllus) Would thy power to act were equal to thy zeal!
Iolaus Hasten; I shall feel it grievously, if I am too late for the battle.
Servant (of Hyllus) ’Tis thou who art slow, not I, though thou fanciest thou art doing wonders.
Iolaus Dost not mark how swift my steps are hasting?
Servant (of Hyllus) I mark more seeming than reality in thy haste.
Iolaus Thou wilt tell a different tale when thou seest me there.
Servant (of Hyllus) What shall I see thee do? I wish thee all success, at any rate.
Iolaus Thou shalt see me smite some foeman through the shield.
Servant (of Hyllus) Perhaps, if ever we get there. I have my fears of that.
Iolaus Ah! would to Heaven that thou, mine arm, e’en as I remember thee in thy lusty youth, when with Heracles thou didst sack Sparta, couldst so champion me to-day! how I would put Eurystheus to flight! since he is too craven to wait the onslaught. For prosperity carries with it this error too a reputation for bravery; for we think the prosperous man a master of all knowledge.
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