Theseus Rise, unhappy man! you have had your fill of tears.
Heracles I cannot rise; my limbs are rooted here.
Theseus Yes, even the strong are overthrown by misfortunes.
Heracles Ah! Would I could become a stone upon this spot, oblivious of trouble.
Theseus Peace! give your hand to a friend and helper.
Heracles No, let me not wipe off the blood upon your robe.
Theseus Wipe it off and spare not; I will not refuse you.
Heracles Bereft of my own sons, I find you as a son to me.
Theseus Throw your arm about my neck; I will be your guide.
Heracles A pair of friends indeed, but one a man of sorrows. Ah! aged father, this is the kind of man to make a friend.
Amphitryon Blessed in her sons, the country that gave him birth!
Heracles Theseus, turn me back again to see my children.
Theseus What for? Do you think to find a drug in this to soothe your soul?
Heracles I long to do so, and would embrace my father.
Amphitryon Here am I, my son; your wish is no less dear to me.
Theseus Have you so short a memory for your troubles?
Heracles All that I endured before was easier to bear than this.
Theseus If anyone sees you play the woman, they will scoff.
Heracles Have I by living grown so abject in your sight? It was not so once, I think.
Theseus Yes, too much so; in your sickness you are not the glorious Heracles.
Heracles What about you? What kind of hero were you when in trouble in the world below?
Theseus I was worse than anyone as far as courage went.
Heracles How then can you say of me, that I am abased by my troubles?
Theseus Forward!
Heracles Farewell, my aged father!
Amphitryon Farewell to you, my son!
Heracles Bury my children as I said.
Amphitryon But who will bury me, my son?
Heracles I will.
Amphitryon When will you come?
Heracles After you have buried my children.
Amphitryon How?
Heracles I will fetch you from Thebes to Athens. But carry my children within, a grievous burden to the earth. And I, after ruining my house by deeds of shame, will follow as a little boat in the wake of Theseus, a total wreck. Whoever prefers wealth or might to the possession of good friends, thinks wrongly.
Chorus With grief and many a bitter tear we go our way, robbed of all we prized most dearly.
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