Chorus Ah, unhappy Greece, what mourning do I foresee for her, if she is cheated of this man!
Hyllus Father, since your pause permits an answer, hear me, diseased though you are; I will ask you for no more than is my due. Give yourself to me in a mood not as harsh as that to which your heart is now stung. Otherwise you cannot learn in what circumstances you wrongly wish to triumph and wrongly show resentment.
Heracles Stop when you have said what it is you desire. In this pain of mine I understand none of your many riddles.
Hyllus I come to tell you of my mother—her present circumstances and how she erred unknowingly.
Heracles You corrupt thing! Have you indeed mentioned her name again, the name, “Mother, Murderess of Father,” in my hearing?
Hyllus Yes, for her condition is such that my silence shames me.
Heracles No, it does not shame you, when you consider her past crimes.
Hyllus You will not say so, at least in view of her deeds today.
Heracles Speak—but take care that you not be found corrupt.
Hyllus I will speak. She is just now dead, a new murder.
Heracles By whose hand? Your sinister words give a prophecy of wonder!
Hyllus She did it by her own hand, and no other’s.
Heracles Ah, no! Before she died by mine as she deserved!
Hyllus Even your rage would be deflected, if you would learn the whole of it.
Heracles Your tale begins strangely, but tell me what you mean.
Hyllus The sum is this: she did wrong, but with a good intent.
Heracles Did she do a good deed, corrupt traitor, when she killed your father?
Hyllus No, her plan was to apply a love-charm for your heart, when she saw your new marriage inside the house, but she missed her aim.
Heracles And what Trachinian is so potent a charmer?
Hyllus Nessus the Centaur persuaded her long ago to inflame your desire with such a potion.
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