THETRACHINIAE
　　bySophoclestransalatedbyR。C。JebbCHARACTERSINTHEPLAY
　　DEIANEIRA
　　NURSE
　　HYLLUS，sonofHERACLESandDEIANEIRA
　　MESSENGER
　　LICHAS，theheraldofHERACLES
　　HERACLES
　　ANOLDMAN
　　CHORUSOFTRACHINIANMAIDENS
　　THETRACHINIAE
　　（SCENE：—AtTrachis，beforethehouseofHERACLES。
　　EnterDEIANEIRAfromthehouse，accompaniedbytheNURSE。）
　　DEIANEIRA
　　THEREisasayingamongmen，putforthofold，thatthoucanstnotrightlyjudgewhetheramortal’slotisgoodorevil，erehedie。
　　ButI，evenbeforeIhavepassedtotheworldofdeath，knowwellthatmylifeissorrowfulandbitter；I，whointhehouseofmyfatherOeneus，whileyetIdweltatPleuron，hadsuchfearofbridalsasnevervexedanymaidenofAetolia。Formywooerwasariver—god，Achelous，whointhreeshapeswaseveraskingmefrommysire，—comingnowasabullinbodilyform，nowasserpentwithsheenycoils，nowwithtrunkofmanandfrontofox，whilefromashaggybeardthestreamsoffountain—waterflowedabroad。Withthefearofsuchasuitorbeforemineeyes，IwasalwaysprayinginmywretchednessthatImightdie，oreverIshouldcomeneartosuchabed。
　　Butatlast，tomyjoy，cametheglorioussonofZeusandAlcmena；
　　whodosedwithhimincombat，anddeliveredme。Howthefightwaswaged，Icannotclearlytell，Iknownot；iftherebeanyonewhowatchedthatsightwithoutterror，suchmightspeak：I，asIsatthere，wasdistraughtwithdread，lestbeautyshouldbringmesorrowatthelast。ButfinallytheZeusofbattlesordainedwell，—ifwellindeeditbe：forsinceIhavebeenjoinedtoHeraclesashischosenbride，fearafterfearhathhauntedmeonhisaccount；onenightbringsatrouble，andthenextnight，inturn，drivesitout。Andthenchildrenwereborntous；whomhehasseenonlyasthehusbandmanseeshisdistantfield，whichhevisitsatseedtime，andonceagainatharvest。Suchwasthelifethatkepthimjourneyingtoandfro，intheserviceofacertainmaster。
　　Butnow，whenhehathrisenabovethosetrials，—nowitisthatmyanguishissorest。EversinceheslewthevaliantIphitus，wehavebeendwellinghereinTrachis，exilesfromourhome，andtheguestsofstranger；butwhereheis，nooneknows；Ionlyknowthatheisgone，andhathpiercedmyheartwithcruelpangsforhim。Iamalmostsurethatsomeevilhathbefallenhim；itisnoshortspacethathathpassed，buttenlongmonths，andthenfivemore，—andstillnomessagefromhim。Yes，therehasbeensomedreadmischance；—witnessthattabletwhichheleftwithmeerehewentforth：oftdoIpraytothegodsthatImaynothavereceiveditformysorrow。
　　NURSE
　　Deianeira，mymistress，manyatimehaveImarkedthybittertearsandlamentations，asthoubewailedstthegoingforthofHeracles；
　　butnow，—ifitbemeettoschoolthefree—bornwiththecounselsofaslave，andifImustsaywhatbehovesthee，—why，whenthouartsorichinsons，dostthousendnooneofthemtoseekthylord；—Hyllus，beforeall，whomightwellgoonthaterrand，ifhecaredthatthereshouldbetidingsofhisfather’swelfare？Lo！therehecomes，speedingtowardsthehousewithtimelystep；if，then，thoudeemestthatIspeakinseason，thoucanstuseatoncemycounsel，andtheman。
　　（HYLLUScomesinfromtheside。）
　　DEIANEIRA
　　Mychild，myson，wisewordsmayfall，itseems，fromhumblelips；
　　thiswomanisaslave，buthathspokeninthespiritofthefree。
　　HYLLUS
　　How，mother？Tellme，ifitmaybetold。
　　DEIANEIRA
　　Itbringstheeshame，shesaith，that，whenthyfatherhathbeensolongastranger，thouhastnotsoughttolearnwhereheis。
　　HYLLUS
　　Nay，Iknow，—ifrumourcanbetrusted。
　　DEIANEIRA
　　Andinwhatregion，mychild，dothrumourplacehim？
　　HYLLUS
　　Lastyear，theysay，throughallthemonths，hetoiledasbondmantoLydianwoman。
　　DEIANEIRA
　　Ifheborethat，thennotidingscansurprise。
　　HYLLUS
　　Well，hehasbeendeliveredfromthat，asIhear。
　　DEIANEIRA
　　Where，then，ishereportedtobenow，—aliveordead？
　　HYLLUS
　　Heiswagingorplanningawar，theysay，uponEuboea，therealmofEurytus。
　　DEIANEIRA
　　Knowestthou，myson，thathehathleftwithmesureoraclestouchingthatland？
　　HYLLUS
　　Whatarethey，mother？Iknownotwhereofthouspeakest。
　　DEIANEIRA
　　Thateitherheshallmeethisdeath，or，havingachievedthistask，shallhaverestthenceforth，forallhisdaystocome。
　　So，mychild，whenhisfateisthustremblinginthescale，wiltthounotgotosuccourhim？Forwearesaved，ifhefindsafety，orweperishwithhim。
　　HYLLUS
　　Ay，Iwillgo，mymother；and，hadIknowntheimportoftheseprophecies，Ihadbeentherelongsince；but，asitwas，myfather’swontedfortunesufferedmenottofeelfearforhim，ortobeanxiousovermuch。NowthatIhavetheknowledge，Iwillsparenopainstolearnthewholetruthinthismatter。
　　DEIANEIRA
　　Go，then，myson；betheseekerne’ersolate，heisrewardedifhelearntidingsofjoy。
　　（HYLLUSdepartsastheCHORUSOFTRACHINIANMAIDENSenters。Theyarefree—bornyoungwomenofTrachiswhoarefriendsandconfidantesofDEIANEIRA。Sheremainsduringtheiropeningchoralsong。）
　　CHORUS（singing）
　　strophe1
　　ThouwhomNightbringsforthatthemomentwhensheisdespoiledofherstarrycrown，andlaystorestinthysplendour，tellme，praythee，OSun—god，tellmewhereabidesAlcmena’sson？Thougloriouslordofflashinglight，say，ishethreadingthestraitsofthesea，orhathhefoundanabodeoneithercontinent？Speak，thouwhoseestasnoneelsecansee！
　　antistrophe1
　　ForDeianeira，asIhear，hatheveranachingheart；she，thebattle—prizeofold，isnowlikesomebirdlornofitsmate；shecanneverlullheryearning，norstayhertears；hauntedbyasleeplessfearforherabsentlord，shepinesonheranxious，widowedcouch，miserableinherforebodingofmischance。
　　strophe2
　　Asonemayseebillowafterbillowdrivenoverthewidedeepbythetirelesssouth—windorthenorth，sothetroubleofhislife，stormyastheCretansea，nowwhirlsbackthesonofCadmus，nowliftshimtohonour。Butsomegodeversaveshimfromthehouseofdeath，andsuffershimnottofail。
　　antistrophe2
　　Lady，Ipraisenotthisthymood；withallreverencewillIspeak，yetinreproof。Thoudostnotwell，Isay，tokillfairhopebyfretting；rememberthatthesonofCronushimself，theall—disposingking，hathnotappointedapainlesslotformortals。Sorrowandjoycomeroundtoall，astheBearmovesinhiscirclingpaths。
　　epodeYea，starrynightabidesnotwithmen，nortribulation，norwealth；inamomentitisgonefromus，andanotherhathhisturnofgladness，andofbereavement。SowouldIwishtheealso，theQueen，tokeepthatprospecteverinthythoughts；forwhenhathZeusbeenfoundsocarelessofhischildren？
　　DEIANEIRA
　　Yehaveheardofmytrouble，Ithink，andthathathbroughtyouhere；buttheanguishwhichconsumesmyheart—yearestrangerstothat；andnevermayyelearnitbysuffering！Yes，thetenderplantgrowsinthoseshelteredregionsofitsown！andtheSun—god’sheatvexesitnot，norrain，noranywind；butitrejoicesinitssweet，untroubledbeing，tilsuchtimeasthemaideniscalledawife，andfindsherportionofanxiousthoughtsinthenight，broodingondangertohusbandortochildren。Suchanonecouldunderstandtheburdenofmycares；shecouldjudgethembyherown。
　　Well，Ihavehadmanyasorrowtoweepforerenow；butIamgoingtospeakofonemoregrievousthanthemall。
　　WhenHeraclesmylordwasgoingfromhomeonhislastjourney，heleftinthehouseanancienttablet，inscribedwithtokenswhichhehadneverbroughthimselftoexplaintomebefore，manyasweretheordealstowhichhehadgoneforth。Hehadalwaysdepartedasiftoconquer，nottodie。Butnow，asifhewereadoomedman，hetoldmewhatportionofhissubstanceIwastotakeformydower，andhowhewouldhavehissonssharetheirfather’slandamongstthem。Andhefixedthetime；sayingthat，whenayearandthreemonthsshouldhavepassedsincehehadleftthecountry，thenhewasfatedtodie；
　　or，ifheshouldhavesurvivedthatterm，tolivethenceforthanuntroubledlife。
　　Such，hesaid，wasthedoomordainedbythegodstobeaccomplishedinthetoilsofHeracles；astheancientoakatDodonahadspokenofyore，bythemouthofthetwoPeleiades。Andthisistheprecisemomentwhenthefulfilmentofthatwordbecomesdue；sothatI
　　startupfromsweetslumber，myfriends，strickenwithterroratthethoughtthatImustremainwidowedofthenoblestamongmen。
　　LEADEROFTHECHORUS
　　Hush—nomoreill—omenedwords；Iseeamanapproaching，whowearsawreath，asifforjoyoustidings。
　　（AMESSENGERenters。）
　　MESSENGER
　　QueenDeianeira，Ishallbethefirstofmessengerstofreetheefromfear。KnowthatAlcmena’ssonlivesandtriumphs，andfrombattlebringsthefirst—fruitstothegodsofthisland。
　　DEIANEIRA
　　Whatnewsisthis，oldman，thatthouhasttoldme？
　　MESSENGER
　　Thatthylord，admiredofall，willsooncometothyhouse，restoredtotheeinhisvictoriousmight。
　　DEIANEIRA
　　Whatcitizenorstrangerhathtoldtheethis？
　　MESSENGER
　　Inthemeadow，summerhauntofoxen，Lichastheheraldisproclaimingittomany：fromhimIheardit，andflewhither，thatI
　　mightbethefirsttogivetheethesetidings，andsomightreapsomeguerdonfromthee，andwinthygrace。
　　DEIANEIRA
　　Andwhyishenothere，ifhebringsgoodnews？
　　MESSENGER
　　Histask，lady，isnoeasyone；alltheMalianfolkhavethrongedaroundhimwithquestions，andhecannotmoveforward：eachandallarebentonlearningwhattheydesire，andwillnotreleasehimuntiltheyaresatisfied。Thustheireagernessdetainshimagainsthiswill；butthoushaltpresentlyseehimfacetoface。
　　DEIANEIRA
　　OZeus，whorulestthemeadsofOeta，sacredfromthescythe，atlast，thoughlate，thouhastgivenusjoy！Upliftyourvoices，yewomenwithinthehouseandyebeyondourgates，sincenowwearegladdenedbythelightofthismessage，thathathrisenonusbeyondmyhope！
　　LEADEROFONESEMI—CHORUS（singing）
　　Letthemaidensraiseajoyousstrainforthehouse，withsongsoftriumphatthehearth；and，amidstthem，lettheshoutofthemengoupwithoneaccordforApolloofthebrightquiver，ourDefender！
　　Andatthesametime，yemaidens，liftupapaean，cryaloudtohissister，theOrtygianArtemis，smiterofdeer，goddessofthetwofoldtorch，andtotheNymphsherneighbours！
　　LEADEROFOTHERSEMI—CHORUS
　　Myspiritsoars；Iwillnotrejectthewooingoftheflute。—O
　　thousovereignofmysoul！Lo，theivy’sspellbeginstoworkuponme！
　　Euoe！—evennowitmovesmetowhirlintheswiftdanceofBachanals！
　　CHORUS
　　Praise，praiseuntotheHealer！
　　LEADEROFWHOLECHORUS
　　See，dearlady，see！Behold，thesetidingsaretakingshapebeforethygaze。
　　DEIANEIRA
　　Iseeit，dearmaidens；mywatchingeyeshadnotfailedtonoteyoncompany。（EnterLICHAS，followedbyCaptiveMaidens。
　　ConspicuousamongthemisIOLE。）—Allhailtotheherald，whosecominghathbeensolongdelayed！—ifindeedthoubringestaughtthatcangivejoy。
　　LICHAS
　　Wearehappyinourreturn，andhappyinthygreeting，lady，whichbefitsthedeedachieved；forwhenamanhathfairfortune，heneedsmustwingoodwelcome。
　　DEIANEIRA
　　Obestoffriends，tellmefirstwhatfirstIwouldknow，—shallI
　　receiveHeraclesalive？
　　LICHAS
　　I，certainly，lefthimaliveandwell，—invigoroushealth，unburdenedbydisease。
　　DEIANEIRA
　　Where，tellme—athome，oronforeignsoil？
　　LICHAS
　　ThereisaheadlandofEuboea，wheretoCenaeanZeusheconsecratesaltars，andthetributeoffruitfulground。
　　DEIANEIRA
　　Inpaymentofavow，oratthebiddingofanoracle？
　　LICHAS
　　Foravow，madewhenhewasseekingtoconqueranddespoilthecountryofthesewomenwhoarebeforethee。
　　DEIANEIRA
　　Andthese—whoarethey，Ipraythee，andwhosedaughters？Theydeservepity，unlesstheirplightdeceivesme。
　　LICHAS
　　Thesearecaptiveswhomhechoseoutforhimselfandforthegods，whenhesackedthecityofEurytus。
　　DEIANEIRA
　　Wasitthewaragainstthatcitywhichkepthimawaysolong，beyondallforecast，pastallcountofdays？
　　LICHAS
　　Notso：thegreaterpartofthetimehewasdetainedinLydia，—nofreeman，ashedeclares，butsoldintobondage。Nooffenceshouldattendontheword，lady，whenthedeedisfoundtobeofZeus。Sohepassedawholeyear，ashehimselfavows，inthraldomtoOmphalethebarbarian。Andsostungwashebythatreproach，heboundhimselfbyasolemnoaththathewouldonedayenslave，withwifeandchild，themanwhohadbroughtthatcalamityuponhim。Nordidhespeakthewordinvain；but，whenhebadbeenpurged，gatheredanalienhost，andwentagainstthecityofEurytus。Thatman，hesaid，aloneofmortals，hadashareincausinghismisfortune。ForwhenHeracles，anoldfriend，cametohishouseandhearth，Eurytusheapedonhimthetauntsofabittertongueandspitefulsoul，—
　　saying，’Thouhastunerringarrowsinthyhands，andyetmysonssurpasstheeinthetrialofarchery’；’Thouartaslave，’hecried，’afreeman’sbrokenthrall’：andatabanquet，whenhisguestwasfullofwine，hethrusthimfromhisdoors。
　　Wroththereat，whenafterwardIphituscametothehillofTiryns，insearchforhorsesthathadstrayed，Heraclesseizedamomentwhentheman’swanderingthoughtswentnotwithhiswanderinggaze，andhurledhimfromatower—likesummit。Butinangeratthatdeed，Zeusourlord，Olympiansireofall，senthimforthintobondage，andsparednot，because，thisonce，hehadtakenalifebyguile。Hadhewreakedhisvengeanceopenly，Zeuswouldsurelyhavepardonedhimtherighteoustriumph；forthegods，too，lovenotinsolence。
　　Sothosemen，whowaxedsoproudwithbitterspeech，arethemselvesinthemansionsofthedead，allofthem，andtheircityisenslaved；whilethewomenwhomthoubeholdest，fallenfromhappinesstomisery，comeheretothee；forsuchwasthylord’scommand，whichI，hisfaithfulservant，perform。Hehimself，thoumayestbesure，—sosoonasheshallhaveofferedholysacrificeforhisvictorytoZeusfromwhomhesprang，—willbewiththee。Afterallthefairtidingsthathavebeentold，this，indeed，isthesweetestwordtohear。
　　LEADEROFTHECHORUS
　　Now，OQueen，thyjoyisassured；partiswiththee，andthouhastpromiseoftherest。
　　DEIANEIRA
　　Yea，haveInotthefullestreasontorejoiceatthesetidingsofmylord’shappyfortune？Tosuchfortune，suchjoymustneedsrespond。Andyetaprudentmindcanseeroomformisgivinglesthewhoprospersshouldonedaysufferreverse。Astrangepityhathcomeoverme，friends，atthesightoftheseill—fatedexiles，homelessandfatherlessinaforeignland；oncethedaughters，perchance，offree—bornsires，butnowdoomedtothelifeofslaves。OZeus，whoturnestthetideofbattle，nevermayIseechildofminethusvisitedbythyhand；nay，ifsuchvisitationistobe，mayitnotfallwhileDeianeiralives！SuchdreaddoIfeel，beholdingthese。
　　（ToIOLE）Ah，haplessgirl，say，whoartthou？Amaiden，oramother？Tojudgebythineaspect，aninnocentmaiden，andofanoblerace。Lichas，whosedaughteristhisstranger？Whoishermother，whohersire？Speak，Ipityhermorethanalltherest，whenI
　　beholdher；asshealoneshowsduefeelingforherplight。
　　LICHAS
　　HowshouldIknow？Whyshould’stthouaskme？Perchancetheoff，springofnotthemeanestinyonderland。
　　DEIANEIRA
　　Canshebeofroyalrace？HadEurytusadaughter？
　　LICHAS
　　Iknownot；indeed，Iaskednotmanyquestions。
　　DEIANEIRA
　　Andthouhastnotheardhernamefromanyofhercompanions？
　　LICHAS
　　No，indeed，Iwentthroughmytaskinsilence。
　　DEIANEIRA
　　Unhappygirl，letme，atleast，hearitfromthineownmouth。Itisindeeddistressingnottoknowthyname。
　　（IOLEmaintainshersilence。）
　　LICHAS
　　Itwillbeunlikeherformerbehaviour，then，Icantellthee，ifsheopensherlips：forshehathnotutteredoneword，buthatheverbeentravailingwiththeburdenofhersorrow，andweepingbitterly，poorgirl，sincesheleftherwind—swepthome。Suchastateisgrievousforherself，butclaimsourforbearance。
　　DEIANEIRA
　　Thenletherbeleftinpeace，andpassunderourroofasshewishes；herpresentwoesmustnotbecrownedwithfreshpainsatmyhands；shehathenoughalready。—Nowletusallgoin，thatthoumayeststartspeedilyonthyjourney，whileImakeallthingsreadyinthehouse。
　　（LICHASleadsthecaptivesintothehouse。DEIANEIRAstartstofollowthem，buttheMESSENGER，whohasbeenpresentduringtheentirescene，detainsher。Hespeaksashemovesnearertoher。）
　　MESSENGER
　　Ay，butfirsttarryhereabriefspace，thatthoumayestlearn，apartfromyonderfolk，whomthouarttakingtothyhearth，andmayestgaintheneedfulknowledgeofthingswhichhavenotbeentoldtothee。
　　OftheseIaminfullpossession。
　　DEIANEIRA
　　Whatmeansthis？Whywouldestthoustaymydeparture？
　　MESSENGER
　　Pauseandlisten。Myformerstorywasworththyhearing，andsowillthisonebe，methinks。
　　DEIANEIRA
　　ShallIcallthoseothersback？Orwiltthouspeakbeforemeandthesemaidens？
　　MESSENGER
　　TotheeandtheseIcanspeakfreely；nevermindtheothers。
　　DEIANEIRA
　　Well，theyaregone；—sothystorycanproceed。
　　MESSENGER
　　Yondermanwasnotspeakingthestraight—forwardtruthinaughtthathehasjusttold。Hehasgivenfalsetidingsnow，orelsehisformerreportwasdishonest。
　　DEIANEIRA
　　Howsayestthou？Explainthywholedriftclearly；thusfar，thywordsareriddlestome。
　　MESSENGER
　　Iheardthismandeclare，beforemanywitnesses，thatforthismaiden’ssakeHeraclesoverthrewEurytusandtheproudtowersofOechalia；Love，aloneofthegods，wroughtonhimtodothosedeedsofarms，—notthetoilsomeservitudetoOmphaleinLydia，northedeathtowhichIphituswashurled。ButnowtheheraldhasthrustLoveoutofsight，andtellsdifferenttale。
　　Well，whenhecouldnotpersuadehersiretogivehimthemaidenforhisparamour，hedevisedsomepettycomplaintasapretext，andmadewaruponherland，—thatinwhich，ashesaid，thisEurytusboresway，—andslewtheprinceherfather，andsackedhercity。Andnow，asthouseest，hecomessendinghertothishousenotincarelessfashion，lady，norlikeslave：—no，dreamnotofthat，—itisnotlikely，ifhisheartiskindledwithdesire。
　　Iresolved，therefore，OQueen，totelltheeallthatIhadheardfromyonderman。Manyotherswerelisteningtoit，asIwas，inthepublicplacewheretheTrachinianswereassembled；andtheycanconvicthim。Ifmywordsareunwelcome，Iamgrieved；butneverthelessIhavespokenoutthetruth。
　　DEIANEIRA
　　Ahmeunhappy！InwhatplightdoIstand？Whatsecretbanehavereceivedbeneathmyroof？HaplessthatIam！Isshenameless，then，asherconvoysware？
　　MESSENGER
　　Nay，illustriousbynameasbybirth；sheisthedaughterofEurytus，andwasoncecalledIole；sheofwhoseparentageLichascouldsaynothing，because，forsooth，heaskednoquestions。
　　LEADEROFTHECHORUS
　　Accursed，aboveotherevil—doers，bethemanwhomdeedsoftreacherydishonour！
　　DEIANEIRA
　　Ah，maidens，whatamItodo？Theselatesttidingshavebewilderedme！
　　LEADER
　　GoandinquirefromLichas；perchancehewilltellthetruth，ifthouconstrainhimtoanswer。
　　DEIANEIRA
　　Well，Iwillgo；thycounselisnotamiss。
　　MESSENGER
　　AndI，shallIwaithere？Orwhatisthypleasure？
　　DEIANEIRA
　　Remain；—herehecomesfromthehouseofhisownaccord，withoutsummonsfromme。
　　（EnterLICHAS）
　　LICHAS
　　Lady，whatmessageshallIbeartoHeracles？Givemethycommands，for，asthouseest，Iamgoing。
　　DEIANEIRA
　　Howhastilythouartrushingaway，whenthyvisithadbeensolongdelayed，—beforewehavehadtimeforfurthertalk。
　　LICHAS
　　Nay，iftherebeaughtthatthouwould’stask，Iamatthyservice。
　　DEIANEIRA
　　Wiltthouindeedgivemethehonesttruth？
　　LICHAS
　　Yes，begreatZeusmywitness，—inanythingthatIknow，DEIANEIRA
　　Whoisthewoman，then，whomthouhastbrought？
　　LICHAS
　　SheisEuboean；butofwhatbirth，Icannotsay。
　　MESSENGER
　　Sirrah，lookatme：—towhomartthouspeaking，think’stthou？
　　LICHAS
　　Andthou—whatdostthoumeanbysuchaquestion？
　　MESSENGER
　　Deigntoanswerme，ifthoucomprehendest。
　　LICHAS
　　TotheroyalDeianeira，unlessmineeyesdeceiveme，—daughterofOeneus，wifeofHeracles，andmyqueen。
　　MESSENGER
　　TheverywordthatIwishedtohearfromthee：—thousayestthatsheisthyqueen？
　　LICHAS
　　Yes，asindutybound。
　　MESSENGER
　　Well，then，whatartthoupreparedtosuffer，iffoundguiltyoffailinginthatduty？
　　LICHAS
　　Failinginduty？Whatdarksayingisthis？
　　MESSENGER
　　’Tisnone；thedarkestwordsarethineown。
　　LICHAS
　　Iwillgo，Iwasfoolishtoheartheesolong。
　　MESSENGER
　　No，nottillthouhastansweredabriefquestion。
　　LICHAS
　　Askwhatthouwilt；thouartnottaciturn。
　　MESSENGER
　　Thatcaptive，whomthouhastbroughthome—thouknowestwhommean？
　　LICHAS
　　Yes；butwhydostthouask？
　　MESSENGER
　　Well，saidstthounotthatthyprisoner—she，onwhomthygazenowturnssovacantly—wasIole，daughterofEurytus？
　　LICHAS
　　Saidittowhom？Whoandwhereisthemanthatwillbethywitnesstohearingthisfromme？
　　MESSENGER
　　Tomanyofourownfolkthousaidstit：inthepublicgatheringofTrachinians，agreatcrowdheardthusmuchfromthee。
　　LICHAS
　　Ay—saidtheyheard—but’tisonethingtoreportafancy，andanothertomakethestorygood。
　　MESSENGER
　　Afancy！DidstthounotsayonthineoaththatthouwastbringingherusabrideforHeracles？
　　LICHAS
　　I？bringingabride？—Inthenameofthegods，dearmistress，tellmewhothisstrangermaybe？
　　MESSENGER
　　Onewhoheardfromthineownlipsthattheconquestofthewholecitywasduetoloveforthisgirl：theLydianwomanwasnotitsdestroyer，butthepassionwhichthismaidhaskindled。
　　LICHAS
　　Lady，letthisfellowwithdraw：topratewiththebrainsickbefitsnotsaneman。
　　DEIANEIRA
　　Nay，IimploretheebyZeuswhoselightningsgoforthoverthehighglensofOeta，donotcheatmeofthetruth！Forshetowhomthouwiltspeakisnotungenerous，norhathsheyettolearnthatthehumanheartisinconstanttoitsjoys。Theyarenotwise，then，whostandforthtobuffetagainstLove；forLoverulesthegodsashewill，andme；andwhynotanotherwoman，suchasIam？SoIammadindeed，ifIblamemyhusband，becausethatdistemperhathseizedhim；orthiswoman，hispartnerinathingwhichisnoshametothem，andnowrongtome。Impossible！No；ifhetaughttheetospeakfalsely，’tisnotanoblelessonthatthouartlearning；orifthouartthineownteacherinthis，thouwiltbefoundcruelwhenitisthywishtoprovekind。Nay，tellmethewholetruth。Toafree—bornman，thenameofliarcleavesasadeadlybrand。Ifthyhopeistoescapedetection，that，too，isvain；therearemanytowhomthouhastspoken，whowilltellme。
　　Andifthouartafraid，thyfearismistaken。Nottolearnthetruth，—that，indeed，wouldpainme；buttoknowit—whatisthereterribleinthat？HathnotHeraclesweddedotherserenow，—ay，morethanlivingman，—andnooneofthemhathbadharshwordortauntfromme；norshallthisgirl，thoughherwholebeingshouldbeabsorbedinherpassion；forindeedIfeltaprofoundpitywhenIbeheldher，becauseherbeautyhathwreckedherlife，andshe，haplessone，allinnocent，hathbroughtherfatherlandtoruinandtobondage。
　　Well，thosethingsmustgowithwindandstream。—TotheeI
　　say，—deceivewhomthouwilt，buteverspeakthetruthtome。
　　LEADER
　　Hearkentohergoodcounsel，andhereafterthoushalthavenocausetocomplainofthislady；ourthanks，too，willbethine。
　　LICHAS
　　Nay，then，dearmistress，—sinceIseethatthouthinkestasmortalsshouldthink，andcanstallowforweakness，—Iwilltelltheethewholetruth，andhideitnot。Yes，itisevenasyonmansaith。ThisgirlinspiredthatovermasteringlovewhichlongagosmotethroughthesoulofHeracles；forthisgirl’ssakethedesolateOechalia，herhome，wasmadethepreyofhisspear。Andhe，—itisjusttohimtosayso，—neverdeniedthis，—nevertoldmetoconcealit。ButI，lady，fearingtowoundthyheartbysuchtidings，havesinned，ifthoucountthisinanysortasin。
　　Now，however，thatthouknowestthewholestory，forbothyoursakes，—forhis，andnotlessforthineown，—bearwiththewoman，andbecontentthatthewordswhichthouhastspokenregardinghershouldbindtheestill。Forhe，whosestrengthisvictoriousinallelse，hathbeenutterlyvanquishedbyhispassionforthisgirl。
　　DEIANEIRA
　　Indeed，mineownthoughtsmovemetoactthus。Trustme，Iwillnotaddanewafflictiontomyburdensbywagingafruitlessfightagainstthegods。
　　Butletusgointothehouse，thatthoumayestreceivemymessages；and，sincegiftsshouldbemeetlyrecompensedwithgifts，—
　　thatthoumayesttakethesealso。Itisnotrightthatthoushouldestgobackwithemptyhands，aftercomingwithsuchagoodlytrain。
　　（ExitMESSENGER，asLICHASandDEIANEIRAgointothehouse。）
　　CHORUS（singing）
　　stropheGreatandmightyisthevictorywhichtheCyprianqueeneverbearsaway。Istaynotnowtospeakofthegods；IsparetotellhowshebeguiledthesonofCronus，andHades，thelordofdarkness，orPoseidon，shakeroftheearth。
　　But，whenthisbridewastobewon，whowerethevaliantrivalsthatenteredthecontestforherhand？Whowentforthtotheordealofbattle，tothefierceblowsandtheblindingdust？
　　antistropheOnewasamightyriver—god，thedreadformofahornedandfour—leggedbull，Achelous，fromOeniadae：theothercamefromThebe，deartoBacchus，withcurvedbow，andspears，andbrandishedclub，thesonofZeus：whothenmetincombat，faintowinabride：
　　andtheCypriangoddessofnuptialjoywastherewiththem，soleumpireoftheirstrife。
　　epodeThenwasthereclatteroffistsandclangofbow，andthenoiseofbull’shornstherewith；thenwerethereclose—lockedgrapplings，anddeadlyblowsfromtheforehead，andlouddeepcriesfromboth。
　　Meanwhile，she，inherdelicatebeauty，satonthesideofahillthatcouldbeseenafar，awaitingthehusbandthatshouldbehers。
　　Sothebattlerages，asIhavetold；butthefairbridewhoistheprizeofthestrifeabidestheendinpiteousanguish。Andsuddenlysheispartedfromhermother，aswhenaheiferistakenfromitsdam。
　　（DEIANEIRAentersfromthehousealone，carryinginherarmsacasketcontainingarobe。）
　　DEIANEIRA
　　Dearfriends，whileourvisitorissayinghisfarewelltothecaptivegirlsinthehouse，Ihavestolenforthtoyou，—partlytotellyouwhatthesehandshavedevised，andpartlytocraveyoursympathywithmysorrow。
　　Amaiden，—or，methinks，nolongeramaiden，butamistress，—hathfoundherwayintomyhouse，asafreightcomestoamariner，—amerchandisetomakeshipwreckofmypeace。Andnowwetwainaretosharethesamemarriage—bed，thesameembrace。SuchistherewardthatHeracleshathsentme，—hewhomIcalledtrueandloyal，—forguardinghishomethroughallthatwearytime。Ihavenothoughtofangeragainsthim，oftenasheisvexedwiththisdistemper。Butthentolivewithher，sharingthesameunion—whatwomancouldendureit？ForIseethattheflowerofherageisblossoming，whilemineisfading；andtheeyesofmenlovetocullthebloomofyouth，buttheyturnasidefromtheold。This，then，ismyfear，—lestHeracles，innamemyspouse，shouldbetheyounger’smate。
　　But，asIsaid，angerillbeseemsawomanofunderstanding。Iwilltellyou，friends，thewaybywhichIhopetofinddeliveranceandrelief。Ihadagift，giventomelongagobyamonsterofoldentime，aidstoredinanurnofbronze；agiftwhich，whileyetagirl，Itookupfromtheshaggy—breastedNessus，—fromhislife—blood，ashelaydying；Nessus，whousedtocarrymeninhisarmsacrossthedeepwatersoftheEvenus，usingnooartowaftthem，norsailofship。
　　I，too，wascarriedonhisshoulders，—when，bymyfather’ssending，firstwentforthwithHeraclesashiswife；andwhenIwasinmid—stream，hetouchedmewithwantonhands。Ishrieked；thesonofZeusturnedquicklyround，andshotafeatheredarrow；itwhizzedthroughhisbreasttothelungs；and，inhismortalfaintness，thusmuchtheCentaurspake：—
　　’ChildofagedOeneus，thoushalthaveatleastthisprofitofmyferrying，—ifthouwilthearken，—becausethouwastthelastwhomIconveyed。Ifthougatherestwiththyhandsthebloodclottedroundmywound，attheplacewheretheHydra，Lerna’smonstrousgrowth，hathtingedthearrowwithblackgall，—thisshallbetotheeacharmforthesoulofHeracles，sothatheshallneverlookuponanywomantolovehermorethanthee。’
　　Ibethoughtmeofthis，myfriends—for，afterhisdeath，Ihadkeptitcarefullylockedupinasecretplace；andIhaveanointedthisrobe，doingeverythingtoitasheenjoinedwhilehelived。Theworkisfinished。Maydeedsofwickeddaringbeeverfarfrommythoughts，andfrommyknowledge，—asIabhorthewomenwhoattemptthem！ButifinanywiseImayprevailagainstthisgirlbylove—spellsandcharmsusedonHeracles，themeanstothatendareready；—unless，indeed，Iseemtobeactingrashly：ifso，Iwilldesistforthwith。
　　LEADER
　　Nay，ifthesemeasuresgiveanygroundofconfidence，wethinkthatthydesignisnotamiss。
　　DEIANEIRA
　　Well，thegroundstandsthus，—thereisafairpromise；butIhavenotyetessayedtheproof。
　　LEADER
　　Nay，knowledgemustcomethroughaction；thoucansthavenotestwhichisnotfanciful，savebytrial。
　　DEIANEIRA
　　Well，weshallknowpresently：—forthereIseethemanalreadyatthedoors；andhewillsoonbegoing。—Onlymaymysecretbewellkeptbyyou！Whilethydeedsarehidden，eventhoughtheybenotseemly，thouwiltneverbebroughttoshame。
　　（LICHASentersfromthehouse。）
　　LICHAS
　　Whatarethycommands？Givememycharge，daughterofOeneus；
　　foralreadyIhavetarriedoverlong。
　　DEIANEIRA
　　Indeed，Ihavejustbeenseeingtothisforthee，Lichas，whilethouwastspeakingtothestrangermaidensinthehouse；—thatthoushouldesttakeformethislongrobe，wovenbymineownhand，agifttomineabsentlord。
　　Andwhenthougivestit，chargehimthathe，andnoother，shallbethefirsttowearit；thatitshallnotbeseenbythelightofthesun，norbythesacredprecinct，norbythefireatthehearth，untilhestandforth，conspicuousbeforealleyes，andshowittothegodsonadaywhenbullsareslain。
　　ForthushadIvowed，—thatifIshouldeverseeorhearthathehadcomesafelyhome，Iwoulddulyclothehiminthisrobe，andsopresenthimtothegods，newlyradiantattheiraltarinnewgarb。
　　Asproof，thoushaltcarryatoken，whichhewillquicklyrecognisewithinthecircleofthisseal。