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474 Sophocles [345-384]
DEIANEIRA
Well, they are gone;—so thy story can proceed.
MESSENGER
Yonder man was not speaking the straight-forward truth in aught that
he has just told. He has given false tidings now, or else his former report
was dishonest.
DEIANEIRA
How sayest thou? Explain thy whole drift clearly; thus far, thy words
are riddles to me.
MESSENGER
I heard this man declare, before many witnesses, that for this maiden's
sake Heracles overthrew Eurytus and the proud towers of Oechalia; Love,
alone of the gods, wrought on him to do those deeds of arms,—not the
toilsome servitude to Omphale in Lydia, nor the death to which Iphitus
was hurled. But now the herald has thrust Love out of sight, and tells a
different tale.
Well, when he could not persuade her sire to give him the maiden for
his paramour, he devised some petty complaint as a pretext, and made war
upon her land,—that in which, as he said, this Eurytus bore sway,—and
slew the prince her father, and sacked her city. And now, as thou seest, he
comes sending her to this house not in careless fashion, lady, nor like a
slave;—no, dream not of that,—it is not likely, if his heart is kindled with
desire.
I resolved, therefore, O Queen, to tell thee all that I had heard from
yonder man. Many others were listening to it, as I was, in the public
place where the Trachinians were assembled; and they can convict him.
If my words are unwelcome, I am grieved; but nevertheless I have spoken
out the truth.
DEIANEIRA
Ah me unhappy! In what plight do I stand? What secret bane have I
received beneath my roof? Hapless that I am! Is she nameless, then, as
her convoy sware?
MESSENGER
Nay, illustrious by name as by birth; she is the daughter of Eurytus,
and was once called Iole; she of whose parentage Lichas could say nothing,
because, forsooth, he asked no questions.
LEADER OF THE CHORUS
Accursed, above other evil-doers, be the man whom deeds of treachery
dishonour!