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[ 1193-1218] The Trachiniae 497
HERACLES
Thither, then, thou must carry me up with thine own hands, aided by
what friends thou wilt; thou shalt lop many a branch from the deeprooted
oak, and hew many a faggot also from the sturdy stock of the
wild-olive; thou shalt lay my body thereupon, and kindle it with flaming
pine-torch.
And let no tear of mourning be seen there; no, do this without lament
and without weeping, if thou art indeed my son. But if thou do it not, even
from the world below my curse and my wrath shall wait on thee for ever.
HYLLUS
Alas, my father, what hast thou spoken? How hast thou dealt with me!
HERACLES
I have spoken that which thou must perform; if thou wilt not, then get
thee some other sire, and be called my son no more!
HYLLUS
Woe, woe is me! What a deed dost thou require of me, my father,—
that I should become thy murderer, guilty of thy blood!
HERACLES
Not so, in truth, but healer of my sufferings, sole physician of my pain!
HYLLUS
And how, by enkindling thy body, shall I heal it?
HERACLES
Nay, if that thought dismay thee, at least perform the rest.
HYLLUS
The service of carrying thee shall not be refused.
HERACLES
And the heaping of the pyre, as I have bidden?
HYLLUS
Yea, save that I will not touch it with mine own hand. All else will I do,
and thou shalt have no hindrance on my part.
HERACLES
Well, so much shall be enough.—But add one small boon to thy large
benefits.
HYLLUS
Be the boon never so large, it shall be granted.