THE BOOK WAS DRENCHED - OUDL Home

SERVANT
Friend, the strength, that erst was thine, is thine no more.
IOLAUS
Well, at any rate, I will fight with as many as ever I did.
SERVANT
Small the weight thou canst throw into the balance for thy friends.
IOLAUS
Detain me not, when I have girded myself for action.
SERVANT
The power to act is thine no more, the will maybe is there.
IOLAUS
Stay here I will not, say what else thou wilt.
SERVANT
How shalt thou show thyself before the troops unarmed?
IOLAUS
There be captured arms within this shrine; these will I use, and, if I
live, restore; and, if I am slain, the god will not demand them of me back.
Go thou within, and from its peg take down a suit of armour and forthwith
bring it to me. To linger thus at home is infamous, while some go
fight, and others out of cowardice remain behind.
(The SERVANT goes into the temple,)
CHORUS (singing)
Not yet hath time laid low thy spirit, 'tis young as ever; but thy
body's strength is gone. Why toil to no purpose? 'Twill do thee hurt
and benefit our city little. At thy age thou shouldst confess thy error
and let impossibilities alone. Thou canst in no way get thy vigour
back again.
ALCMENA
What means this mad resolve to leave me with my children undefended
here?
IOLAUS
Men must fight; and thou must look to them.
ALCMENA
And what if thou art slain? what safety shall I find?
IOLAUS
Thy son's surviving children will care for thee.