Stasimon 3
[Episode]
Not yet hath time laid low thy spirit, ’tis young as ever; but thy body’s strength is gone. Why toil to no purpose?
Chorus
’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.
705
Alcmena
What means this mad resolve
to leave me with my children undefended here?
710
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.
Alcmena
Suppose they meet with some reverse? which Heaven forefend!
Iolaus
These strangers will not give thee up, fear not.
715
Alcmena
They are my last and only hope, I have no other.
Iolaus
Zeus too, I feel sure, cares for thy sufferings.
Alcmena
Ah! of Zeus will I never speak ill, but himself doth know, whether he is just to me.
Servant (of Hyllus)
Lo! here thou seest a full coat of mail; make haste to case thyself therein; for the strife is nigh, and bitterly doth Ares loathe loiterers; but if thou fear the weight of the armour, go for the present without it, and in the ranks
720
do on this gear; meantime will I carry it.
725
Iolaus
Well said! keep the harness ready to my hand, put a spear within my grasp, and support me on the left side, guiding my steps.
Servant (of Hyllus)
Am I to lead this warrior like a child?
Iolaus
To save the omen, we must go without stumbling.
730
Servant (of Hyllus)
Would thy power to act were equal to thy zeal!
Iolaus
Hasten; I shall feel it grievously, if I am too late for the battle.
Servant (of Hyllus)
’Tis thou who art slow, not I, though thou fanciest thou art doing wonders.
