Stasimon 2
[Episode]
My son, it is like you to show your love for your dear ones and your hate for your enemies; only curb excessive hastiness.
585
Heracles
How, father, am I now showing more than fitting haste?
Amphitryon
The king has a host of allies, needy villains though pretending to be rich,
who sowed dissension and overthrew the state with a view to plundering their neighbors; for the wealth they had in their houses was all spent, dissipated by their sloth. You were seen entering the city; and, that being so, beware that you do not bring your enemies together and be slain unawares.
590
Heracles
Little I care if the whole city saw me; but happening to see a bird perched in an unlucky position, from it I learned that some trouble had befallen my house; so on purpose I made my entry to the land by stealth.
595
Amphitryon
Well done; now, on your arrival, go salute your household altar,
and let your father’s halls behold your face. For soon the king will be here in person to drag away your wife and children and murder them, and to add me to the bloody list. But if you remain on the spot all will go well, and you will profit by this security; but do not rouse
600
your city before you have these matters well in train, my son.
605
Heracles
I will do so; your advice is good; I will enter my house. After my return at length from the sunless den of Hades and the maiden queen of hell, I will not neglect to greet first of all the gods beneath my roof.
Amphitryon
Did you really go to the house of Hades, my son?
610
Heracles
Yes, and brought to the light that three-headed monster.
Amphitryon
Did you conquer him in fight, or receive him from the goddess?
Heracles
In fight; for I had been lucky enough to witness the rites of the initiated.
Amphitryon
Is the monster really lodged in the house of Eurystheus?
Heracles
The grove of Demeter and the city of Hermione have him now.
615
Amphitryon
Eurystheus does not know that you have returned to the upper world?
Heracles
He does not; I came here first to learn your news.
Amphitryon
How is it you were so long beneath the earth?
Heracles
I stayed awhile attempting to bring back Theseus from Hades, father.
Amphitryon
Where is he? gone to his native land?
620
