Lichas It will be unlike her former behaviour, then, I can tell thee, if she opens her lips: for she hath not uttered one word, but hath ever been travailing with the burden of her sorrow, and weeping bitterly, poor girl, since she left her wind-swept home. Such a state is grievous for herself, but claims our forbearance.

Deianeira Then let her be left in peace, and pass under our roof as she wishes; her present woes must not be crowned with fresh pains at my hands; she hath enough already.-Now let us all go in, that thou mayest start speedily on thy journey, while I make all things ready in the house.

[ Lichas leads the captives into the house. Deianeira starts to follow them, but the Messenger, who has been present during the entire scene, detains her. He speaks as he moves nearer to her.]

Messenger Ay, but first tarry here a brief space, that thou mayest learn, apart from yonder folk, whom thou art taking to thy hearth, and mayest gain the needful knowledge of things which have not been told to thee. Of these I am in full possession.

Deianeira What means this? Why wouldest thou stay my departure?

Messenger Pause and listen. My former story was worth thy hearing, and so will this one be, methinks.

Deianeira Shall I call those others back? Or wilt thou speak before me and these maidens?

Messenger To thee and these I can speak freely; never mind the others.

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 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 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 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!

Deianeira Ah, maidens, what am I to do? These latest tidings have bewildered me!

Leader Go and inquire from Lichas; perchance he will tell the truth, if thou constrain him to answer.

Deianeira Well, I will go; thy counsel is not amiss.

Messenger And I, shall I wait here? Or what is thy pleasure?

Deianeira Remain; - here he comes from the house of his own accord, without summons from me.