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193 HERACLES 193

The following portions of the play are from the trans- lation of Robert Browning, which is included in his poem Aristophanes' Apology.^

THE FATE OF HERACLES

This ode is sung by the Chorus of Thebans in honor of Hera- cles, who they fear may have perished on his mission to Hades. They give an account of his former labors, wrought for Eurys- theus, and lament that he is not at hand to deliver his father, his wife, and his children, who are even now to be slain by Lycus, the usurping king.

Even a dirge, can Phoibos suit see

In song to music jubilant

For all its sorrow : making shoot

His golden plectron o'er the lute,

Melodious ministrant. aw

And I, too, am of mind to raise,

Despite the imminence of doom,

A song of joy, outpour my praise

To him — what is it rumor says ? —

Whether — now buried in the ghostly gloom 395

Below ground — he was child of Zeus indeed,

Or mere Amphitruon's mortal seed —

To him I weave the wreath of song, his labor's meed.

For, is my hero perished in the feat ?

^ Mr. Brooming preferred to transliterate Greek proper names in- stead of using the Latin forms, -which are more familiar to English readers. Thus Phoibos is for Phoebus Apollo ; Peneios for Peneus, the chief river of Thessaly ; Haides for Hades, the place of departed spir- its ; Kentaur for Centaur, a fabulous race of beings, half horse and half man ; Mukenai for Mycenae, the chief fortress and palace in Ar- golis ; Kuknos for Cycnus ; Kuklops for Cyclops, one of the race which was said to have built the " Cyclopean walls '' of Tiryns ; Herakles for Hercules ; Eurustheus for Eurystheus, king of Tiryns, who was allowed by tlie gods to impose twelve tasks or " labors " on his mightier kinsman Hercules ; Asklepios for Aesculapius ; Plouton for Pluto ; Amphitruun for Amphitryo.