Page:Tragedies of Seneca (1907) Miller.djvu/171

Rh Protecting in her arms, flees madly forth. Hercules [behind the scenes, to Megara also behind the scenes]: Though thou shouldst hide thee in the Thunderer's arms, This hand of mine will seek and snatch thee forth. Amphitryon [standing throughout this scene as above]: Oh, whither, wretched woman, dost thou flee? What flight, what hiding-places dost thou seek? No place is safe from angry Hercules. Embrace his knees the rather, and with prayer Attempt to soothe his wrath. The voice of Megara: O husband, spare; Thy Megara behold and recognize; This son of thine thy face and manner bears. See how he stretches out his hands to thee. The voice of Hercules: At last I have thee, stepdame, in my power. Come thou with me, and pay full penalty For all my wrongs; free thy poor, troubled lord From his base yoke. But ere the mother dies, This little monster must be put to death. The voice of Megara: What wouldst thou, madman? Shed thine infant's blood? Amphitr.: The child, in terror of his father's face, Died ere he felt the blow. 'Twas fear that snatched His spirit forth. Now 'gainst his trembling wife, His mighty club is raised—her bones are crushed, Her head is stricken from the mangled trunk And may no more be seen. [To himself.] O stubborn age, Too long enduring, canst thou bide this sight? But if thy grief is irksome, death is near. [To Hercules.] Impale me on thy darts; that club of thine, With blood of monsters smeared, raise to my death. Come, slay me who am falsely called thy sire, And so remove this blot upon thy name, That I no longer may thy fame obscure. Theseus: Why shouldst thou wantonly provoke thy death, Old man? Why this mad haste to die? Away,