Page:Tragedies of Seneca (1907) Miller.djvu/246

228 Ye heard, indeed, my prayers, O gods of heaven, And Hercules is safe returned—for her! O grief, that no revenge can satisfy, Seek out some dreadful means of punishment, By man unthought of and unspeakable. Teach Juno's self how slight her hatred is. She knows not how to rage. O Hercules, For me didst thou thy mighty battles wage; For me did Achelous dye his waves With his own blood in mortal strife with thee, When now a writhing serpent he became, Now to a threatening bull he turned himself, And thou a thousand beasts didst overcome In one sole enemy. But now, alas, Am I no longer pleasing in thy sight, And this base captive is preferred to me. But this she shall not be. For that same day Which ends our married joys shall end thy life. But what is this? My rage begins to fail And moderate its threats. My anger's gone. Why dost thou languish thus, O wretched grief? Wilt thou give o'er thy passion, be again The faithful, uncomplaining wife? Ah no! Why dost thou strive to check the flames of wrath? Why quench its fire? Let me but keep my rage, And I shall be the peer of Hercules, And I shall need to seek no heavenly aid. But still, though all uncalled, will Juno come To guide my hands. Nurse: What crime dost thou intend, O foolish one? Wilt slay thy noble lord, Whose praises from the east to west are known, Whose fame extends from earth to highest heaven? For all the earth will rise to avenge his death; And this thy father's house and all thy race Will be the first to fall. Soon rocks and brands Will be against thee hurled, since every land Will its protector shield; and thou alone Wilt suffer many, many penalties.