Page:Tragedies of Seneca (1907) Miller.djvu/297

Rh What hiding-place conceal thy mother now, Since she is known through thee in every land? Shall I return unto my native shores, My wretched lares? There Eurystheus reigns. Shall I seek out my husband's city, Thebes, Ismenus' stream, and my own bridal bed Where once, beloved, I saw great Jupiter? Oh, happy, far too happy had I been, If I myself, like Semele, had felt The blasting presence of the thundering Jove! Oh, would that from my womb Alcides, too, Untimely had been torn! But now 'tis given, 'Tis given to see my son with mighty Jove Vying in praise; would that this might be given, To know from what fate he could rescue me. What people now will live remembering thee, O son? Ungrateful are they all alike. Cleonae shall I seek? the Arcadians, And the lands ennobled by thy mighty deeds? Here fell the serpent dire, here monstrous birds, Here fell the bloody king; and here, subdued By thy right hand, the lion, who in heaven Is given a place, whilst thou in earth remain'st. If earth is grateful, then let every race Defend Alcmena for thy sake. Shall I To Thracian peoples go, to Hebrus' tribes? For this land, too, was by thy mighty works Defended. Low the bloody stables lie, And low the kingdom; peace was granted it, What time the cruel king was overthrown. What land, indeed, has not gained peace through thee? Where shall I seek for thee a sepulcher, Unhappy, aged woman that I am? Let all the world contend for these remains Collected from the pyre of Hercules. What race, what temples, or what nations ask For them? Who asks to have Alcmena's load? What sepulcher, O son, what tomb for thee Is great enough? Naught save the world itself;