Page:Tragedies of Seneca (1907) Miller.djvu/302

284 Where sailed the dark infernal skiff? Does Acheron's wan stream allow To thee alone a backward way? And after death has greedy fate No hold upon thy dauntless soul? Perchance thy way to hell was barred By Pluto's self, who trembled sore For his own realm? Upon the pyre Of blazing woods I saw thee lie; While to the stars the raging flames Shot up. Thou wast indeed consumed. Then why does not the far abode Of death retain thy spirit still? What part of thee do trembling manes fear? Is e'en thy shade too terrible for Dis? Hercules [his form now taking shape in the air above]: The pools of grim Cocytus hold me not, Nor has the dusky skiff contained my ghost. Then cease thy mourning, mother; once for all Have I beheld the manes and the shades. The mortal part of me, the part thou gav'st, Was by the overmastering flames consumed; Thy part to fire, my father's part to heaven Has been consigned. Then cease thy loud laments, Which it were fitting to a worthless son To give. To inglorious souls such grief is due; For courage heavenward tends; base fear, to death. Hear now, as from the stars I prophesy: Soon shall the bloody king, Eurystheus, pay Fit penalty to thee for all his deeds; For over his proud head shalt thou be borne In thy triumphant car. But now 'tis meet That I return to the celestial realms; Alcides once again has conquered hell. [He vanishes from sight.] Alcmena: Stay but a little—ah, from my fond eyes He has departed, gone again to heaven. Am I deceived, and do my eyes but dream They saw my son? My soul for very grief