Leader: Mischief must needs be feared; but it is not well to doom
our hope before the event.
Deianeira: Unwise counsels leave no room even for a hope which can
lend courage.
Leader: Yet towards those who have erred unwittingly, men's anger
is softened; and so it should be towards thee.
Deianeira: Nay, such words are not for one who has borne a part in
the ill deed, but only for him who has no trouble at his own door.
Leader: 'Twere well to refrain from further speech, unless thou would'st
tell aught to thine own son; for he is at hand, who went erewhile
to seek his sire. (Enter Hyllus)
Hyllus: O mother, would that one of three things had befallen thee!
Would that thou wert dead,- or, if living, no mother of mine,- or
that some new and better spirit had passed into thy bosom.
Deianeira: Ah, my son, what cause have I given thee to abhor me?
Hyllus: I tell thee that thy husband- yea, my sire-bath been done
to death by thee this day
Studies
