heracles-第5章
按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页，按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页，按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部！
————未阅读完？加入书签已便下次继续阅读！
Didst worst him in fight； or receive him from the goddess？
HERACLES
In fair fight； for I had been lucky enough to witness the rites of
the initiated。
AMPHITRYON
Is the monster really lodged in the house of Eurystheus？
HERACLES
The grove of Demeter and the city of Hermione are his prison。
AMPHITRYON
Does not Eurystheus know that thou hast returned to the upper
world？
HERACLES
He knows not； I came hither first to learn your news。
AMPHITRYON
How is it thou wert so long beneath the earth？
HERACLES
I stayed awhile attempting to bring back Theseus from Hades；
father。
AMPHITRYON
Where is he？ gone to his native land？
HERACLES
He set out for Athens right glad to have escaped from the lower
world。 Come； children； attend your father to the house。 My entering in
is fairer in your eyes； I trow； than my going out。 Take heart； and
no more let the tears stream from your eyes； thou too； dear wife；
collect thy courage； cease from fear； let go my robe； for I cannot fly
away； nor have I any wish to flee from those I love。 Ah！ they do not
loose their hold； but cling to my garments all the more； were ye in
such jeopardy？ Well； I must lead them； taking them by the hand to draw
them after me； like a ship when towing； for I too do not reject the
care of my children； here all mankind are equal； all love their
children； both those of high estate and those； who are naught； 'tis
wealth that makes distinctions among them； some have； others want； but
all the human race loves its offspring。
（HERACLES； MEGARA； AMPHITRYON and the children enter the palace。）
CHORUS （singing）
strophe 1
Dear to me is youth； but old age is ever hanging o'er my head； a
burden heavier than Aetna's crags； casting its pall of gloom upon my
eyes。 Oh！ never may the wealth of Asia's kings tempt me to barter
for houses stored with gold my happy youth； which is in wealth and
poverty alike most fair！ But old age is gloomy and deathly； I hate it；
let it sink beneath the waves！ Would it had never found its way to the
homes and towns of mortal men； but were still drifting on for ever
down the wind。
antistrophe 1
Had the gods shown discernment and wisdom； as mortals count
these things； men would have gotten youth twice over； a visible mark
of worth amongst whomsoever found； and after death would these have
retraced their steps once more to the sun…light； while the mean man
would have had but a single portion of life； and thus would it have
been possible to distinguish the good and the bad； just as sailors
know the number of the stars amid the clouds。 But； as it is； the
gods have set no certain boundary 'twixt good and bad； but time's
onward roll brings increase only to man's wealth。
strophe 2
Never will I cease to link in one the Graces and the Muses；
fairest union。 Never may my lines be cast among untutored boors； but
ever may I find a place among the crowned choir！ Yes； still the aged
bard lifts up his voice of bygone memories； still is my song of the
triumphs of Heracles； whether Bromius the giver of wine is nigh； or
the strains of the seven…stringed lyre and the Libyan flute are
rising； not yet will I cease to sing the Muses' praise； my patrons
in the dance。
antistrophe 2
As the maids of Delos raise their song of joy； circling round
the temple gates in honour of Leto's fair son； the graceful dancer； so
with my old lips will sing songs of victory at thy palace…doors；
song of my old age； such as sings the dying swan； for there is a
goodly theme for minstrelsy； he is the son of Zeus； yet high above his
noble birth tower his deeds of prowess； for his toil secured this life
of calm for man； having destroyed all fearsome beasts。
（AMPHITRYON comes out of the palace as Lycus and his retinue enter。）
LYCUS
Ha！ Amphitryon； 'tis high time thou camest forth from the
palace； ye have been too long arraying yourselves in the robes and
trappings of the dead。 Come； bid the wife and children of Heracles
show themselves outside the house； to die on the conditions you
yourselves offered。
AMPHITRYON
O king； thou dost persecute me in my misery and heapest insult
upon me over and above the loss of my son； thou shouldst have been
more moderate in thy zeal； though thou art my lord and master。 But
since thou dost impose death's stern necessity on me； needs must I
acquiesce and do thy will。
LYCUS
Pray； where is Megara？ where are the children of Alcmena's son？
AMPHITRYON
She； I believe； so far as I can guess from outside…
LYCUS
What grounds hast thou to base thy fancy on？
AMPHITRYON
Is sitting as a suppliant on the altar's hallowed steps。
LYCUS
Imploring them quite uselessly to save her life。
AMPHITRYON
And calling on her dead husband； quite in vain。
LYCUS
He is nowhere near； and he certainly will never come。
AMPHITRYON
No； unless perhaps a god should raise him from the dead。
LYCUS
Go to her and bring her from the palace。
AMPHITRYON
By doing so I should become an accomplice in her murder。
LYCUS
Since thou hast this scruple； I； who have left fear behind； will
myself bring out the mother and her children。 Follow me； servants；
that we may put an end to this delay of our work to our joy。
（Lycus and his servants enter the palace。）
AMPHITRYON
Then go thy way along the path of fate； for what remains； maybe
another will provide。 Expect for thy evil deeds to find some ill
thyself。 Ah！ my aged friends； he is marching fairly to his doom；
soon will he be entangled in the snare of the sword； thinking to
slay his neighbours； the villain！ I will hence； to see him fall
dead； for the sight of a foe being slain and paying the penalty of his
misdeeds gives pleasure。
（AMPHITRYON follows Lycus into the palace。）
CHORUS （singing）
Evil has changed sides； he who was erst a mighty king is now
turning his life backward into the road to Hades。
Hail to thee！ justice and heavenly retribution。
At last hast thou reached the goal where thy death will pay the
forfeit；
For thy insults against thy betters。
Joy makes my tears burst forth。
There is come a retribution； which the prince of the land never
once thought in his heart would happen。
Come； old friends； let us look within to see if one we know has
met the fate I hope。
LYCUS （within）
Ah me！ ah me！
CHORUS （singing）
Ha！ how sweet to hear that opening note of his within the house；
death is not far off him now。
Hark！ the prince cries out in his agony； that preludes death。
LYCUS （within）
O kingdom of Cadmus； by treachery I am perishing！
CHORUS （singing）
Thou wert thyself for making others perish； endure thy
retribution； 'tis only the penalty of thy own deeds thou art paying。
Who was he； weak son of man； that aimed his silly saying at the
blessed gods of heaven with impious blasphemy； maintaining that they
are weaklings after all？
Old friends； our godless foe is now no more。
The house is still； let us to our dancing。
Yea； for fortune smiles upon my friends as I desire。
strophe 1
Dances and banquets now prevail throughout the holy town of
Thebes。 For release from tears and respite from sorrow give birth to
song。 The upstart king is dead and gone； our former monarch now is
prince； having made his way even from the bourn of Acheron。 Hope
beyond all expectation is fulfilled。
antistrophe 1
To heed the right and wrong is heaven's care。 'Tis their gold
and their good luck that lead men's hearts astray； bringing in their
train unholy tyranny。 For no man ever had the courage to reflect
what reverses time might bring； but； disregarding law to gratify
lawlessness； he shatters in gloom the car of
