had never slain any man before, and caused that he should be sold for a year as a bond-slave to Queen Omphale.  And when the year was ended, and Hercules was free, he vowed a vow that he would destroy this city from which there had come to him this disgrace; which vow he accomplished.  And these women whom thou seest are the captives of his spear.  And as for himself, be sure that thou wilt see him in no long space.”

When Lichas had thus spoken, the Queen looked upon the captives, and had compassion on them, praying to the Gods that such an evil thing might not befall her children, or if, haply, it should befall them, she might be dead before.  And seeing that there was one among them who surpassed the others in beauty, being tall and fair exceedingly, as if she were the daughter of a king, she would fain know who she was; and when the woman answered not a word, she would have the herald tell her.  But he made as if he knew nothing at all; only that she seemed to be well born, and that from the first she had spoken nothing, but wept continually.  And the Queen pitied her, and said that they should not trouble her, but take her into the palace and deal kindly with her, lest she should have sorrow upon sorrow.

But Lichas having departed for a space, the messenger that came at the first would have speech of the Queen alone.  And when she had dismissed all the people, he told her that Lichas had not spoken truly, saying that he knew not who was this stranger, for that she was the daughter of King Eurytus, Iole by name, and that indeed for love of her Hercules had taken the city.

And when the Queen heard this she was sore troubled, fearing lest the heart of her husband should now have been turned from her.  But first she would know the certainty of the matter.  So when Lichas came, being now about to depart, and inquired what he should say, as from the Queen to Hercules, she said to him, “Lichas, art thou one that loveth the truth?”

“Yea, by Zeus!” said he, “if so be that I know it.”

“Tell me, then, who is this woman whom thou hast brought?”

“A woman of Euboea; but of what lineage I know not.”

“Look thou here.  Knowest thou who it is to whom thou speakest?”

“Yea, I know it; to Queen Deianeira, daughter of Oeneus and wife to Hercules, and my mistress.”

“Thou sayest that I am thy mistress.  What should be done to thee if thou be found doing wrong to me?”

“What wrong?  What meanest thou?  But this is idle talk, and I had best depart.”

“Thou departest not till I shall have inquired somewhat further of thee.”

So the Queen commanded that they should bring the messenger who had set forth the whole matter to her.  And when the man was come, and had told what he knew, and the Queen also spake fair, as bearing no wrath against her husband, Lichas made confession that the thing was indeed as the man had said, and that the woman was Iole, daughter of King Eurytus.