MESS.  O mistress, you see, but still it shall be said, we are come, bringing to you Eurystheus here, an unhoped-for sight, and one no less so for him to meet with, for he never expected to come into your hands when he went forth from Mycenae with a much-toiling band of spearmen, proudly planning things much greater than his fortune, that he should destroy Athens; but the God changed his fortune, and made it contrary.  Hyllus, therefore, and the good Iolaus, have set up a statue, in honor of their victory, of Jove, the putter to flight; and they send me to bring this man to you, wishing to delight your mind; for it is most delightful to see an enemy unfortunate, after having been fortunate.

ALC.  O hateful thing, art thou come? has justice taken you at last? first then indeed turn hither your head toward me, and dare to look your enemies in the face; for now you are ruled, and you rule no more.  Art thou he, for I wish to know, who chose, O wretch, much to insult my son, though no longer existing?  For in what respect didst thou not dare to insult him? who led him, while alive, down to hell, and sent him forth, bidding him destroy hydras and lions?  And I am silent concerning the other evils you contrived, for it would be a long story; and it did not satisfy you that he alone should endure these things, but you drove me also, and my children, out of all Greece, sitting as suppliants of the Gods, some old, and some still infants; but you found men and a city free, who feared you not.  Thou needs must die miserably, and you shall gain every thing, for you ought to die not once only, having wrought many evil deeds.

MESS.  It is not practicable for you to put him to death.[31]

ALC.  In vain then have we taken him prisoner.  But what law hinders him from dying?

MESS.  It seems not so to the chiefs of this land.

ALC.  What is this? not good to them to slay one’s enemies?

MESS.  Not any one whom they have taken alive in battle.

ALC.  And did Hyllus endure this decision?

MESS.  He could, I suppose, disobey this land![32]

ALC.  He ought no longer to live, nor behold the light.

MESS.  Then first he did wrong in not dying.

ALC.  Then it is no longer right for him to be punished?[33]

MESS.  There is no one who may put him to death.

ALC.  I will.  And yet I say that I am some one.

MESS.  You will indeed have much blame if you do this.

ALC.  I love this city.  It can not be denied.  But as for this man, since he has come into my power, there is no mortal who shall take him from me.  For this, whoever will may call me bold, and thinking things too much for a woman; but this deed shall be done by me.

CHOR.  It is a serious and excusable thing, O lady, for you to have hatred against this man, I well know it.