This gory venom blackly spreading bane From Nessus' angry wound, must it not cause The death of Heracles? I think it must. Yet my resolve is firm, if aught harm him, My death shall follow in the self-same hour. She cannot bear to live in evil fame, Who cares to have a nature pure from ill. CH. Horrid mischance must needs occasion fear. But Hope is not condemned before the event. DE. In ill-advised proceeding not even Hope Remains to minister a cheerful mind. CH. Yet to have erred unwittingly abates The fire of wrath; and thou art in this case. DE. So speaks not he who hath a share of sin, But who is clear of all offence at home. CH. 'Twere well to say no more, unless thou hast aught To impart to thine own son: for he is here, Who went erewhile to find his father forth. HYLLUS _(re-entering)_. O mother, mother! I would to heaven one of three things were true: Either that thou wert dead, or, living, wert No mother to me, or hadst gained a mind Furnished with better thoughts than thou hast now! DE. My son! what canst thou so mislike in me? HYL. I tell thee thou this day hast been the death Of him that was thy husband and my sire. DE. What word hath passed thy lips? my child, my child! HYL. A word that must be verified. For who Can make the accomplished fact as things undone? DE. Alas, my son! what saidst thou? Who hath told That I have wrought a deed so full of woe? HYL. 'Twas I myself that saw with these mine eyes My father's heavy state:--no hearsay word. DE. And where didst thou come near him and stand by?