IOL. But, O you, who mightily surpass all women in courage, know that, both living and dying, you shall be most honored by us: and farewell; for I abhor to speak words of ill omen about the Goddess to whom your body is given as the first-fruits, the daughter of Ceres. O children, we are undone; my limbs are relaxed by grief; take me, and place me in my seat, veiling me there with these garments, O children; since neither am I pleased at these things which are done, and if the oracle were not fulfilled, life would be unbearable, for the ruin would be greater; but even this is a calamity. CHOR. I say that no man is either happy or miserable but through the Gods, and that the same family does not always walk in good fortune, but different fates pursue it different ways; it is wont to make one from a lofty station insignificant, and makes the wanderer wealthy: but it is impossible to avoid what is fated; no one can repel it by wisdom, but he who is hasty without purpose will always have trouble; but do not thus bear the fortune sent by the Gods, falling down [in prayer,] and do not over-pain your mind with grief, for she hapless possesses a glorious portion of death on behalf of her brethren and her country; nor will an inglorious reputation among men await her: but virtue proceeds through toils. These things are worthy of her father, and worthy of her noble descent; and if you respect the deaths of the good, I share your feelings. SERVANT. O children, hail! But at what distance from this place is the aged Iolaus and your father's mother? IOL. We are here, such a presence as mine is. SERV. On what account dost thou lie thus, and have an eye so downcast? IOL. A domestic care has come upon me, by which I am constrained. SERV. Raise now thyself, erect thy head. IOL. I am an old man, and by no means strong. SERV. But I am come, bearing to you a great joy. IOL. And who art thou, where having met you, do I forget you? SERV. I am a poor servant of Hyllus; do you not recognize me, seeing me? IOL. O dearest one, dost thou then come as a savior to us from injury? SERV. Surely; and moreover you are prosperous as to the present state of affairs. IOL. O mother of a doughty son, I mean Alcmena, come forth, hear these most welcome words; for you have been long wasting away as to your soul in anxiety concerning those who have come hither, where they would ever arrive.[19] ALCMENA. Wherefore has a mighty shout filled all this house? O Iolaus, does any herald, coming from Argos, again do you violence? my strength indeed is weak, but thus much you must know, O stranger, you shall never drag these away while I am living, else may I no longer be thought to be his mother; but if you touch them with your hand, you will have no honorable contest with two old people. IOL. Be of good cheer, old woman; fear not, the herald is not come from Argos bearing hostile words. ALC. Why then did you raise a shout, a messenger of fear?