Then, O ye peoples, rescue me from ill, 1335 Your champion. This chance is given you, By slaying me to cancel all you owe. [_Enter_ Alcmena.] _Alcmena:_ Where shall Alcides' wretched mother go? Where is my son? Lo, if I see aright, Yonder he lies with burning fever tossed And throbbing heart. I hear his groans of pain. 1340 Ah me, his life is at an end. My son, Come, let me fold thee in a last embrace, And catch thy parting spirit in my mouth; These arms of mine upon thine own I'll lay. But where are they? Where is that sturdy neck Which bore the burden of the starry heavens? What cause has left to thee so small a part Of thy once massive frame? 1345 _Hercules:_ Thou seest, indeed, The shadow and the piteous counterfeit Of thine Alcides. Come, behold thy son. But why dost turn away and hide thy face? Art thou ashamed that such as I am called Thy son? _Alcmena:_ What land, what world has given birth To this new monster? What so dire a thing 1350 Has triumphed over mighty Hercules? _Hercules:_ By my own wife's deceits am I undone. _Alcmena:_ What fraud is great enough to conquer thee? _Hercules:_ Whate'er is great enough for woman's wrath. _Alcmena:_ How got the pest so deep within thy frame? 1355 _Hercules:_ Through a poisoned robe sent by a woman's hands. _Alcmena:_ Where is the robe? I see thy limbs are bare. _Hercules:_ With me 'tis all consumed. _Alcmena:_ How can it be? _Hercules:_ I tell thee, mother, through my vitals roam The hydra and a thousand poisonous beasts. 1360 What flames as hot as these invade the clouds O'er Aetna's top? What glowing Lemnian fires, What torrid radiance of the burning heavens, Within whose scorching zone the day comes not? O comrades, take and throw me in the sea, Or in the river's rushing stream--alas, 1365 Where is the stream that will suffice for me? Though greater than all lands, not ocean's self Can cool my burning pains. To ease my woe All streams were not enough, all springs would fail. Why, O thou lord of Erebus, didst thou To Jove return me? Better had it been To hold me fast. Oh, take me back again, 1370 And show me as I am to those fell shades Whom I subdued. Naught will I take away. Thou hast no need to fear Alcides more. Come death, attack me; have no fear of me; For I at length am fain to welcome thee. _Alcmena:_ Restrain thy tears at least; subdue thy pains. Come, show thyself unconquered still by woe; 1375 And death and hell, as is thy wont, defy.