_Hercules_ [_his form now taking shape in the air above_]: The pools of grim Cocytus hold me not, Nor has the dusky skiff contained my ghost. Then cease thy mourning, mother; once for all Have I beheld the manes and the shades. 1965 The mortal part of me, the part thou gav'st, Was by the overmastering flames consumed; Thy part to fire, my father's part to heaven Has been consigned. Then cease thy loud laments, Which it were fitting to a worthless son To give. To inglorious souls such grief is due; 1970 For courage heavenward tends; base fear, to death. Hear now, as from the stars I prophesy: Soon shall the bloody king, Eurystheus, pay Fit penalty to thee for all his deeds; For over his proud head shalt thou be borne In thy triumphant car. But now 'tis meet That I return to the celestial realms; 1975 Alcides once again has conquered hell. [_He vanishes from sight._] _Alcmena:_ Stay but a little--ah, from my fond eyes He has departed, gone again to heaven. Am I deceived, and do my eyes but dream They saw my son? My soul for very grief Is faithless still. Not so, thou art a god, 1980 And holdest even now the immortal skies. I trust thy triumph still. But quickly now Unto the realm of Thebes will I repair, And proudly tell thy new-made godhead there. [_Exit._] _Chorus:_ Never is glorious manhood borne To Stygian shades. The brave live on, Nor over Lethe's silent stream 1985 Shall they by cruel fate be drawn. But when life's days are all consumed, And comes the final hour, for them A pathway to the gods is spread By glory. Be thou with us yet, O mighty conqueror of beasts, 1990 Subduer of the world. Oh, still Have thought unto this earth of ours. And if some strange, new monster come And fill the nations with his dread, Do thou with forkéd lightnings crush The beast; yea, hurl thy thunderbolts 1995 More mightily than Jove himself. FOOTNOTES: [43] Reading, _nemus_. [44] Reading, _vindicem amisi_. [45] Reading, _terrae atque pelagi_. [46] Reading, _quod_. THYESTES THYESTES DRAMATIS PERSONAE THYESTES Brother of Atreus, in exile from his fatherland. _The Ghost of Tantalus._ Doomed for his sins to come back to earth and inspire his house to greater sin. _The Fury_ Who drives the ghost on to do his allotted part. _Atreus_ King of Argos, grandson of Tantalus, who has quarreled with his brother and driven him into exile. _An Attendant of Atreus._ _Three sons of Thyestes:_ Only one of whom, Tantalus, takes part in the dialogue. _A Messenger._ _Chorus_ Citizens of Mycenae. THE SCENE is laid partly without the city of Argos, and partly within the royal palace.