_Megara:_ Cold horror creeps throughout my lifeless limbs. What shameful proposition do I hear? 415 I did not shrink when loud alarms of war Rang round our city's walls; and all my woes I've bravely borne. But marriage--and with him! Now do I think myself indeed a slave. Load down my tender frame with heavy chains; Be lingering death by long starvation sought; 420 Still shall no power o'ercome my wifely faith. I shall be thine, Alcides, to the death. _Lycus:_ Such spirits does a buried husband give? _Megara:_ He went below that he might reach the heavens. _Lycus:_ The boundless weight of earth oppresses him. _Megara:_ No weight of earth can overwhelm the man 425 Who bore the heavens up. _Lycus:_ Thou shalt be forced. _Megara:_ He can be forced who knows not how to die. _Lycus:_ Tell me what gift I could bestow more rich Than royal wedlock? _Megara:_ Grant thy death, or mine. _Lycus:_ Then die, thou fool. _Megara:_ 'Tis thus I'll meet my lord. _Lycus:_ Is that slave more to thee, than I, a king? 430 _Megara:_ How many kings has that slave given to death! _Lycus:_ Why does he serve a king, and bear the yoke? _Megara:_ Remove hard tasks, and where would valor be? _Lycus:_ To conquer monsters call'st thou valor then? _Megara:_ 'Tis valor to subdue what all men fear. 435 _Lycus:_ The shades of hades hold that boaster fast. _Megara:_ No easy way leads from the earth to heaven. _Lycus:_ Who is his father, that he hopes for heaven? _Amphitr.:_ Unhappy wife of mighty Hercules, Be silent now, for 'tis my part to tell 440 Alcides' parentage. After his deeds, So many and so great; after the world, From rising unto setting of the sun, Has been subdued, so many monsters tamed; After the giants' impious blood was spilled In Phlegra's vale, and gods were reinforced, 445 What need we yet to prove his parentage? Do we make false pretense of Jupiter? Then Juno's hate believe. _Lycus:_ Why blaspheme Jove? The race of mortals cannot mate with gods. _Amphitr.:_ Such is the origin of many gods. _Lycus:_ But were they slaves before their heaven was gained? 450 _Amphitr.:_ The Delian at Pherae kept the flocks. _Lycus:_ But he did not in exile roam the world. _Amphitr.:_ His mother bore him in a roaming land, Herself a fugitive. _Lycus:_ Did Phoebus fear Wild beasts and monsters? _Amphitr.:_ Yes, in dragon's blood 455 His earliest shafts were stained. _Lycus:_ Thou knowest not What heavy ills the young Alcides bore.