_Amphitr.:_ But Bacchus by a thunderbolt was ripped From out his mother's womb; and yet he stood In after time beside the Thunderer, His sire. Nay, Jove himself, who rules the stars And drives the clouds, did he not lie concealed, 460 In helpless infancy in Ida's cave? A heavy price must so high lineage pay, And suffering is the birthright of a god. _Lycus:_ Whoe'er is wretched, thou wouldst mortal know. _Amphitr.:_ Whoe'er is brave, thou wouldst not wretched call. _Lycus:_ But is he brave, from whose broad shoulders fell 465 The lion's skin and club, that they might be A maiden's plaything? Who himself shone bright In Tyrian vestments? Should we call him brave, Whose bristling locks were wet with fragrant nard, Whose famous hands in woman's wise essayed To play the tambour; on whose frowning brow 470 The Phrygian turban shamelessly was worn? _Amphitr.:_ But youthful Bacchus did not blush to wear His locks in flowing ringlets, in his hand The thyrsus light to brandish, as he walked With steps unsteady, clad in trailing robes Bright with barbaric gold. 'Tis virtue's right 475 In foolishness to ease the strain of toil. _Lycus:_ 'Twas for this cause the house of Eurytus Was overthrown, and troops of maidens slain Like helpless sheep! No Juno ordered this, Nor yet Eurystheus: these his works alone. 480 _Amphitr.:_ Thou know'st not all his deeds: it was his work That Eryx fell, by his own gauntlets slain; That in his death Antaeus, too, was joined; That those foul altars, dripping with the blood Of hapless strangers, drank the blood at last Of murderous Busiris. 'Twas his work That Cycnus, proof against the sword, was slain, 485 Though still unwounded; by his hand alone The threefold Geryon fell. And thou shalt be As one of these, though they ne'er basely sinned Against the rites of marriage. _Lycus:_ What to Jove Is lawful, is my kingly right as well. A wife thou gav'st to him; so for thy king Shalt thou a mate provide. Now Megara 490 From thine example shall the lesson learn, Not new, that wives may yield to better men, When husbands give consent. But if, self-willed, She still refuse to take me for her lord, I'll force her will to bear me noble seed. _Megara:_ Ye shades of Creon, and ye household gods 495 Of Labdacus, ye impious nuptial fires Of Oedipus, your wonted fortune give To this our union! O ye savage wives Of king Aegyptus' sons, be present now, With blood-stained hands. Your count is incomplete. I gladly will that impious number fill. 500