disease." Dejanira is made happy by the answer—so happy, that she fears some fresh disaster. She cannot help contrasting her own joy with the forlorn and helpless state of these captive women. Heaven grant, is her prayer, such sorrow may never come on her or hers!
Then her attention is caught by one of the captives standing somewhat apart from the others, and a woman's instinct impels her to ask of Lichas the name and history of this pale and graceful stranger—
"For, more than all, my own heart pities her,
And, more than all, her soul is quick to feel."—(P.)
But Lichas professes ignorance. He knows nothing of this maiden, except that she has done nothing but weep and wring her hands ever since she left her home on the "windy heights" of Œchalia; and she has been possessed by a dumb spirit, and will answer no questions. And then he leads his retinue off the stage.
Then the same old messenger who had preceded the herald enters again. He is, as M. Girardin terms him, an "indiscreet Iago,"[1] whose meddlesome loquacity produces graver mischief than the machinations of a hardened villain. With a mysterious and important air he begs an audience; he tells his mistress that Lichas has deceived her; that this fair and graceful maiden is none other than Iole, the daughter of Eurytus; and that it was love of her which had im-
- ↑ Cours de Litt. Dramat., v. 255.
