pelled Hercules to attack and storm Œchalia. Such is the whole truth, concludes this ancient mischief-maker, which it has been his painful duty to tell—at all costs.
Lichas now comes to ask his mistress if she has any parting message for Hercules; and Dejanira confronts him with his falsehood. He protests and denies, and repeats his former story. Then Dejanira, with a woman's duplicity, bids him speak out and fear nothing. She knows the ways of men—she knows the power of love—she knows the amorous temper of her husband:—
"Has he not,
Our Hercules, of all the men that lived,
Wedded most wives, and yet not one of them
Has had from me or evil speech or taunt?
Nor will she have; though she in love for him
Should melt and pine—for lo! I pitied her
When first I saw her, for her beauty's sake:
For it, I knew, had wrecked her life's fond hope,
And she, poor soul, against her will, had wrought
The ruin of her fatherland, and brought
Its people into bondage. Let all this
Go to the winds. For thee, I bid thee, I,
Be false to others, but to me be true."—(P.)
Lichas is completely deceived by this speech, and is persuaded that Dejanira will resign herself quietly to her fate. Accordingly he confirms what the messenger had already told her; but, like a good servant, he makes out the best case he can for his master.
"Well then, dear mistress, since I see that thou,
