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While still thy hands are burning for the deed. 435
Nurse: Wilt kill thy husband?
Deianira: And my rival's too.
Nurse: The son of Jove?
Deianira: Alcmena's son as well.
Nurse: With the sword?
Deianira: The sword.
Nurse: If not?
Deianira: With guile I'll slay.
Nurse: What madness this?
Deianira: That which I learned of him.
Nurse: Whom Juno could not harm wilt thou destroy? 440
Deianira: Celestial anger only wretched makes
Those whom it touches; mortal wrath destroys.
Nurse: Oh, spare thy husband, wretched one, and fear.
Deianira: The one who first has learned the scorn of death,
Scorns everything. 'Tis sweet to meet the sword.
Nurse: Thy grief is all too great, my foster-child;
Let not his fault claim more than equal hate. 445
Why dost so sternly judge a light offense?
Nay, suit thy grieving to thine injury.
Deianira: But dost thou call a mistress light offense?
Of all that feeds my grief, count this the worst.
Nurse: And has thy love for great Alcides fled?
Deianira: Not fled, dear nurse, believe me; still it lies 450
Securely fixed within my inmost heart.
But outraged love is poignant misery.
Nurse: By magic arts united to their prayers
Do wives full oft their wandering husbands bind.
I have myself in midst of winter's cold
Commanded trees to clothe themselves in green,
The thunderbolt to stop; I've roused the sea 455
When no wind blew, and calmed the swollen waves;
The thirsty plain has opened at my touch
To springs of water; rocks give way to me,
And doors fly open; when I bid them stand
The shades of hell obey, and talk with me;
The infernal dog is still at my command; 460
Midnight has seen the sun, midday the night.