Mess. Ho, then! Look here. Dost know to whom thou speak'st?
Lichas. And thou, why ask'st thou question such as this?
Mess. Be bold, and speak, if thou my meaning see'st.
Lichas. I speak unto the queenly Deianeira,
Daughter of Œneus, wife of Heracles,
My mistress too, unless I see amiss.
Mess. 'Twas this I wished to learn from thee. Thou say'st
That she stands here, thy mistress?
Lichas. Rightly so.
Mess. Well, then, what forfeit wilt thou rightly pay,410
If thou be found as one doing wrong to her?
Lichas. "Doing wrong!" What cunning riddles, pray, are these?
Mess. None here, 'tis thou hast gone too far in that.
Lichas. I go: I was a fool to list so long.
Mess. Not so, before thou answerest one small word.
Lichas. Say what thou wilt. Thou art not taciturn.
Mess. That captive whom thou broughtest to this house,
Dost thou know her?
Lichas. E'en so. Why askest thou?
Mess. Did'st thou not say that she whom thou did'st bring,
*On whom thou look'st with such blank ignorance,
Was Iole, the child of Eurytos?420
Lichas. Among what men? Say, who and whence is he
Shall come and witness that he heard me say it?
Mess. Full many a townsman: In the market-place
Of Trachis all the crowd did hear thy speech.
