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But； when this bride was to be won； who were the valiant rivals
that entered the contest for her hand？ Who went forth to the ordeal of
battle； to the fierce blows and the blinding dust？
antistrophe
One was a mighty river…god； the dread form of a horned and
four…legged bull； Achelous； from Oeniadae： the other came from
Thebe； dear to Bacchus； with curved bow； and spears； and brandished
club； the son of Zeus： who then met in combat； fain to win a bride：
and the Cyprian goddess of nuptial joy was there with them； sole
umpire of their strife。
epode
Then was there clatter of fists and clang of bow； and the noise of
bull's horns therewith； then were there close…locked grapplings； and
deadly blows from the forehead； and loud deep cries from both。
Meanwhile； she； in her delicate beauty； sat on the side of a
hill that could be seen afar； awaiting the husband that should be
hers。
So the battle rages； as I have told； but the fair bride who is the
prize of the strife abides the end in piteous anguish。 And suddenly
she is parted from her mother； as when a heifer is taken from its dam。
（DEIANEIRA enters from the house alone； carrying in her arms a
casket containing a robe。）
DEIANEIRA
Dear friends； while our visitor is saying his farewell to the
captive girls in the house； I have stolen forth to you；… partly to
tell you what these hands have devised； and partly to crave your
sympathy with my sorrow。
A maiden；… or； methinks； no longer a maiden； but a mistress；… hath
found her way into my house； as a freight comes to a mariner；… a
merchandise to make shipwreck of my peace。 And now we twain are to
share the same marriage…bed； the same embrace。 Such is the reward that
Heracles hath sent me；… he whom I called true and loyal；… for guarding
his home through all that weary time。 I have no thought of anger
against him； often as he is vexed with this distemper。 But then to
live with her； sharing the same union… what woman could endure it？ For
I see that the flower of her age is blossoming； while mine is
fading； and the eyes of men love to cull the bloom of youth； but
they turn aside from the old。 This； then； is my fear；… lest
Heracles； in name my spouse； should be the younger's mate。
But； as I said； anger ill beseems a woman of understanding。 I will
tell you； friends； the way by which I hope to find deliverance and
relief。 I had a gift； given to me long ago by a monster of olden time；
aid stored in an urn of bronze； a gift which； while yet a girl； I took
up from the shaggy…breasted Nessus；… from his life…blood； as he lay
dying； Nessus； who used to carry men in his arms across the deep
waters of the Evenus； using no oar to waft them； nor sail of ship。
I； too； was carried on his shoulders；… when； by my father's
sending； first went forth with Heracles as his wife； and when I was in
mid…stream； he touched me with wanton hands。 I shrieked； the son of
Zeus turned quickly round； and shot a feathered arrow； it whizzed
through his breast to the lungs； and； in his mortal faintness； thus
much the Centaur spake：…
'Child of aged Oeneus； thou shalt have at least this profit of
my ferrying；… if thou wilt hearken；…because thou wast the last whom
I conveyed。 If thou gatherest with thy hands the blood clotted round
my wound； at the place where the Hydra； Lerna's monstrous growth； hath
tinged the arrow with black gall；… this shall be to thee a charm for
the soul of Heracles； so that he shall never look upon any woman to
love her more than thee。'
I bethought me of this； my friends… for； after his death； I had
kept it carefully locked up in a secret place； and I have anointed
this robe； doing everything to it as he enjoined while he lived。 The
work is finished。 May deeds of wicked daring be ever far from my
thoughts； and from my knowledge；… as I abhor the women who attempt
them！ But if in any wise I may prevail against this girl by
love…spells and charms used on Heracles； the means to that end are
ready；…unless； indeed； I seem to be acting rashly： if so； I will
desist forthwith。
LEADER
Nay； if these measures give any ground of confidence； we think
that thy design is not amiss。
DEIANEIRA
Well； the ground stands thus；… there is a fair promise； but I have
not yet essayed the proof。
LEADER
Nay； knowledge must come through action； thou canst have no test
which is not fanciful； save by trial。
DEIANEIRA
Well； we shall know presently：… for there I see the man already at
the doors； and he will soon be going。… Only may my secret be well kept
by you！ While thy deeds are hidden； even though they be not seemly；
thou wilt never be brought to shame。
（LICHAS enters from the house。）
LICHAS
What are thy commands？ Give me my charge； daughter of Oeneus；
for already I have tarried over long。
DEIANEIRA
Indeed； I have just been seeing to this for thee； Lichas； while
thou wast speaking to the stranger maidens in the house；… that thou
shouldest take for me this long robe； woven by mine own hand； a gift
to mine absent lord。
And when thou givest it； charge him that he； and no other； shall
be the first to wear it； that it shall not be seen by the light of the
sun； nor by the sacred precinct； nor by the fire at the hearth；
until he stand forth； conspicuous before all eyes； and show it to
the gods on a day when bulls are slain。
For thus had I vowed；… that if I should ever see or hear that he
had come safely home； I would duly clothe him in this robe； and so
present him to the gods； newly radiant at their altar in new garb。
As proof； thou shalt carry a token； which he will quickly
recognise within the circle of this seal。
Now go thy way； and； first； remember the rule that messengers
should not be meddlers； next； so bear thee that my thanks may be
joined to his doubling the grace which thou shalt win。
LICHAS
Nay； if I ply this herald…craft of Hermes with any sureness； I
will never trip in doing thine errand： I will not fail to deliver this
casket as it is； and to add thy words in attestation of thy gift。
DEIANEIRA
Thou mayest be going now； for thou knowest well how things are
with us in the house。
LICHAS
I know； and will report； that all hath prospered。
DEIANEIRA
And then thou hast seen the greeting given to the stranger
maiden…thou knowest how I welcomed her？
LICHAS
So that my heart was filled with wondering joy。
DEIANEIRA
What more； then； is there for thee to tell？ I am afraid that it
would be too soon to speak of the longing on my part； before we know
if I am longed for there。
（LICHAS departs with the casket
and DEIANEIRA retires into the house。）
CHORUS （Singing）