But while he lamented, there came men bearing Hercules in a litter.  He was asleep, for the pain had left him for a space, and the old man that was guide to the company was earnest with Hyllus that he should not wake his father.  Nevertheless, Hercules heard the young man’s voice, and his sleep left him.  Then he cried aloud in his agony, complaining to Zeus that he had suffered such a torment to come upon him, and reproaching them that stood by that they gave him not a sword wherewith he might make an end to his pain.  But most of all he cursed his wife that she had wrought him such woe, saying to Hyllus—­

“See now, my son, how that this treacherous woman hath worked such pain to me as I have never endured before in all the earth, through which, as thou knowest, I have journeyed, cleansing it from all manner of monsters.  And now thou seest how I, who have subdued all things, weep and cry as doth a girl.  And these hands and arms, with which I slew the lion that wasted the land of Nemea and the great dragon of Lerna, and dragged into the light the three-headed dog that guardeth the gate of hell, see how these, which no man yet hath vanquished in fight, are wasted and consumed with the fire.  But there is one thing which they shall yet do, for I will slay her that wrought this deed.”

Then Hyllus made answer, “My father, suffer me to speak, for I have that to tell thee of my mother which thou shouldest hear.”

“Speak on; but beware that thou show not thyself vile, excusing her.”

[Illustration:  Hercules on mount Oeta.]

“She is dead.”

“Who slew her?  This is a strange thing thou tellest.”

“She slew herself with her own hand.”

“’Tis ill done.  Would that I had slain her myself!”

“Thy heart will be changed towards her when thou hearest all.”

“This is strange indeed; but say on.”

“All that she did she did with good intent.”

“With good intent, thou wicked boy, when she slew her husband?”

“She sought to keep thy love, fearing that thy heart was turned to another.”

“And who of the men of Trachis is so cunning in leechcraft?”

“The Centaur Nessus gave her the poison long since, saying that she might thus win back thy love.”

And when Hercules heard this he cried aloud, “Then is my doom come; for long since it was prophesied to me that I should not die by the hand of any living creature, but by one that dwelt in the region of the dead.  And now this Centaur, whom I slew long ago, hath slain me in turn.  And now, my son, hearken unto me.  Thou knowest the hill of Oeta.  Carry me thither thyself, taking also such of thy friends as thou wilt have with thee.  And build there a great pile of oak and wild olive, and lay me thereon, and set fire thereto.  And take heed that thou shed no tear nor utter a cry, but work this deed in silence, if, indeed, thou art my true son:  and if thou doest not so, my curse shall be upon thee for ever.”