X.THE LABOURS OF HERCULES.
The Nemean lion.
55.Li the Valley of Nemea there lived a huge lion, and it used to kill cattle and human beings daily. Eurystheus, king of Tiryus, called Hercules to him and said to him, ‘Let it be thy care to kill this lion as quickly as possible.’ Hercules at once sets out. After using his club and arrows in vain, having made a rush, he killed the lion with his hands. Then he returned to Eurystheus, carrying the dead lion placed on his shoulders.
The Lernean Hydra.
56.Once there lived in a swamp a water snake. It had nine heads. Hercules, indeed, cut off eight heads, but he was unable to wound the ninth, for it was immortal. Each head having been cut off, two (others) at once grew up (in its stead). These at length having been destroyed by fire, Hercules buried the immortal head under a huge stone. The beast having been thus utterly conquered, he dipped his arrows in its poisonous blood.
The Erymanthian boar.
57.There appeared on Mount Erymanthus a boar of wondrous size. Having been ordered to catch it, Hercules at once set out. Having for a long time followed the boar through the snows, he was at length able to catch it (when) entangled in a snare, and brought it to Eurystheus.
The Arcadian stag.
58.There was in Arcadia a stag with golden antlers, but with brazen feet. Hercules had been ordered by Eurystheus to follow it. He followed the stag in vain throughout a whole year; at length he wounded (it) with an arrow (and) took it.
The stables of Augeas.
59.Augeas, king of Elis, had three thousand oxen. Their stalls had not been washed for thirty years. Hercules approached
