THE MADNESS OF HERAKLES.
Amphitryon, Megara, and her three sons by Herakles, seated on the steps of the altar of Zeus the Deliverer.
Amphitryon.
Who knows not Zeus's couch-mate, who of men,
Argive Amphitryon, sprung from Perseus' son
Alkaius, father of great Herakles?
Here in Thebes dwelt he, whence the earth-born crop
Of Sown Men rose, scant remnant of whose race 5
The War-god spared to people Kadmus' town
With children of their children. Sprang from these
Kreon, Menœkeus' son, king of this land,
Kreon, the father of this Megara,
Whose spousals all the sons of Kadmus once 10
Acclaimed with flutes, what time unto mine halls
Glorious Herakles brought home his bride.
But Thebes, wherein I dwelt, and Megara,
And all his marriage-kin, my son forsook,
Yearning to dwell in Argive walls, the town 15
Cyclopian,[1] whence I am outlawed, since I slew
Elektryon: he, to lighten mine affliction,
- ↑ Mycenæ, whence Amphitryon, having accidentally slain Elektryon, his uncle, was banished by Sthenelus, father of Eurystheus.
