I also will go with thee; for I like thee am minded, so it seems, to be there and help my friends.Servant (of Hyllus)It least of all becomes thee thus to utter words of folly.IolausFar less to shrink from sharing with my friends the stubborn fight.Servant (of Hyllus)Mere looks can wound no one, if the arm do naught.IolausWhy, cannot I smite even through their shields?Servant (of Hyllus)Smite perhaps, more likely be smitten thyself.IolausNo foe will dare to meet me face to face.Servant (of Hyllus)Friend, the strength, that erst was thine, is thine no more,IolausWell, at any rate, I will fight with as many as ever I did.Servant (of Hyllus)Small the weight thou canst throw into the balance for thy friends.IolausDetain me not, when I have girded myself for action.Servant (of Hyllus)The power to act is thine no more, the will maybe is there.IolausStay here I will not, say what elseBadham proposed τἀμὰ for τἄλλα. thou wiltServant (of Hyllus)How shalt thou show thyself before the troops unarmed?IolausThere be captured arms within this shrine; these will I use, and, if I live, restore; and, if I am slain, the god will not demand them of me back. Go thou within, and from its peg take down a suit of armour and forthwith bring it to me. To linger thus at home is infamous, while some go fight, and others out of cowardice remain behind. [Exit Servant.

ChorusNot yet hath time laid low thy spirit, ’tis young as ever; but thy body’s strength is gone. Why toil to no purpose? ’Twill do thee hurt and benefit our city little. At thy age thou shouldst confess thy error and let impossibilities alone. Thou canst in no way get thy vigour back again.AlcmenaWhat means this mad resolve to leave me with my children undefended here?IolausMen must fight; and thou must look to them.AlcmenaAnd what if thou art slain? what safety shall I find?IolausThy son’s surviving children will care for thee.AlcmenaSuppose they meet with some reverse? which Heaven forefend!IolausThese strangers will not give thee up, fear not.AlcmenaThey are my last and only hope, I have no other.IolausZeus too, I feel sure, cares for thy sufferings.AlcmenaAh! of Zeus will I never speak ill, but himself doth know, whether he is just to me.Servant (of Hyllus)Lo! here thou seest a full coat of mail; make haste to case thyself therein; for the strife is nigh, and bitterly doth Ares loathe loiterers; but if thou fear the weight of the armour, go for the present without it, and in the ranks do on this gear; meantime will I carry it.