My son, remove that mantle from your eyes, throw it from you, show your face to the sun. As a counterweight, fighting along with my tears, I entreat you as a suppliant, as I grasp your beard, your knees, your hands, and let fall the tear from my old eyes. O my child! restrain your savage lion-like temper, for you are rushing forth on an unholy course of bloodshed, eager to join mischief to mischief, child.TheseusWhat! Enough! To you I call who are huddled there in your misery, show to your friends your face; for no darkness is black enough to hide your sad mischance. Why do you wave your hand at me, signifying murder? is it that I may not be polluted by speaking with you? If I share your misfortune, what is that to me? For once I had good fortune with you. I must refer to the time when you brought me safe from the dead to the light of life. I hate a friend whose gratitude grows old; one who is ready to enjoy his friends’ prosperity but unwilling to sail in the same ship with them when they are unfortunate. Arise, unveil your head, poor wretch! and look on me. The gallant soul endures such blows as heaven deals and does not refuse them.HeraclesO Theseus, did you see this struggle with my children?TheseusI heard of it, and now I see the horrors you mean.HeraclesWhy then have you unveiled my head to the sun?TheseusWhy have I? you, a mortal, can not pollute what is of the gods.HeraclesTry to escape, luckless wretch, from my unholy taint.TheseusThe avenging fiend does not go forth from friend to friend.HeraclesFor this I thank you; I do not regret the service I did you.TheseusWhile I, for kindness then received, now show my pity for you.HeraclesAh yes! I am piteous object, a murderer of my sons.TheseusI weep for you in your changed fortunes.HeraclesDid you ever find another more afflicted?TheseusYour misfortunes reach from earth to heaven.HeraclesTherefore I am resolved on death.TheseusDo you suppose the gods attend to your threats?HeraclesThe god has been remorseless to me; so I will be the same to the gods.TheseusHush! lest your presumption add to your sufferings.HeraclesMy ship is freighted full with sorrow; there is no room to stow anything further.TheseusWhat will you do? Where is your fury drifting you?HeraclesI will die and return to that world below from which I have just come.TheseusSuch language is fit for any common fellow.HeraclesAh! yours is the advice of one outside sorrow.TheseusAre these indeed the words of Heracles, the much-enduring?HeraclesThough never so much as this. Endurance must have a limit.