Heracles Mad (600-617)

and let your father’s halls behold your face. For soon the king will be here in person to drag away your wife and children and murder them, and to add me to the bloody list. But if you remain on the spot all will go well, and you will profit by this security; but do not rouse

your city before you have these matters well in train, my son.

I will do so; your advice is good; I will enter my house. After my return at length from the sunless den of Hades and the maiden queen of hell, I will not neglect to greet first of all the gods beneath my roof.

Did you really go to the house of Hades, my son?

Yes, and brought to the light that three-headed monster.

Did you conquer him in fight, or receive him from the goddess?

In fight; for I had been lucky enough to witness the rites of the initiated.

Is the monster really lodged in the house of Eurystheus?

The grove of Demeter and the city of Hermione have him now.

Eurystheus does not know that you have returned to the upper world?

He does not; I came here first to learn your news.