That your much-admired husband will soon come to your house, revealed in his victorious might. Deianeira From what citizen or what stranger did you learn these tidings? Messenger In the meadow, the summer haunt of oxen, Lichas the herald is proclaiming it to many. From him I heard it, and dashed away so that, in all honesty, having been the first to report this news, I might profit in some way by you and win your favor. Deianeira And why is he not here, if he is so successful? Messenger He does not, my lady, enjoy ease of movement. The entire Malian populace stands about him in a circle and questions him, and he cannot move forward. Each person is bent on learning according to his desire, and will not release the man until he has heard his pleasure. Thus against his wishes, but in keeping with theirs, he is with them. Yet you will soon see him face to face. Deianeira O Zeus, ruler of the sacred uncut meadow of Oeta, at last, though after much delay, you have given us joy! Uplift your voices, you women within the house and you beyond our gates, since now we enjoy the brightness of this message, which has risen on us beyond my hope! Chorus Let the brides of tomorrow raise a joyous cry for the house with shouts of triumph at the hearth. Among them let the yell of the men go up in unison for Apollo of the bright quiver, our defender! And at the same time, maidens, lift up a paean, cry aloud to his sister, Ortygian Artemis, huntress of deer, goddess with torch in each hand, and to the nymphs her neighbors!
 I am uplifted, I will not spurn the flute—O you master of my heart! Behold, his ivy stirs me! Euoe! Quickly it wheels me round in Bacchus’s race! Oh, oh, Paean! Look, dear lady! All is taking shape, plain to see, before your gaze. Deianeira I see it, dear maidens; the sight has not escaped my watchful eyes. I see that procession. I bid the herald joyous welcome after his long absence!—if indeed you bring anything that gives joy. Enter Lichas, followed by captive maidens. Lichas We are happy in our return, and happy in your greeting, lady, in accordance with the deed achieved. For when a man has fair fortune, it is his right to win good welcome. Deianeira Most welcome man, tell me first what first I would know—shall I receive Heracles alive? Lichas I certainly left him alive and well, in vigorous health, unburdened by disease. Deianeira Where, tell me—in his ancestral land, or on barbarian soil? Lichas There is a headland of Euboea , where to Cenaean Zeus he marks out altars and fruitful ground in tribute. Deianeira In payment of a vow, or at the command of an oracle? Lichas For a vow, made when he was seeking to conquer and plunder the country of these women whom you see before you. Deianeira And these—who are they, by the gods, and whose daughters? They deserve pity, unless their misfortune deceives me. Lichas These are captives whom he selected as choice spoils for himself and for the gods when he sacked the city of Eurytus. Deianeira Was it in fact the war against that city which kept him away so long, beyond all forecast, past all count of days? Lichas No. The greater part of the time he was detained in Lydia , no free man, as he declares, but sold into servitude. No offense should be taken at my tale, lady, when the deed is found to be Zeus’ work. He passed a whole year, as he himself says, a bought slave to the barbarian Omphale. And so stung was he by the shame of it, that he bound himself by a solemn oath, swearing one day to enslave with wife and child the man who had brought that suffering upon him. And not in vain did he speak the oath; but, when he had been purified, he gathered a mercenary army and went against the city of Eurytus. For, Heracles asserted, that man alone of mortals had a share in causing his suffering. For when Heracles, a guest-friend of long standing, came to his house and hearth, Eurytus roared against him with insults of ruinous intent,