Sophocles, Trachiniae
Sir Richard Jebb, Ed.

Chorus
Fear is necessary when terrible deeds are done, but one should not judge one's expectations before the outcome is known.

Deianeira
[725] There is no room for expectation when one's plans are bad, at least the kind of expectation which lends confidence.

Chorus
And yet in the case of those whose mistakes were unwitting, men's anger is softened. So it should be for you.

Deianeira
No, such words are not for one who took part in the wrongdoing, [730] but only for him who has no trouble at his own door.

Chorus
It would suit you to refrain from saying anything more, unless you would reveal anything to your own son. For he is here, the one who earlier went to seek his father.

Hyllus
O Mother, how I wish I could choose one of three fates for you! [735] I wish that you no longer lived, or, if you remained, that someone else called you “Mother”, or that some new and kinder heart had been exchanged for your present one!

Deianeira
My son, what have I done to cause your hate?

Hyllus
Listen to me! You have killed [740] your husband, my father—my father!

Deianeira
oh, no! What is this you have blurted out, Hyllus?

Hyllus
Only what cannot but be fulfilled. For who could undo what has happened?

Deianeira
What do you mean, son? From whom did you hear this [745] that you charge me with a crime so awful?

Hyllus
I have seen my father's overwhelming misfortune with my own eyes. I did not learn of it by hearsay.

Deianeira
Where did you find him? Where were you with him?