Hercules was a very strong man beyond other men’s strength, and he had
a wife who caused him much trouble.
One day he went off suddenly and entered a great forest where he found
bears and lions and very fierce wild beasts. He tore them apart, and
killed them all with his mighty strength. No beast did he find strong
enough to be able to protect itself from him.
And he remained a long time in this forest.
He returned to his wife and house with his garments all torn and
wearing lion skins on his back. His wife came forward to meet him,
making great festivity, and began to say: welcome, my lord, what news
have you?
And Hercules replied: I come from the forest. I have found all the wild
beasts more gentle than you, for I have subdued all those I have come
across save you. Indeed it is you who have subdued me. You are
therefore the strongest thing [130] I have ever encountered, for you
have conquered him who has conquered all the others.