Thereupon King Eurystheus sent him upon the fifth labor, which: was one
little worthy of a hero. It was to clean the stables of Augeas in a
single day.
Augeas was king in Elis and had great herds of cattle. These herds were
kept, according to the custom, in a great inclosure before the palace.
Three thousand cattle were housed there, and as the stables had not been
cleaned for many years, so much manure had accumulated that it seemed an
insult to ask Hercules to clean them in one day.
When the hero stepped before King Augeas and without telling him
anything of the demands of Eurystheus, pledged himself to the task, the
latter measured the noble form in the lion-skin and could hardly refrain
from laughing when he thought of so worthy a warrior undertaking so
menial a work. But he said to himself: "Necessity has driven many a
brave man; perhaps this one wishes to enrich himself through me. That
will help him little. I can promise him a large reward if he cleans out
the stables, for he can in one day clear little enough." Then he spoke
confidently:
"Listen, O stranger. If you clean all of my stables in one day, I will
give over to you the tenth part of all my possessions in cattle."
Hercules accepted the offer, and the king expected to see him begin to
shovel. But Hercules, after he had called the son of Augeas to witness
the agreement, tore the foundations away from one side of the stables;
directed to it by means of a canal the streams of Alpheus and Peneus
that flowed near by; and let the waters carry away the filth through
another opening. So he accomplished the menial work without stooping to
anything unworthy of an immortal.
When Augeas learned that this work had been done in the service of
Eurystheus, he refused the reward and said that he had not promised it;
but he declared himself ready to have the question settled in court.
When the judges were assembled, Phyleus, commanded by Hercules to
appear, testified against his father, and explained how he had agreed to
offer Hercules a reward. Augeas did not wait for the decision; he grew
angry and commanded his son as well as the stranger to leave his kingdom
instantly.