O ye, the partners of one nuptial bed,
Happy Amphitryon, sprung from mortal race,
And Jove, who rushed to the embrace
Of bright Alcmena; for of thee aright,
Though erst, O Jove, I doubted, was it said
Thou didst enjoy that beauteous dame;
With the renown his triumphs claim,
Time through the world displays Alcides’ might,
Emerged from grisly Pluto’s realms abhorred,
Who quits the darksome caverns of the earth,
To me a far more welcome lord,
Than yon vile tyrant of ignoble birth.
Now to the bloody strife we lift our eyes;
The vengeful sword is bared, if Justice haunt the skies.
SEMICHOR. Ha! are we all by the same panic seized?
My aged friends, what spectre, hovering o’er
The palace, do I see? Those tardy feet
Raise from the ground, precipitate thy flight,
Be gone.—From me, O Pæan, mighty king,
Avert these evils.