'Tis
mountain
wolves', not horses' food!
Euripides - Alcestis
HERACLES.
Well, I have looked on peril's face before.
LEADER.
What profit hast thou in such manslaying?
HERACLES.
I shall bring back the horses to my King.
LEADER.
'Twere none such easy work to bridle them.
HERACLES.
Not easy? Have they nostrils breathing flame?
LEADER.
They tear men's flesh; their jaws are swift with blood.
HERACLES.
Men's flesh!
'Tis mountain wolves', not horses' food!
LEADER.
Thou wilt see their mangers clogged with blood, like mire.
HERACLES.
And he who feeds such beasts, who was his sire?
LEADER.
Ares, the war-lord of the Golden Targe.
HERACLES.
Enough! --This labour fitteth well my large
Fortune, still upward, still against the wind.
How often with these kings of Ares' kind
Must I do battle? First the dark wolf-man,
Lycaon; then 'twas he men called The Swan;
And now this man of steeds! . . . Well, none shall see
Alcmena's son turn from his enemy.
