IOL. I am an old man, and by no means strong.
SERV. But I am come, bearing to you a great joy.
IOL. And who art thou, where having met you, do I forget you?
SERV. I am a poor servant of Hyllus; do you not recognize me, seeing me?
IOL. O dearest one, dost thou then come as a savior to us from injury?
SERV. Surely; and moreover you are prosperous as to the present state of affairs.
IOL. O mother of a doughty son, I mean Alcmena, come forth, hear these most welcome words; for you have been long wasting away as to your soul in anxiety concerning those who have come hither, where they would ever arrive.[[19]]
ALCMENA. Wherefore has a mighty shout filled all this house? O Iolaus, does any herald, coming from Argos, again do you violence? my strength indeed is weak, but thus much you must know, O stranger, you shall never drag these away while I am living, else may I no longer be thought to be his mother; but if you touch them with your hand, you will have no honorable contest with two old people.
IOL. Be of good cheer, old woman; fear not, the herald is not come from Argos bearing hostile words.
ALC. Why then did you raise a shout, a messenger of fear?