By the hand of one whom thou hast slain, some day,
Victorious Hercules, shalt thou lie low.
And he comforts himself with the reflection that such an end as this is meet, for
Thus shall no conqueror of Hercules
Survive to tell the tale.
He now bids Philoctetes prepare a mighty pyre on neighboring Mount Oeta, and there take and burn his body, still in life. Hyllus he bids to take the captive princess, Iole, to wife. He calls upon his mother, Alcmena, to comfort her grief by pride in her great son's deeds on earth, and the noble fame which he has gained thereby.
Third choral interlude.—The chorus prays for the early and safe return of Hercules from where he lingers:
Thence may lie come, yea, come with strong desire,
Tempered by suasive spell
Of that rich unguent, as the monster spake.