The art of ruling chiefly lies in this:
The power to bear the people's hate unmoved.
Let me make trial then. Occasion smiles,
For she herself, in mourning vestments clad,355
Stands by the altars of her guardian gods,
While near at hand Alcides' father waits.
Megara [seeing Lycus, aside]: What new outrage does yonder wretch prepare,
The pestilent destroyer of our race?
Lycus: O thou, who bear'st a name illustrious360
From royal stock, with patient ear awhile