Oh, bring ye heavy stones from every side

And hurl them at my wretched head; and so

O'erwhelm at last my woes. Ungrateful world,

Dost thou refuse? Hast thou forgot me quite?

Thou wouldst thyself have been a helpless prey

To evil monsters, had not I been born.

Then, O ye peoples, rescue me from ill,1335

Your champion. This chance is given you,

By slaying me to cancel all you owe.

[Enter Alcmena.]