His mother's aged sire, and, sullied so,

Married Alkmené, she who gave me birth.

Now, when the basis of a family

Is not laid right, what follows needs must fall;

And Zeus, whoever Zeus is, formed me foe

To Heré (take not thou offence, old man!

Since father, in Zeus' stead, account I thee)

And, while I was at suck yet, frightful snakes

She introduced among my swaddling-clothes,—

That bedfellow of Zeus!—to end me so.