Lichas What are thy commands? Give me my charge, daughter of Oeneus; for already I have tarried over long.

Deianeira Indeed, I have just been seeing to this for thee, Lichas, while thou wast speaking to the stranger maidens in the house; - that thou shouldest take for me this long robe, woven by mine own hand, a gift to mine absent lord.

And when thou givest it, charge him that he, and no other, shall be the first to wear it; that it shall not be seen by the light of the sun, nor by the sacred precinct, nor by the fire at the hearth, until he stand forth, conspicuous before all eyes, and show it to the gods on a day when bulls are slain.

For thus had I vowed, - that if I should ever see or hear that he had come safely home, I would duly clothe him in this robe, and so present him to the gods, newly radiant at their altar in new garb.

As proof, thou shalt carry a token, which he will quickly recognise within the circle of this seal.

Now go thy way; and, first, remember the rule that messengers should not be meddlers; next, so bear thee that my thanks may be joined to his doubling the grace which thou shalt win.

Lichas Nay, if I ply this herald-craft of Hermes with any sureness, I will never trip in doing thine errand: I will not fail to deliver this casket as it is, and to add thy words in attestation of thy gift.

Deianeira Thou mayest be going now; for thou knowest well how things are with us in the house.

Lichas I know, and will report, that all hath prospered.

Deianeira And then thou hast seen the greeting given to the stranger maiden-thou knowest how I welcomed her?

Lichas So that my heart was filled with wondering joy.

Deianeira What more, then, is there for thee to tell? I am afraid that it would be too soon to speak of the longing on my part, before we know if I am longed for there.