Hercules could not excel his sons in shooting with the bow, for all that
he had arrows that missed not their aim. And next he reviled him, for
that he was but a slave who served a free man, even King Eurystheus, his
brother. And at the last, at a banquet, when Hercules was overcome with
wine, the King cast him forth. Wherefore Hercules, being very wroth,
slew the man. For the King came to the land of Tiryns, looking for
certain horses, and Hercules caught him unawares, having his thoughts
one way and his eyes another, and cast him down from the cliff that he
died. Then Zeus was very wroth because he had slain him by craft, as he
had never slain any man before, and caused that he should be sold for a
year as a bond-slave to Queen Omphalé. And when the year was ended, and
Hercules was free, he vowed a vow that he would destroy this city from
which there had come to him this disgrace; which vow he accomplished.
And these women whom thou seest are the captives of his spear. And as
for himself, be sure that thou wilt see him in no long space."

When Lichas had thus spoken, the Queen looked upon the captives, and had
compassion on them, praying to the Gods that such an evil thing might
not befall her children, or if, haply, it should befall them, she might
be dead before. And seeing that there was one among them who surpassed
the others in beauty, being tall and fair exceedingly, as if she were
the daughter of a king, she would fain know who she was; and when the
woman answered not a word, she would have the herald tell her. But he
made as if he knew nothing at all; only that she seemed to be well born,
and that from the first she had spoken nothing, but wept continually.
And the Queen pitied her, and said that they should not trouble her, but
take her into the palace and deal kindly with her, lest she should have
sorrow upon sorrow.

But Lichas having departed for a space, the messenger that came at the