Terribly the lion struggled; but the
strong hands of the hero held around its throat until it
struggled no more.
Then Heracles stripped off that impenetrable skin from the lion's
body; he put it upon himself for a cloak. Then, as he went
through the forest, he pulled up a young oak tree and trimmed it
and made a club for himself. With the lion's skin over him--that
skin that no spear or arrow could pierce--and carrying the club
in his hand he journeyed on until he came to the palace of King
Eurystheus.
The king, seeing coming toward him a towering man all covered
with the hide of a monstrous lion, ran and hid himself in a great
jar. He lifted the lid up to ask the servants what was the
meaning of this terrible appearance. And the servants told him
that it was Heracles come back with the skin of the lion of
Nemea. On hearing this Eurystheus hid himself again.
He would not speak with Heracles nor have him come near him, so
fearful was he. But Heracles was content to be left alone. He sat
down in the palace and feasted himself.
The servants came to the king; Eurystheus lifted the lid of the
jar and they told him how Heracles was feasting and devouring all
the goods in the palace. The king flew into a rage, but still he
was fearful of having the hero before him. He issued commands
through his heralds ordering Heracles to go forth at once and
perform the second of his tasks.
It was to slay the great water snake that made its lair in the
swamps of Lerna.
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