"Such are the burdens misfortune brings to the mortals!"
Amphitryon is explaining his perilous situation as he and his daughter-in-law and grandsons attempt to outlast their executions Lykos on the steps of the temple of Zeus.
"And I was not forsaken by Fortune, so far as my father was concerned. He was rich and he was a king and, for that, people called him blessed but because of this blessedness, his wealth and his throne, long spears were hurled against him. That is what men jealous of prosperity do to those who are blessed with it."
Megara states very clearly these facts of her father's, Creon's, murder by Lykos from out of jealousy. She is stating that from the great blessing of wealth and power came the curse of enemies that would stop at nothing to take away his life to gain both.
"Time! In time, my daughter, good pathways might emerge which lead us away from our misery. My son, your husband, Heracles, might return, in time!"
Amphitryon is an old man, and claims that time is on their side. However, the reality is that there is no talking or reasoning their way out of this situation. Their death seems imminent and yet he continues to hope for his son to return from Hades in time to save them all.
