ALCESTIS 215
" Have courage ! " interposed the friends. " For him I have no scruple to declare — all this 470
Will he perform, except he fail of sense."
" All this shall be — shall be ! " Admetos sohhed:
" Fear not ! And, since I had thee living, dead
Alone wilt thou be called my wife : no fear
That some Thessalian ever styles herself 475
Bride, hails this man for husband in thy place !
No woman, be she of such lofty line
Or such surpassing beauty otherwise !
Enough of children : gain from these I have,
Such only may the Gods grant ! since in thee 48o
Absolute is our loss, where all was gain.
And I shall bear for thee no year-long grief,
But grief that lasts while my own days last, love !
Love ! For my hate is she who bore me, now :
And him I hate, my father : loving-ones 485
Truly, in word not deed ! But thou didst pay
All dearest to thee down, and buy my life.
Saving me so ! Is there not cause enough
That I who part with such companionship
In thee, should make my moan ? I moan, and more :
For I will end the f eastings — social flow 491
O' the wine friends flock for, garlands and the Muse
That graced my dwelling. Never now for me
To touch the lyre, to lift my soul in song
At summons of the Lydian flute ; since thou 495
From out my life hast emptied all the joy !
And this thy body, in thy likeness wrought
By some wise hand of the artificers.
Shall lie disposed within my marriage-bed :
This I will fall on, this enfold about, 500
Call by thy name, — my dear wife in my arms
