Nor her best virtue. Is the earth s mouth full?
Is the grave satisfied ? Discrown me then,
For life is lord, and men may mock the gods
With immortality." " I sue no more,
But I command thee spare this woman s life,
Or wrestle with Alcides." " Wrestle with thee,
Thou puny boy ! " And Death laughed loud, and swelled
To monstrous bulk, fierce-eyed, with outstretched wings,
And lightnings round his brow ; but grave and firm,
Strong as a tower, Alcides waited him,
And these began to wrestle, and a cloud
Impenetrable fell, and all was dark.
" Farewell, Admetus and my little son,
Eumelus, O these clinging baby hands !
Thy loss is bitter, for no chance, no fame,
No wealth of love, can ever compensate
For a dead mother. Thou, O king, fulfill
The double duty : love him with my love,
And make him bold to wrestle, shiver spears,
Noble and manly, Grecian to the bone ;
And tell him that his mother spake with gods.
Farewell, farewell ! Mine eyes are growing blind :
The darkness gathers. O my heart, my heart! "
