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215 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