Page:Masterpieces of Greek Literature (1902).djvu/259

229 ALCESTIS 229

Did things stop there But, modest by no means,

He took what entertainment lay to hand,

Knowing of our misfortune, — did we fail 1290

In aught of the fit service, urged us serve

Just as a guest expects ! And in his hands

Taking the ivied goblet, drinks and drinks

The unmixed product of black mother-earth,

Until the blaze o' the wine went round about 1300

And warmed him : then he crowns with myrtle sprigs

His head, and howls discordance — twofold lay

Was thereupon for us to listen to —

This fellow singing, namely, nor restrained

A jot by sympathy with sorrows here — 1305

While we o' the household mourned our mistress —

mourned, That is to say, in silence — never showed The eyes, which we kept wetting, to the guest — For there Admetos was imperative. And so, here am I helping make at home lao

A guest, some fellow ripe for wickedness, Robber or pirate, while she goes her way Out of our house : and neither was it mine To follow in procession, nor stretch forth Hand, wave my lady dear a last farewell, ms

Lamenting who to me and all of us Domestics was a mother : myriad harms She used to ward away from every one. And mollify her husband's ireful mood. I ask then, do I justly hate or no 1320

This guest, this interloper on our grief ? "

/SO, he stood petting up his puny hate, 1395

Parent-icise, proud of the ill-favored hahe. ^ot long ! A great hand, careful lest it crush,