Page:Masterpieces of Greek Literature (1902).djvu/261

231 ALCESTIS 231

From this stern mood, this shrunk-up state of mind,

The pit-pat fall o' the flagon-juice down throat

Soon will dislodge thee from bad harborage !

Men being mortal should think mortal-like : 1455

Since to your solemn, brow-contracting sort,

All of them, — so I lay down law at least, —

Life is not truly life but misery."

Whereto the man icith softened siirliness :

" We know as much : but deal with matters, now, ueo

Hardly befitting mirth and revelry."

" No intimate, this woman that is dead :

Mourn not too much ! For, those o' the house itself,

Thy masters live, remember ! "

" Live indeed ? Ah, thou know'st nought o' the woe within these walls ! "

" I do — unless thy master spoke me false i466

Somehow ! "

" Ay, ay, too much he loves a guest, " Too much, that master mine I " so muttered he.

" Was it improper he should treat me well.

Because an alien corpse was in the way ? " 1470

" No alien, but most intimate indeed ! "

" Can it be, some woe was, he told me not ? "

" Farewell and go thy way ! Thy cares for thee — To us, our master's sorrow is a care."

" This word begins no tale of alien woe ! " 1475

" Had it been other woe than intimate,

I could have seen thee feast, nor felt amiss."

" What ! have I suffered strangely from my host? " " Thou cam'st not at a fit reception-time : With sorrow here beforehand : and thou seest i48o Shorn hair, black robes."