Page:Masterpieces of Greek Literature (1902).djvu/272

242 242 EURIPIDES •

Make her to enter, lead her life within The chamber of the dead one, all apart ? How shall I introduce this other, couch This where Alkestis lay ? A double blame 1855

I apprehend : first, from the citizens — • Lest some tongue of them taunt that I betray My benefactress, fall into the snare Of a new fresh face : then, the dead one's self, — Will she not blame me likewise ? Worthy, sure, leeo Of worship from me ! circumspect my ways, And jealous of a fault, are bound to be. But thou, — Ο woman, whosoe'er thou art, Know, thou hast all the form, art like as like Alkestis, in the bodily shape ! Ah me ! lees

Take, — by the Gods, — this woman from my sight. Lest thou undo me, the undone before ! Since I seem — seeing her — as if I saw My own wife ! And confusions cloud my heart. And from my eyes the springs break forth ! Ah me 1870

Unhappy — how I taste for the first time My misery in all its bitterness! "

WTiereat the friends conferred : " The chance, in

truth, Was an untoward one — none said otherwise. Still, what a God comes giving, good or bad, isrs

That, one should take and bear with. Take her,

then ! "

Herakles, — not imfastemng his hold

On that same misery, beyond mistake

Hoarse in the words^ convulsive in theface^ —

" I would that I had such a power," said he, iseo