Page:Masterpieces of Greek Literature (1902).djvu/277

247 ALCESTIS 247

Ο, he might speak and have response, in time I All heart could wish was gained now — life for death : Only, the rapture must not grow immense : 1*1

Take care, nor wake the envy of the Gods I " ^

" Ο thou, of greatest Zeus true son," — so spoke

Admetos when the dosing word must come,

" Go ever in a glory of success, ωί»

And save, that sire, his offspring to the end !

For thou hast — only thou — raised me and mine

Up again to this light and life I " Then asked ^

Tremblingly, how was trod the perilous path

Out of the dark into the light and life :• 2000

How it had happened with Alkestis there.

And Herakles said little, but enough —

How he engaged in combat with that king

O' the daemons : how the field of contest lay 2004

By the tomb's self : how he sprang from ambuscade,

Captured Death, caught him in that pair of hands.

Bvt all the tiine, Alkestis moved not once

Out of the set gaze and the silent smile ;

And a cold /ear ran through Admetos^ frame :

" Why does she stand and front me, silent thus ? " ^ 2010

Herakles solemnly replied " Not yet Is it allowable thou hear the things She has to tell thee ; let evanish quite That consecration to the lower Gods,

^ A proud heart called down the vengeance of Nemesis.

2 Verses 199S-2006 are a paraphrase.

3 The poet gives an explanation of the silence of Alcestis, which was necessary, since the actor who had taken this part was otherwise occupied.