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248 248 EURIPIDES

And on onr upper world the third day rise ! 2015

Lead her in, meanwhile ; good and true thou art,

Good, true, remain thou ! Practise piety

To stranger-guests the old way ! So, farewell !

Since forth I fare, fulfil my urgent task

Set by the king, the son of Sthenelos." ^ 2020

Fain would Admetos keep that sjjlendid smile Ever to light him. " Stay with us, thou heart ! Remain our house-friend ! "

" At some other day ! Now, of necessity, I haste ! " smiled he. " But mayst thou prosper, go forth on a foot 2025

Sure to return ! Through all the tetrarchy Command my subjects that they institute Thanksgiving-dances for the glad event, And bid each altar smoke with sacrifice ! For we are minded to begin a fresh 2030

Existence, better than the life before ; Seeing I own myself supremely blest."

Whereupon all the friendly moralists Drew this conclusion : chirped., each heard to each : " Manifold are thy shapings. Providence ! 2035

Many a hopeless matter Gods arrange. What we expected never came to pass : AVhat we did not expect, Gods brought to bear ; So have things gone, this whole experience through ! " 1 Eurystheus.