Page:The poems of Emma Lazarus volume 1.djvu/83

Rh So that the king may live?&quot; And she: &quot;You ask? Nay, who will live when life clasps hands with shame, And death with honor ? Lo, you are a god; You cannot know the highest joy of life,— To leave it when t is worthier to die. His parents, kinsmen, courtiers, subjects, slaves,— For love of him myself would die, were none Found ready; but what Greek would stand to see A woman glorified, and falter? Once, And only once, the gods will do this thing In all the ages: such a man themselves Delight to honor, holy, temperate, chaste, With reverence for his daemon and his god.&quot; Thus she triumphant to the very door Of King Admetus chamber. All there saw Her ill-timed gladness with much wonderment. But she: &quot;No longer mourn! The king is saved: The Fates will spare him. Lift your voice in praise; Sing paeans to Apollo; crown your brows With laurel; offer thankful sacrifice! &quot; &quot;O Queen, what mean these foolish words misplaced? And what an hour is this to thank the Fates? &quot; &quot;Thrice blessed be the gods!—for God himself Has sued for me,—they are not stern and deaf.