Page:Tragedies of Euripides (Way 1894) v1.djvu/67

Rh Till the wine's flame enwrapped him, heating him.

Then did he wreathe his head with myrtle sprays,

Dissonant-howling. Diverse strains were heard:

For he sang on, regardless all of ills

Darkening Admetus' house; we servants wept

Our mistress: yet we showed not to the guest

Eyes tear-bedewed, for so Admetus bade.

And now within the house must I be feasting

This guest,—a lawless thief, a bandit rogue!

She from the house hath passed: I followed not,

Nor stretched the hand, nor wailed unto my mistress

Farewell, who was to me and all the household

A mother, for from ills untold she saved us,

Assuaging her lord's wrath. Do I not well

To loathe this guest, intruder on our griefs?

Enter Herakles.

Ho, fellow, why this solemn brooding look?

The servant should not lower upon the guest,

But welcome him with kindly-beaming cheer.

Thou, seeing here in presence thy lord's friend,

With visage sour and cloud of knitted brows

Receiv'st him, fretting o'er an alien grief.

Hither to me, that wiser thou may'st grow.

The lot of man—its nature knowest thou?

I trow not: how shouldst thou? Give ear to me.

From all mankind the debt of death is due,

Nor of all mortals is there one that knows

If through the coming morrow he shall live:

For trackless is the way of fortune's feet,

Not to be taught, nor won by art of man.

This hearing then, and learning it from me,