Page:Tragedies of Euripides (Way 1894) v1.djvu/71

Rh For I must save the woman newly dead,

And set Alcestis in this house again,

And render to Admetus good for good.

I go. The sable-vestured King of Corpses,

Death, will I watch for, and shall find, I trow,

Drinking the death-draught hard beside the tomb.

And if I lie in wait, and dart from ambush,

And seize, and with mine arms' coil compass him,

None is there shall deliver from mine hands

His straining sides, or e'er he yield his prey.

Yea, though I miss the quarry, and he come not

Unto the blood-clot, to the sunless homes

Down will I fare of Korê and her king,

And make demand. I doubt not I shall lead

Alcestis up, and give to mine host's hands,

Who to his halls received, nor drave me thence,

Albeit smitten with affliction sore,

But hid it, like a prince, respecting me.

Who is more guest-fain of Thessalians?

Who in all Hellas?—O, he shall not say

That one so princely showed a base man kindness. [Exit.

O hateful returning!

O hateful to see

Drear halls full of yearning

For the lost—ah me!

What aim or what rest have I?—silence or speech, of what help shall they be?