Page:Masterpieces of Greek Literature (1902).djvu/269

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ALCESTIS 239

Up to the mountain-summit, till there break Speech forth: 'So, this was she, then, died of old To save her husband I now, a deity She bends above us. Hail, benignant one ! Give good!' Such voices so will supplicate. But — can it be ?Alkmenés offspring comes, Admetos I — to thy house advances here!" 1745

Ay, he it was advancing / In he strode, 1757

And took his stand before Admetos, — turned None by despaiir to such a qnietude, He neither raised his face nor spoke, this time, neo The while his friend surveyed him steadily.

Under the great guard of one arm, there leant ιττι

A shrouded something, live and woman-like, Propped by the heart-heats neath the lion-coat. When he had finished his sur'vey, it seemed, The hearings of the heart hegan suhside, itts

The heljyful breath retinmed, and last the smile Shone out, all Ilerakles was back again. As the words followed the saluting hand.

" To friendly man, behoves we freely speak,

Admetos ! — nor keep buried, deep in breast, nso

Blame we leave silent. I assuredly

Judged myself proper, if I should approach

By accident calamities of thine.

To be demonstrably thy friend : but thou

Told'st me not of the corpse then claiming care, itss

That was thy wife's, but didst install me guest

I' the house here, as though busied with a grief

Indeed, but then, mere grief beyond thy gate :

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