Alcestis (1098-1120)

Spare me, I entreat thee by Zeus, thy sire.

Be sure, if thou refuse, ’twill be a sad mistake.

If I comply, remorse will gnaw my heart.

Yield; for in god’s good time maybe thou wilt give me thanks.

Ah! would thou hadst never won her in the games!

Yet thou too sharest in my victory.

True; still let this maiden go away.

Go she shall, if go she must; but first see if this is needful.

I needs must, else wilt thou be wroth with me.

I have a reason good to press the matter thus.

Have thy way then. Yet know well thy deed I disapprove.

A day will come that thou wilt praise me; only yield.

(to his servants). Take her in, if I needs must give her welcome in my house.

To thy servants will I not hand her over.

Conduct her then thyself within, if so thou thinkest good.

Nay, but into thy hands shall mine consign her.

I will not touch her, though she is free to go within my halls.

To thy hand, and thine alone I her entrust.

Prince, against my will thou dost constrain me to this deed.

Boldly stretch out thy hand and touch the stranger maid.

There, then, I stretch it out as toward the Gorgon’s severed head.[*]

Hast hold of her?

I have.

(removes the veil). So; keep her safely then, and

in days to come thou wilt confess the son of Zeus proved himself a noble guest. Look well at her, if haply to thy gaze she have a semblance of thy wife; and now that thou art blest, cease from sorrowing.