Death
Ha! What dost thou at this house? why is it thou art ranging here, Phoebus? Once again thou wrongest me, circumscribing and limiting the honours of the nether world. Wert thou not content to hinder the death of Admetus, by thy knavish cunning baulking Destiny? but now again hast thou armed thee with thy bow and art keeping guard o’er her, this daughter of Pelias, who undertook, of her free will, to die for her lord and set him free.
Apollo Never fear; I have, be sure, justice and fair pleas to urge.
Death What has that bow to do, if thou hast justice on thy side?
Apollo ’Tis my habit ever to carry it.
Death Ay, and to help this house more than is right.
Apollo The reason is, I cannot bear a friend’s distress.
Death Wilt rob me of this second corpse likewise?
Apollo Come! I did not take the other from thee by violence.
Death Then how is it he lives above the earth and not beneath?
Apollo He gave his wife instead, her whom now thou art come to fetch.
Death Yea, and I will bear her hence to the nether world.
Apollo Take her and go, for I do not suppose I can persuade thee.
Death To slay my rightful victim? Why, that is my appointed task.
Apollo Nay, but to lay thy deadly hand on those who soon would die.
Death I see thy drift, thy eager plea.
Apollo Is it then possible that Alcestis should attain old age?
Death It is not possible; I too, methinks, find a pleasure in my rights.
Apollo Thou canst not anyhow take more than one life.
Death When young lives die I reap a higher honour.
Apollo Should she die old, a sumptuous funeral will she have.
Death Phoebus, the law thou layest down is all in favour of the rich.
Apollo What mean’st thou? art so wise, and I never knew it?
Death Those who have wealth would buy the chance of their dying old.
Apollo It seems then thou wilt not grant me this favour.
Death Not I; my customs well thou knowest.
Apollo That I do, customs men detest and gods abhor.
Death Thou canst not realise every lawless wish.
Apollo Mark me, thou shalt have a check for all thy excessive fierceness; such a hero shall there come to Pheres’ halls, by Eurystheus sent to fetch a team of steeds from the wintry world of Thrace; he, a guest awhile in these halls of Admetus, will wrest this woman from thee by sheer force. So wilt thou get no thanks from me but yet wilt do this all the same, and earn my hatred too.
Death Thou wilt not gain thy purpose any the more for all thy many words; that woman shall to Hades’ halls go down, I tell thee. Lo! I am going for her, that with the sword I may begin my rites, for he whose hair this sword doth hallow is sacred to the gods below.
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