Stories from the Greek Tragedians | Page 6

me, that I may give her to her
husband. For right nobly did he entertain me, and drave me not from
his house, for all that he had been stricken by such sorrow. Is there a
man in Thessaly, nay in the whole land of Greece, that is such a lover
of hospitality? I trow not. Noble is he, and he shall know that he is no
ill friend to whom he hath done this thing."
So he went his way. And when he was gone, Admetus came back from
the burying of his wife, a great company following him, of whom the
elders sought to comfort him in his sorrow. And when he was come to
the gates of his palace he cried, "How shall I enter thee? how shall I
dwell in thee? Once I came within thy gates with many pine-torches
from Pelion, and the merry noise of the marriage song, holding in my
hand the hand of her that is dead; and after us followed a troop that
magnified her and me, so noble a pair we were. And now with wailing
instead of marriage songs, and garments of black for white wedding
robes, I go to my desolate couch."
But while he yet lingered before the palace Hercules came back,
leading with him a woman that was covered with a veil. And when he
saw the King he said, "I hold it well to speak freely to one that is a

friend, and that a man should not hide a grudge in his heart. Hear me,
therefore. Though I was worthy to be counted thy friend, yet thou saidst
not that thy wife lay dead in thy house, but suffered me to feast and
make merry. For this, therefore, I blame thee. And now I will tell thee
why I am returned. I pray thee, keep this woman against the day when I
shall come back from the land of Thrace, bringing the horses of King
Diomed. And if it should fare ill with me, let her abide here and serve
thee. Not without toil came she into my hands. I found as I went upon
my way that certain men had ordered contests for wrestlers and runners,
and the like. Now for them that had the pre-eminence in lesser things
there were horses for prizes; and for the greater, as wrestling and
boxing, a reward of oxen, to which was added this woman. And now I
would have thee keep her, for which thing, haply, thou wilt one day
thank me."
To this the King answered, "I thought no slight when I hid this truth
from thee. Only it would have been for me sorrow upon sorrow if thou
hadst gone to the house of another. But as for this woman, I would have
thee ask this thing of some prince of Thessaly that hath not suffered
such grief as I. In Pheræ here thou hast many friends; but I could not
look upon her without tears. Add not then this new trouble. And also
how could she, being young, abide in my house, for young I judge her
to be? And of a truth, lady, thou art very like in shape and stature to my
Alcestis that is dead. I pray you, take her from my sight, for she
troubleth my heart, and my tears run over with beholding her."
Then said Hercules, "Would I had such strength that I could bring back
thy wife from the dwellings of the dead, and put her in thy hands."
"I know thy good will, but what profiteth it? No man may bring back
the dead."
"Well, time will soften thy grief, which yet is new."
"Yea, if by time thou meanest death."
"But a new wife will comfort thee."
"Hold thy peace; such a thing cometh not into my thoughts."
"What? wilt thou always keep this widowed state?"
"Never shall woman more be wife of mine."
"What will this profit her that is dead?"
"I know not, yet had I sooner die than be false to her."
"Yet I would have thee take this woman into thy house."

"Ask it not of me, I entreat thee, by thy father Zeus."
"Thou wilt lose much if thou wilt not do it."
"And if I do it I shall break my heart."
"Haply some day thou wilt thank me; only be persuaded."
"Be it so: they shall take the woman into the house."
"I would not have thee entrust her to thy servants."
"If thou so thinkest, lead her in thyself."
"Nay, but I would give her into thy hands."
"I touch her not, but my house she may enter."
"'Tis only to thy hand I entrust her."
"O King, thou compellest me to this against my will."
"Stretch