Parodos
[Episode]
Ha! What dost thou at this house? why is it thou art ranging here,
Death
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
30
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.
35
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.
40
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?
45
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.
50
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.
55
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.
60
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;
