ALCESTIS
This was wrong, wrong I tell you, to have treated me
thus, though I have no wish to hurt you in your grief.
Now, as for the matter of why I have come back again,
I will tell you. Take this woman, keep her safe for me, 1020
until I have killed the master of the Bistones
and come back, bringing with me the horses of Thrace.
If I have bad luck—I hope not, I hope to come
back home—I give her to the service of your house.
It cost a struggle for her to come into my hands. 1025
You see, I came on people who were holding games
for all comers, with prizes which an athlete might
well spend an effort winning.
(Points to the woman.)
Here is the prize I won
and bring you. For the winners in the minor events
were given horses to take away, while those who won 1030
the heavier stuff, boxing and wrestling, got oxen,
and a woman was thrown in with them. Since I happened
to be there, it seemed wrong to let this splendid prize
go by. As I said, the woman is for you to keep.
She is not stolen. It cost me hard work*to bring 1035
her here. Some day, perhaps, you will say I have done
well.
Admetus
I did not mean to dishonor nor belittle you
when I concealed the fate of my unhappy wife,
but it would have added pain to pain already there
if you had been driven to shelter with some other host. 1040
This sorrow is mine. It is enough for me to weep.
As for the woman, if it can be done, my lord,
I beg you, have some other Thessalian, who has not
suffered as I have, keep her. You have many friends
in Pherae. Do not bring my sorrows back to me. 1045
I would not have strength to see her in my house and
keep
my eyes dry. I am weak now. Do not add weakness
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