EURIPIDES
to my weakness. I have sorrow enough to weigh me down.
And where could a young woman live in this house? For
she is young, I can see it in her dress, her style. 1050
Am I to put her in the same quarters with the men?
And how, circulating among young men, shall she be kept
from harm? Not easy, Heracles, to hold in check
a young strong man. I am thinking of your interests.
Or shall I put her in my lost wife's chamber, keep 1055
1 her there? How can I take her to Alcestis' bed?
I fear blame from two quarters, from my countrymen
who might accuse me of betraying her who helped
me most, by running to the bed of another girl,
and from the dead herself. Her honor has its claim 1060
on me. I must be very careful. You, lady,
whoever you are, I tell you that you have the form
of my Alcestis; all your body is like hers.
' -'Too much. Oh, for God's pity, take this woman away
out of my sight I am beaten already, do not beat 1065
me a1 gain. For as I look on her, I think I see
my wife. It churns my heart to tumult, and the tears
break streaming from my eyes. How much must I endure
'the bitter taste of sorrow which is still so fresh?
Chorus
I cannot put a good name to your fortune; yet 1070
whoever you are, you must endure what the god gives.
Heracles
I only wish that my strength had been great enough
r 'for me to bring your wife back from the chambered deep
into the light I would have done that grace for you.
Admetus
I know you would have wanted to. Why speak of if? 1075
There is no way for the dead to come back to the light.
Heracles
Then do not push your sorrow. Bear it as you must,
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