Ha  !  then  the  gods
Bear  us  some  love  indeed.     Life,  blessed  life  !
How  fresh  thy  fields  look  now,  to  one  returned
From  a  so  perilous  voyage  !    My  Alcestis,


48  ALCESTIS.  [act  ii.
Thou  art  my  saviour ;  thy  prevailing  prayers
Have  been  as  gentle  winds  to  waft  me  back
To  thy  sweet  bosom.     Thou  didst  smooth  my  way
To  bitter  death ;  be  then  this  holier  life
All  dedicate  to  thee.
Alcestis.
Nay,  dearest,  think
Of  other  claims  than  mine.     Thy  people  hang,
As  mellowing  grapes  upon  a  vigorous  vine.
On  thy  rich  life  ;  thy  children  grow  from  thee
Like  tender  suckers — and  a  day  may  come
When  thou  must  be  their  mother.
Admetus.
Never  dawn


A  day  so  drear  !


Alcestis.
My  root,  like  thine,  may  be
Untimely  nipt.     Last  night  I  saw  a  star,
Bright  as  the  brightest  orb  that  rides  in  heaven.
Leap  suddenly  into  darkness.
SCENE  II.]  ALCESTIS.  49

Admetus.
Slay  me  not
Once  more  with  evil  boding.     Be  to-day
A  festival  of  life.
[Enter  Euphranor.
EUPHRANOR.
All  hail,  great  King  !
Long  may'st  thou  live  the  favourite  of  the  gods !

Admetus.
Welcome  old  friend.     Am  I  not  much  beholden
To  this  sweet  pleader's  prayers  ?

Euphranor.
Thou  art  indeed
But  I  come  now,  the  herald  of  a  crowd
That  waits  without  to  see  thee,  thus  restored.
Wilt  thou  not  show  thyself?

Admetus,

Ay,  with  glad  heart
That  I  am  here  to  show.     Come,  my  Alcestis  !

D


50  ALCESTIS.  [act  ii.
Alcestis.
Grant  me  a  moment's  pause.     I  have  a  word
For  this  kind  ear.
Admetus.
Well,  then,  be  brief,  be  brief !

\Exit  Admetus.
EUPHRANOR.
As  jocund  as  the  morning  !     Knows  he  naught  ?

Alcestis.
