What profit will thy dead wife gain
thereby?
Euripides - Alcestis
Time will soften thee,
[_The veiled Woman begins dimly, as though in a dream, to hear the words
spoken. _]
ADMETUS.
Time? Yes, if time be death.
HERACLES.
Nay, wait; and some
Woman, some new desire of love, will come.
ADMETUS (_indignantly_).
Peace!
How canst thou? Shame upon thee!
HERACLES.
Thou wilt stay
Unwed for ever, lonely night and day?
ADMETUS.
No other bride in these void arms shall lie.
HERACLES.
What profit will thy dead wife gain thereby?
ADMETUS.
Honour; which finds her wheresoe'er she lies.
HERACLES.
Most honourable in thee: but scarcely wise!
ADMETUS.
God curse me, if I betray her in her tomb!
HERACLES.
So be it! . . .
And this good damsel, thou wilt take her home?
ADMETUS.
No, in the name of Zeus, thy father! No!
[_The veiled Woman begins dimly, as though in a dream, to hear the words
spoken. _]
ADMETUS.
Time? Yes, if time be death.
HERACLES.
Nay, wait; and some
Woman, some new desire of love, will come.
ADMETUS (_indignantly_).
Peace!
How canst thou? Shame upon thee!
HERACLES.
Thou wilt stay
Unwed for ever, lonely night and day?
ADMETUS.
No other bride in these void arms shall lie.
HERACLES.
What profit will thy dead wife gain thereby?
ADMETUS.
Honour; which finds her wheresoe'er she lies.
HERACLES.
Most honourable in thee: but scarcely wise!
ADMETUS.
God curse me, if I betray her in her tomb!
HERACLES.
So be it! . . .
And this good damsel, thou wilt take her home?
ADMETUS.
No, in the name of Zeus, thy father! No!
