Thou rich-man's
lawgiver!
Euripides - Alcestis
she may yet grow old?
THANATOS (_with a laugh_).
No! . . . I too have my rights, and them I hold.
APOLLO.
'Tis but one life thou gainest either-wise.
THANATOS.
When young souls die, the richer is my prize.
APOLLO.
Old, with great riches they will bury her.
THANATOS.
Fie on thee, fie!
Thou rich-man's lawgiver!
APOLLO.
How? Is there wit in Death, who seemed so blind?
THANATOS.
The rich would buy long life for all their kind.
APOLLO.
Thou will not grant me, then, this boon? 'Tis so?
THANATOS.
Thou knowest me, what I am: I tell thee, no!
APOLLO.
I know gods sicken at thee and men pine.
THANATOS.
Begone! Too many things not meant for thine
Thy greed hath conquered; but not all, not all!
THANATOS (_with a laugh_).
No! . . . I too have my rights, and them I hold.
APOLLO.
'Tis but one life thou gainest either-wise.
THANATOS.
When young souls die, the richer is my prize.
APOLLO.
Old, with great riches they will bury her.
THANATOS.
Fie on thee, fie!
Thou rich-man's lawgiver!
APOLLO.
How? Is there wit in Death, who seemed so blind?
THANATOS.
The rich would buy long life for all their kind.
APOLLO.
Thou will not grant me, then, this boon? 'Tis so?
THANATOS.
Thou knowest me, what I am: I tell thee, no!
APOLLO.
I know gods sicken at thee and men pine.
THANATOS.
Begone! Too many things not meant for thine
Thy greed hath conquered; but not all, not all!
