Would God, I had the power, 'mid all this might
Of arm, to break the
dungeons
of the night,
And free thy wife, and make thee glad again!
Euripides - Alcestis
Oh, take her from mine eyes!
In God's name!
[HERACLES _signs to the Attendants to take_ ALCESTIS _away again.
She stays veiled and unnoticing in the background._]
I was fallen, and in this wise
Thou wilt make me deeper fall.... Meseems, meseems,
There in her face the loved one of my dreams
Looked forth.--My heart is made a turbid thing,
Craving I know not what, and my tears spring
Unbidden.--Grief I knew 'twould be; but how
Fiery a grief I never knew till now.
LEADER.
Thy fate I praise not. Yet, what gift soe'er
God giveth, man must steel himself and bear.
HERACLES (_drawing_ ADMETUS _on_).
Would God, I had the power, 'mid all this might
Of arm, to break the
dungeons
of the night,
And free thy wife, and make thee glad again!
ADMETUS.
Where is such power? I know thy heart were fain;
But so 'tis writ. The dead shall never rise.
HERACLES.
Chafe not the curb, then: suffer and be wise.
ADMETUS.
Easier to give such counsel than to keep.
HERACLES.
Who will be happier, shouldst thou always weep?
ADMETUS.
Why, none. Yet some blind longing draws me on...
