Thou drawest breath
Even now, long past thy portioned hour of death,
By
murdering
her .
Euripides - Alcestis
.. Say,
How have I wronged thee? What have I kept away?
"Not died for thee?"... I ask not thee to die.
Thou lovest this light: shall I not love it, I?...
'Tis age on age there, in the dark; and here
My sunlit time is short, but dear; but dear.
Thou hast fought hard enough.
Thou drawest breath
Even now, long past thy portioned hour of death,
By
murdering
her .
.. and blamest my faint heart,
Coward, who hast let a woman play thy part
And die to save her pretty soldier! Aye,
A good plan, surely! Thou needst never die;
Thou canst find alway somewhere some fond wife
To die for thee. But, prithee, make not strife
With other friends, who will not save thee so.
Be silent, loving thine own life, and know
All men love theirs!... Taunt others, and thou too
Shalt hear much that is bitter, and is true.
LEADER.
Too much of wrath before, too much hath run
After. Old man, cease to revile thy son.
