No More Learning

. .
And this good damsel, thou wilt take her home?

ADMETUS.
No, in the name of Zeus, thy father! No!

HERACLES.
I swear, 'tis not well to reject her so.

ADMETUS.
'Twould tear my heart to accept her.

HERACLES.
Grant me, friend,
This one boon! It may help thee in the end.

ADMETUS.
Woe's me!
Would God thou hadst never won those victories!

HERACLES.
Thou sharest both the victory and the prize.

ADMETUS.
Thou art generous. . . . But now let her go.

HERACLES.
She shall,
If go she must. Look first, and judge withal.

[_He takes the veil off_ ALCESTIS. ]

ADMETUS (_steadily refusing to look_).
She must. --And thou, forgive me!