DEA. Ah! Ah! Ah! Ah! What dost thou at the palace? why tamest here, Phœbus?
Art thou again at thy deeds of injustice, taking away and putting an end to
the honors of the powers beneath? Did it not suffice thee to stay the death
of Admetus, when thou didst delude the Fates by fraudful artifice?[5] But
now too dost thou keep guard for her, having armed thine hand with thy bow,
who then promised, in order to redeem her husband, herself, the daughter of
Pelias, to die for him?
AP. Fear not, I cleave to justice and honest arguments.
DEA. What business then has your bow, if you cleave to justice?
AP. It is my habit ever to bear it.
DEA. Yes, and without regard to justice to aid this house.
AP. _Ay_, for I am afflicted at the misfortunes of a man that is dear to
me.
DEA. And wilt thou deprive me of this second dead?
AP. But neither took I him from thee by force.
DEA. How then is he upon earth, and not beneath the ground?
AP. Because he gave in his stead his wife, after whom thou art now come.
DEA. Yes, and will bear her off to the land beneath.
AP. Take her away, for I know not whether I can persuade thee.
DEA. What? to slay him, whom I ought? for this was I commanded.
AP. No: but to cast death upon those about to die.
DEA. Yes, I perceive thy speech, and what thou aim'st at.
AP. Is it possible then for Alcestis to arrive at old age?
DEA. It is not: consider that I too am delighted with my due honors.
AP. Thou canst not, however, take more than one life.
DEA. When the young die I earn the greater glory.