These neither did live handsomely nor die,
Though both should have been done with decency.
But Euripides hath spoken incomparably well of those who labor under
daily indispositions:—
I hate the man who studies to defeat
The power of death with artificial meat,
To baffle and prevent his fate does think,
And lengthens out his life with magic drink.
Whereas, when he a burden doth become,
Then he should die, because he’s troublesome.
Old age in modesty should then give place,
And so make way unto a brisker race.[157]
But Merope moved the passion of the theatre with these masculine
expressions:—
My sons by death are ravished from my side,
And I’m a widow, who was once a bride.
I am not thus selected to be crossed,
Others their sons and husbands too have lost.[158]