Take her and go, for I do not suppose I can persuade thee.DeathTo slay my rightful victim? Why, that is my appointed task.ApolloNay, but to lay thy deadly hand on those who soon would die.DeathI see thy drift, thy eager plea.ApolloIs it then possible that Alcestis should attain old age?DeathIt is not possible; I too, methinks, find a pleasure in my rights.ApolloThou canst not anyhow take more than one life.DeathWhen young lives die I reap a higher honour.ApolloShould she die old, a sumptuous funeral will she have.DeathPhoebus, the law thou layest down is all in favour of the rich.ApolloWhat mean’st thou? art so wise, and I never knew it?DeathThose who have wealth would buy the chance of their dying old.ApolloIt seems then thou wilt not grant me this favour.DeathNot I; my customs well thou knowest.ApolloThat I do, customs men detest and gods abhor.DeathThou canst not realise every lawless wish.ApolloMark me, thou shalt have a check for all thy excessive fierceness; such a hero shall there come to Pheres’ halls, by Eurystheus sent to fetch a team of steeds from the wintry world of Thrace; he, a guest awhile in these halls of Admetus, will wrest this woman from thee by sheer force. So wilt thou get no thanks from me but yet wilt do this all the same, and earn my hatred too.Dindorf rejects these two lines.DeathThou wilt not gain thy purpose any the more for all thy many words; that woman shall to Hades’ halls go down, I tell thee.