Alcestis
Euripides
Euripides. The Plays of Euripides, Translated into English Prose from the Text of Paley. Vol. I. Coleridge, Edward P., translator. London: George Bell and Sons, 1906.
- Well, take this maiden to the shelter of thy noble house.
- Spare me, I entreat thee by Zeus, thy sire.
- Be sure, if thou refuse, ’twill be a sad mistake.
- If I comply, remorse will gnaw my heart.
- Yield; for in god’s good time maybe thou wilt give me thanks.
- Ah! would thou hadst never won her in the games!
- Yet thou too sharest in my victory.
- True; still let this maiden go away.
- Go she shall, if go she must; but first see if this is needful.
- I needs must, else wilt thou be wroth with me.
- I have a reason good to press the matter thus.
- Have thy way then. Yet know well thy deed I disapprove.
- A day will come that thou wilt praise me; only yield.
- (to his servants). Take her in, if I needs must give her welcome in my house.
- To thy servants will I not hand her over.
- Conduct her then thyself within, if so thou thinkest good.
- Nay, but into thy hands shall mine consign her.
- I will not touch her, though she is free to go within my halls.
- To thy hand, and thine alone I her entrust.
- Prince, against my will thou dost constrain me to this deed.