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.
- Ho! sirrah, why that solemn, thoughtful look? ’Tis not the way for servants to scowl on guests,
- but with courteous soul to welcome them. But thou, seeing a friend of thy master arrive, receivest him with sullen, lowering brow, though ’tis but a stranger that is the object of thy mourning. Come hither, that thou too mayst learn more wisdom.
- Dost know the nature of this mortal state? I trow not; how shouldst thou? Well, lend an ear to me. Death is the common debt of man; no mortal really knows if he will live to see the morrow’s light;
- for Fortune’s issues are not in our ken, beyond the teacher’s rule they lie, no art can master them. Hearken then to this and learn of me, be merry, drink thy cup, and count the present day thine own, the rest to Fortune yield.
- And to Cypris too, sweetest of the gods by far to man, thy tribute pay, for kindly is her mood. Let be those other cares, and heed my counsel if thou think’st I speak aright; methinks I do. Come, banish this excessive grief,
- and drink a cup with me when thou hast passed beyond these doors and wreathed thy brow; and I feel sure the plash of wine within the cup will bring thee to a better haven from this crabbed mood, this cabined state of mind.[*](Reading φρενῶν, which Nauck, however, doubts.) Mortals we are, and mortals’ thoughts should have;
- for all they who frown and scowl do miss,—leastways I think so,—the true life and get themselves misfortune.
- I know all that, but our present state has little claim on revelry or laughter.
- The dead was a stranger woman; grieve not to excess; for the rulers of thy house are living.
- How, living? Thou knowest not the trouble in the house.
- I do, unless thy master did in aught deceive me.
- Too hospitable is he.
- Was I to miss good cheer because a stranger had died?
- A stranger surely! quite a stranger she!
- Is there some trouble that he withheld from me?
- Farewell, go thy way! my master’s troubles are my care.
- This word of thine heralds not a grief for strangers felt.
- Had it been, the sight of thy merriment had not grieved me so.
- Can[*](There is some doubt whether the next four lines are genuine. Nauck brackets them.) it be mine host hath strangely wronged me?
- Thou earnest at no proper time for our house to welcome thee, for sorrow is come upon us; lo! thou seest our shorn heads and robes of sable hue.