Page:Masterpieces of Greek Literature (1902).djvu/256

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EURIPIDES
"If so be— Why didst thou hide what destiny was here, When one came that was kindly, as thou say'st?"
"He never would have willed to cross my door 880 Had he known aught of my calamities.And probably to some of you I seem Unwise enough in doing what I do; Such will scarce praise me: but these halls of mine Know not to drive off and dishonor guests."
885 And so, the duty done, he turned once moreTo go and busy him about his dead. As for the sympathizers left to muse. There was a change, a new light thrown on things. Contagion from the magnanimity 890 O' the man whose life lay on his hand so light,As up he stepped, pursuing duty still "Higher and harder" as he laughed and said. Somehow they found no folly now in the act They blamed erewhile: Admetos' private grief 895 Shrank to a somewhat pettier obstacleI' the way o' the world: they saw good days had been. And good days, peradventure, still might be, Now that they overlooked the pfresent cloud Heavy upon the palace opposite. 900 And soon the thought took words and music thus.
"Harbor of many a stranger, free to friend. Ever and always, Ο thou house o' the man We mourn for! Thee, Apollon's very self, The lyric Puthian, deigned inhabit once, 905Become a shepherd here in thy domains,[1]
  1. ↑ See page 201, line 5.
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