Part 8 (2/2)

PHERES.

Man hath but one, not two lives, to his use.

ADMETUS.

Oh, live on; live, and grow more old than Zeus!

PHERES.

Because none wrongs thee, thou must curse thy sire?

ADMETUS.

I blest him. Is not life his one desire?

PHERES.

This dead, methinks, is lying in _thy_ place.

ADMETUS.

A proof, old traitor, of thy cowardliness!

PHERES.

Died she through me?... That thou wilt hardly say.

ADMETUS (_almost breaking down_).

O G.o.d!

Mayst thou but feel the need of me some day!

PHERES.

Go forward; woo more wives that more may die.

ADMETUS.

As thou wouldst not! Thine is the infamy.

PHERES.

This light of heaven is sweet, and sweet again.

ADMETUS.

Thy heart is foul. A thing unmeet for men.

PHERES.

Thou laugh'st not yet across the old man's tomb.

ADMETUS.

Dishonoured thou shalt die when death shall come.

PHERES.

Once dead, I shall not care what tales are told.

ADMETUS.

Great G.o.ds, so lost to honour and so old!

PHERES.

She was not lost to honour: she was blind.

ADMETUS.

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