ALCESTIS 203
Close on us of a sudden ! who, pale priest 45
Of the mute people, means to bear his prey To the house of Hades. The symmetric step ! How he treads true to time and place and thing. Dogging day, hour and minute, for death's-due ! "
And we obsei'ved another Deity ^ so
Half in, half out the j)ortal, — watch and ward^ — Eyeing his fellow : formidahly fixed. Yet faltering too at icho affronted him, 53
So, each antagonist Silently faced his fellow andforhore. η
Till Death shrilled, hard and quick, in spite and fear :
" Ha ha, and what may'st thou do at the domes,^
Why hauntest here, thou Phoibos ? Here again
At the old injustice, limiting our rights, 75
Balking of honor due us Gods o' the grave ?
Was 't not enough for thee to have delayed
Death from Admetos, — with thy crafty art
Cheating the very Fates, — but thou must arm
The bow-hand and take station, press 'twixt me so
And Pelias' daughter,^ who then saved her spouse, —
Did just that, now thou comest to undo, —
Taking his place to die, Alkestis here ? "
But the God sighed, " Have courage ! All my arms. This time, are simple justice and fair words." as
Then each plied each with rapid interchange : •
" What need of bow, were justice arms enough ? " " Ever it is my wont to bear the bow."
^ I. e., at this house. Cf . lines 9, 421. ^ Alcestis.
