ALCESTIS 231
From this stern mood, this shrunk-up state of mind,
The pit-pat fall o' the flagon-juice down throat
Soon will dislodge thee from bad harborage !
Men being mortal should think mortal-like : 1455
Since to your solemn, brow-contracting sort,
All of them, — so I lay down law at least, —
Life is not truly life but misery."
Whereto the man icith softened siirliness :
" We know as much : but deal with matters, now, ueo
Hardly befitting mirth and revelry."
" No intimate, this woman that is dead :
Mourn not too much ! For, those o' the house itself,
Thy masters live, remember ! "
" Live indeed ? Ah, thou know'st nought o' the woe within these walls ! "
" I do — unless thy master spoke me false i466
Somehow ! "
" Ay, ay, too much he loves a guest, " Too much, that master mine I " so muttered he.
" Was it improper he should treat me well.
Because an alien corpse was in the way ? " 1470
" No alien, but most intimate indeed ! "
" Can it be, some woe was, he told me not ? "
" Farewell and go thy way ! Thy cares for thee — To us, our master's sorrow is a care."
" This word begins no tale of alien woe ! " 1475
" Had it been other woe than intimate,
I could have seen thee feast, nor felt amiss."
" What ! have I suffered strangely from my host? " " Thou cam'st not at a fit reception-time : With sorrow here beforehand : and thou seest i48o Shorn hair, black robes."
