I blame thee.  And now I will tell thee why I am returned.  I pray thee, keep this woman against the day when I shall come back from the land of Thrace, bringing the horses of King Diomed.  And if it should fare ill with me, let her abide here and serve thee.  Not without toil came she into my hands.  I found as I went upon my way that certain men had ordered contests for wrestlers and runners, and the like.  Now for them that had the pre-eminence in lesser things there were horses for prizes; and for the greater, as wrestling and boxing, a reward of oxen, to which was added this woman.  And now I would have thee keep her, for which thing, haply, thou wilt one day thank me.”

To this the King answered, “I thought no slight when I hid this truth from thee.  Only it would have been for me sorrow upon sorrow if thou hadst gone to the house of another.  But as for this woman, I would have thee ask this thing of some prince of Thessaly that hath not suffered such grief as I. In Pherae here thou hast many friends; but I could not look upon her without tears.  Add not then this new trouble.  And also how could she, being young, abide in my house, for young I judge her to be?  And of a truth, lady, thou art very like in shape and stature to my Alcestis that is dead.  I pray you, take her from my sight, for she troubleth my heart, and my tears run over with beholding her.”

Then said Hercules, “Would I had such strength that I could bring back thy wife from the dwellings of the dead, and put her in thy hands.”

“I know thy good will, but what profiteth it?  No man may bring back the dead.”

“Well, time will soften thy grief, which yet is new.”

“Yea, if by time thou meanest death.”

“But a new wife will comfort thee.”

“Hold thy peace; such a thing cometh not into my thoughts.”

“What? wilt thou always keep this widowed state?”

“Never shall woman more be wife of mine.”

“What will this profit her that is dead?”

“I know not, yet had I sooner die than be false to her.”

“Yet I would have thee take this woman into thy house.”

“Ask it not of me, I entreat thee, by thy father Zeus.”

“Thou wilt lose much if thou wilt not do it.”

“And if I do it I shall break my heart.”

“Haply some day thou wilt thank me; only be persuaded.”

“Be it so:  they shall take the woman into the house.”

“I would not have thee entrust her to thy servants.”

“If thou so thinkest, lead her in thyself.”

“Nay, but I would give her into thy hands.”

“I touch her not, but my house she may enter.”

“’Tis only to thy hand I entrust her.”

“O King, thou compellest me to this against my will.”

“Stretch forth thy hand and touch her.”

“I touch her as I would touch the Gorgon’s head.”

“Hast thou hold of her?”