SERVANT.

I have now known many guests, and from all parts of the earth that have come to the house of Admetus, to whom I have spread the feast, but never yet did I receive into this house a worse one than this stranger.  Who, in the first place, indeed, though he saw my master in affliction, came in, and prevailed upon himself to pass the gates.  And then not at all in a modest manner received he the entertainment that there happened to be, when he heard of the calamity:  but if we did not bring any thing, he hurried us to bring it.  And having taken in his hands the cup wreathed with ivy,[40] he quaffs the neat wine of the purple mother, until the fumes of the liquor coming upon him inflamed him; and he crowns his head with branches of myrtles howling discordantly; and there were two strains to hear; for he was singing, not caring at all for the afflictions of Admetus, but we the domestics, were bewailing our mistress, and we showed not that we were weeping to the guest, for thus Admetus commanded.  And now indeed I am performing the offices of hospitality to the stranger in the house, some deceitful thief and robber.  But she is gone from the house, nor did I follow, nor stretched out my hand in lamentation for my mistress, who was a mother to me, and to all the domestics, for she saved us from ten thousand ills, softening the anger of her husband.  Do I not then justly hate this stranger, who is come in our miseries?

HERCULES, SERVANT.

HER.  Ho there! why dost thou look so grave and thoughtful?  The servant ought not to be of woeful countenance before guests, but should receive them with an affable mind.  But thou, though thou seest a companion of thy lord present, receivest him with a morose and clouded countenance, fixing thy attention on a calamity that thou hast nothing to do with.  Come hither, that thou mayst become more wise.  Knowest thou mortal affairs, of what nature they are?  I think not; from whence should you? but hear me.  Death is a debt that all mortals must pay:  and there is not of them one, who knows whether he shall live the coming morrow:  for what depends on fortune is uncertain how it will turn out, and is not to be learned, neither is it detected by art.  Having heard these things then, and learned them from me, make thyself merry, drink, and think the life allowed from day to day thine own, but the rest Fortune’s.  And honor also Venus, the most sweet of deities to mortals, for she is a kind deity.  But let go these other things, and obey my words, if I appear to speak rightly:  I think so indeed.  Wilt thou not then leave off thy excessive grief, and drink with me, crowned with garlands, having thrown open these gates?  And well know I that the trickling of the cup falling down thy throat will change thee from thy present cloudy and pent state of mind.  But we who are mortals should think as mortals.  Since to all the morose, indeed, and to those of sad countenance, if they take me as judge at least, life is not truly life, but misery.