Adm. There, then, I stretch it out as toward the Gorgon's severed head.[1]
Her. Hast hold of her?
Adm. I have.
Her. (removes the veil). So; keep her safely then, and in days to come thou wilt confess the son of Zeus proved himself a noble guest. Look well at her, if haply to thy gaze she have a semblance of thy wife; and now that thou art blest, cease from sorrowing.
Adm. Great gods, what shall I say? a marvel past all hope is here! My wife, my own true wife I see, or is some mocking rapture sent by heaven to drive me mad?
Her. No, no; 'tis thy own wife thou seest here.
Adm. Beware it be not a phantom from that nether world.
Her. No necromancer was this guest whom thou didst welcome.
Adm. Do I behold my wife, her whom I buried?
Her. Be well assured thereof; still I marvel not thou dost distrust thy luck.
Adm. May I touch her, may I speak to her as my living wife?
Her. Speak to her. For thou hast all thy heart's desire.
Adm. O form and features of my well-loved wife! past all hope I hold thee, never expecting to see thee again.
Her. So thou dost; may no jealous god rise against thee!
Adm. O noble son of almighty Zeus, good luck to thee! may the father that begat thee hold thee in his keeping; for thou and none else hast raised my fallen fortunes. How
- ↑ Lobeck, whom Nauck follows, to avoid the elision of the final ι of the dative singular, conjectured Γοργόν᾽ ὡς καρατομῶν "as if beheading a Gorgon," i.e. with averted gaze, thus gaining very considerable point. Paley notices the clever suggestion, without however adopting it.
