byEuripidestranslatedbyRichardAldingtonCHARACTERSINTHEPLAY
APOLLO
DEATH
CHORUSOFOLDMEN
AWOMANSERVANT
ALCESTIS，theQueen，wifeofADMETUS
ADMETUS，KingofThessalyEUMELUS，theirchildHERACLES
PHERES，fatherofADMETUS
AMANSERVANT
（SCENE：—AtPherae，outsidethePalaceofADMETUS，KingofThessaly。Thecentreofthescenerepresentsaporticowithcolumnsandalargedouble—door。Totheleftarethewomen’squarters，totherighttheguestrooms。ThecentredoorsofthePalaceslowlyopeninwards，andApollocomesout。Inhislefthandhecarriesalargeunstrunggoldenbow。Hemovesslowlyandmajestically，turns，andraiseshisrighthandinsalutationtothePalace。）
APOLLO
DWELLINGofAdmetus，whereinI，aGod，deignedtoacceptthefoodofserfs！
ThecausewasZeus。HestruckAsclepius，myson，fullinthebreastwithaboltofthunder，andlaidhimdead。TheninwildrageIslewtheCyclopeswhoforgethefireofZeus。ToatoneforthismyFatherforcedmetolabourasahirelingforamortalman；andI
cametothiscountry，andtendedoxenformyhost。TothishourIhaveprotectedhimandhis。I，whoamjust，chancedonthesonofPheres，ajustman，whomIhavesavedfromDeathbytrickingtheFates。TheGoddessespledgedmetheirfaithAdmetusshouldescapeimmediatedeathif，inexchange，anothercorpseweregiventotheUnder—Gods。
Onebyonehetestedallhisfriends，andevenhisfatherandtheoldmotherwhobadbroughthimforth—andfoundnonethatwoulddieforhimandnevermorebeholdthelightofday，saveonlyhiswife。
Now，herspiritwaitingtobreakloose，shedroopsuponhisarmwithinthehouse；thisisthedaywhenshemustdieandrenderupherlife。
ButImustleavethisPalace’sdearroof，forfearpollutionsoilmeinthehouse。
See！Death，LordofAlltheDead，nowcomestoleadhertothehouseofHades！Mostpunctuallyhecomes！Howwellhemarkedthedayshehadtodie！
（FromtherightcomesDEATH，withadrawnswordinhishand。HemovesstealthilytowardsthePalace；thenseesAPOLLOandhaltsabruptly。ThetwoDeitiesconfronteachother。）
DEATH
Ha！Phoebus！You！BeforethisPalace！Lawlesslywouldyougrasp，abolishtherightsoftheLowerGods！DidyounotbeguiletheFatesandsnatchAdmetusfromthegrave？Doesnotthatsuffice？Now，onceagain，youhavearmedyourhandwiththebow，toguardthedaughterofPeliaswhomustdieinherhusband’sstead！
APOLLO
Fearnot！Iholdforright，andprofferyoujustwords。
DEATH
Ifyouholdforright，whythenyourbow？
APOLLO
Mycustomisevertocarryit。
DEATH
Yes！Andyouuseitunjustlytoaidthishouse！
APOLLO
Igrieveforafriend’swoe。
DEATH
Soyouwouldrobmeofasecondbody？
APOLLO
NotbyforceIwontheother。
DEATH
Why，then，isheintheworldandnotbelowtheground？
APOLLO
Inhissteadhegiveshiswife—whomyouhavecometotake。
DEATH
Andshalltake—totheUnderworldbelowtheearth！
APOLLO
Takeher，andgo！IknownotifIcanpersuadeyou……
DEATH
NottokillherImustkill？Iamappointedtothattask。
APOLLO
No，no！Buttodelaydeathforthoseabouttodie。
DEATH
Ihearyourwordsandguessyourwish！
APOLLO
MaynotAlcestislivetooldage？
DEATH
No！Ialsoprizemyrights！
APOLLO
Yetatmostyouwinonelife。
DEATH
Theywhodieyoungyieldmeagreaterprize。
APOLLO
Ifshediesold，theburialwillbericher。
DEATH
Phoebus，thatargumentfavourstherich。
APOLLO
What！Areyouwittyunawares？
DEATH
Therichwouldgladlypaytodieold。
APOLLO
Soyouwillnotgrantmethisfavour？
DEATH
NotI！Youknowmynature。
APOLLO
Yes！Hatefultomenandahorrortothegods！
DEATH
Youcannotalwayshavemorethanyourdue。
APOLLO
Yetyoushallchange，mostcruelthoughyouare！ForamancomestothedwellingofPheres，sentbyEurystheustofetchahorse—drawnchariotfromtheharsh—winteredlandsofThrace；andheshallbeaguestinthehouseofAdmetus，andbyforceshallhetearthiswomanfromyou。Thusshallyougainnothanksfromus，andyetyoushalldothisthing—andmyhatredbeuponyou（APOLLOgoesout。DEATHgazesafterhimderisively。）
DEATH
Talkallyouwill，yougetnomoreofme！ThewomanshallgodowntothedwellingofHades。NowmustIgotoconsecrateherforthesacrificewiththissword；forwhenoncethisbladehasshornthevictim’shair，thenheissacredtotheLowerGods！
（DEATHentersthePalacebytheopenmaindoor。TheCHORUSentersfromtheright。TheyaretheEldersorNotablesofthecity，and，thereforemoveslowly，leaningupontheirstaffs。）
LEADEROFTHECHORUS（chanting）
WhyistherenosoundoutsidethePalace？WhyisthedwellingofAdmetussilent？NotafriendheretotellmeifImustweepforadeadQueenorwhethershelivesandlooksuponthelight，Alcestis，thedaughterofPelias，whomamongallwomenIholdthebestwifetoherspouse！
CHORUS（Singing）
Isasobtobeheard？
OrthebeatingofhandsInthehouse？
Thelamentforherend？
Notone，NotoneofherservantsStandsatthegate！
Ah！torollbackthewaveofourwoe，OHealer，Appear！
FIRSTSEMI—CHORUS
WereshedeadTheyhadnotbeensilent。
SECONDSEMI—CHORUS
Sheisbutadeadbody！
FIRSTSEMI—CHORUS
Yetshehasnotdepartedthehouse。
SECONDSEMI—CHORUS
Ah！Letmenotboast！
Whydoyouclingtohope？
FIRSTSEMI—CHORUS
WouldAdmetusburyhersolitary，Makeagravealoneforawifesodear？
CHORUS
AtthegateIseenotThelustralwaterfromthespringWhichstandsatthegatesofthedead！
NoshorntressintheportalLaidinlamentforthedead！
Theyoungwomenbeatnottheirhands！
SECONDSEMI—CHORUS
Yetto—dayisthedayappointed……
FIRSTSEMI—CHORUS
Ah！Whathaveyousaid？
SECONDSEMI—CHORUS
WhenshemustdescendunderearthFIRSTSEMI—CHORUS
Youhavepiercedmysoul！
Youhavepiercedmymind！
SECONDSEMI—CHORUS
HethatforlongHasbeenheldinesteemMustweepwhenthegoodaredestroyed。
CHORUS
No！
ThereisnoplaceonearthTosendforthasuppliantship—
NottoLycia，NottoAmmon’swaterlessshrine—
Tosaveherfromdeath！
Thedreadfuldoomisathand。
TowhatladenaltarofwhatGodShallIturnmysteps？
Healone—
Ifthelightyetshoneforhiseye—
Asclepius，Phoebus’sson，CouldhaveledherbackFromthelandofshadows，FromthegatesofHades，ForheraisedthedeadEretheZeus—drivenshaftSlewhimwiththunderfire……
ButnowWhathopecanIholdforherlife？
LEADER（chanting）
TheKinghasfulfilledEveryrite；
ThealtarsofalltheGodsDripwiththebloodofslainbeasts：
Nothing，nothingavails。
（Fromthewomen’squartersintheleftwingofthePalacecomesawomanintears。Sheisnotaslave，butoneofthepersonalattendantsontheQueen。）
Butnowfromthehousecomesoneofherwomenservants，allintears。WhatnowshallIlearn？（TotheweepingServant）Itiswelltoweepwhenourlordsareinsorrow—buttellus，wewouldknow，isshealive，isshedead？
SERVANT
Youmaysaysheisbothaliveanddead。
LEADER
Howcanthesamemanbedeadandyetbeholdthelight？
SERVANT
Shegasps，sheisonthevergeofdeath。
LEADER
Ah，unhappyman！Forsuchahusbandwhatlossissuchawife！
SERVANT
TheKingwillnotknowhislossuntilhesuffersit。
LEADER
Thenthereisnohopethatherlifemaybesaved？
SERVANT
Thefateddayconstrainsher。
LEADER
Areallthingsbefittingpreparedforher？
SERVANT
Therobesinwhichherlordwillburyherareready。
LEADER
Thenletherknowthatshediesgloriously，thebestofwomenbeneaththesunbyfar！
SERVANT
Howshouldshenotbethebest！Whoshalldenyit？Whatshouldthebestamongwomenbe？Howbettermightawomanholdfaithtoherlordthangladlytodieforhim？Thisthewholecityknows，butyouwillmarvelwhenyouhearwhatshehasdonewithinthehouse。Whensheknewthatthelastofherdayswascomeshebathedherwhitebodyinriverwater，shetookgarmentsandgemsfromherroomsofcedarwood，andcladherselfnobly；then，standingbeforethehearth—shrine，sheutteredthisprayer：
’OGoddess，sincenowImustdescendbeneaththeearth，forthelasttimeImakesupplicationtoyou：andentreatyoutoprotectmymotherlesschildren。Wedmysontoafairbride，andmydaughtertoanoblehusband。Letnotmychildrendieuntimely，asItheirmotheramdestroyed，butgrantthattheyliveouthappyliveswithgoodfortuneintheirownland！’
ToeveryaltarinAdmetus’shouseshewent，hungthemwithgarlands。offeredprayer，cutmyrtleboughs—unweeping，unlamenting；
nordidthecomingdoomchangethebrightcolourofherface。
Thentohermarriage—roomshewent，flungherselfdownuponherbed，andwept，andsaid：
’Omymarriage—bed，whereinIloosedmyvirgingirdletohimforwhomIdie！Farewell！Ihavenohatredforyou。Onlymeyoulose。
BecauseIheldmyfaithtoyouandtomylord—Imustdie。Anotherwomanshallpossessyou，notmorechasteindeedthanI，morefortunateperhaps。’
Shefelluponherkneesandkissedit，andallthebedwasdampwiththe，tideoftearswhichfloodedtohereyes。Andwhenshewasfulfilledofmanytears，droopingsherosefromherbedandmadeasiftogo，andmanytimessheturnedtogoandmanytimesturnedback，andflungherselfoncemoreuponthebed。
Herchildrenclungtotheirmother’sdress，andwept；andsheclaspedtheminherarmsandkissedthemturnbyturn，asadyingwoman。
AlltheservantsinthehouseweptwithcompassionfortheirQueen，Butsheheldoutherhandtoeach，andtherewasnonesobasetowhomshedidnotspeak，andwhodidnotreplyagain。
SuchisthemiseryinAdmetus’shouse。Ifhehaddied，hewouldbenothingnow；and，havingescaped，hesuffersanagonyhewillneverforget。
LEADER
AnddoesAdmetuslamentthiswoe—sincehemustberobbedofsonobleawoman？
SERVANT
Heweeps，andclaspsinhisarmshisdearbedfellow，andcriestohernottoabandonhim，askingimpossiblethings。Forshepines，andiswastedbysickness。Shefallsaway，afrailburdenonhisarm；andyet，thoughfaintly，shestillbreathes，stillstrivestolookuponthesunlight，whichsheshallneverseehereafter—sincenowforthelasttimeshelooksupontheorbandsplendourofthesunI
Igo，andshallannouncethatyouarehere；forallmenarenotsowell—mindedtotheirlordsasloyallytostandneartheminmisfortunes，butyouforlonghavebeenafriendtobothmylords。
（Shegoesbackintothewomen’squartersofthePalace。TheCHORUSnowbeginstosing。）
FIRSTSEMI—CHORUS
OZeus，Whatendtothesewoes？
WhatescapefromtheFateWhichoppressesourlords？
SECONDSEMI—CHORUS
Willnonecomeforth？
MustIshearmyhair？
MustwewrapourselvesInblackmourningfolds？
FIRSTSEMI—CHORUS
Itiscertain，Ofriends，itiscertain？
ButstillletuscrytotheGods；
VerygreatisthepoweroftheGods。
CHORUS
OKing，OHealer，SeekoutappeasementToAdmetus’sagony！
Grantthis，Oh，grantit！
Oncebeforedidyoufindit；
NowoncemoreBetheReleaserfromdeath。
TheRestrainerofblood—drenchedHades！
SECONDSEMI—CHORUS
Alas！
OsonofPheres。
WhatillsshallyousufferBeingrobbedofyourspouse！
FIRSTSEMI—CHORUS
AtsightofsuchwoesShallwecutourthroats？
ShallweslipAdanglingnooseroundournecks？
CHORUS
See！See！
ShecomesFromthehousewithherlord！
Cryout，Oh，lament。
OlandofPherae，ForthebestofwomenFadesawayinherdoomUndertheearth，TodarkHades！
（FromthecentraldoorofthePalacecomesasplendidbuttragicalprocession。Precededbytheroyalguards，ADMETUSenters，supportingALCESTIS。Thetwochildren，aboyandagirl，clingtotheirmother’sdress。Thereisatrainofattendantsandwaitingwomen，whobringalowthroneforthefaintingALCESTIS。）
LEADEROFTHECHORUS（chanting）
NevershallIsaythatweoughttorejoiceinmarriage，butratherweep；thishaveIseenfromofoldandnowIlookuponthefateoftheKing，wholosesthebestofwives，andhenceforthuntiltheendhislifeshallbeintolerable。
ALCESTIS（chanting）
Sun，andyou，lightofday，Vastwhirlingsofswiftcloud！
ADMETUS
Thesunlooksuponyouandme，bothofusmiserable，whohavewroughtnothingagainsttheGodstodeservedeath。
ALCESTIS（chanting）
OEarth，Oroof—treeofmyhome，Bridal—bedofmycountry，Iolcus！
ADMETUS
Rouseup，Ounhappyone，and，donotleaveme！CalluponthemightyGodstopity！
ALCESTIS（startingupandgazingwildlyinterror，chanting）
Iseethetwo—oaredboat，Iseetheboatonthelake！
AndCharon，FerrymanoftheDead，Callstome，hishandontheoar：
’Whylinger？Hasten！Youdelayme！’
Angrilyheurgesme。
ADMETUS
Alas！Howbittertomeisthatferryingofwhichyouspeak！Omyunhappyone，howwesuffer！
ALCESTIS（chanting）
Hedragsme，hedragsmeaway—
Doyounotsee？—
TotheHouseoftheDead，TheWingedOneGlaringunderdarkbrows，Hades！—
Whatisityoudo？
Setmefree！—
WhatapathmustItravel，Omosthaplessofwomen！
ADMETUS
Opiteoustothosethatloveyou，abovealltomeandtothesechildrenwhosorrowinthiscommongrief！
ALCESTIS（chanting）
Looseme，Oh，loosemenow；
Laymedown；
Allstrengthisgonefrommyfeet。
（Shefallsbackinthethrone。）
Hadesdrawsnear！
Darknightfallsonmyeyes，Mychildren，mychildren，Nevermore，Oh，nevermoreShallyourmotherbeyours！
Ochildren，farewell，Livehappyinthelightofday！
ADMETUS（chanting）
Alas！Ihearthisunhappyspeech，andformeitisworsethanalldeath。Ah！BytheGods，donotabandonme！Ah！Byourchildren，whomyouleavemotherless，takeheart！Ifyoudie，Ibecomeasnothing；inyouwehaveourlifeanddeath；werevereyourlove。
ALCESTIS（recoveringherself）
Admetus，youseethethingsIsuffer；andnowbeforeIdieI
meantotellyouwhatIwish。
Toshowyouhonourand—atthecostofmylife—thatyoumaystillbeholdthelight，Idie；andyetImighthavelivedandweddedanyinThessalyIchose，anddweltwithhappinessinaroyalhome。But，tornfromyou，Iwouldnotlivewithfatherlesschildren，norhaveI
hoardedupthosegiftsofyouthinwhichIfounddelight。Yethewhobegotyou，shewhobroughtyouforth，abandonedyouwhenithadbeenbeautifulinthemtodie，beautifultodiewithdignitytosavetheirson！Theyhadnochildbutyou，nohopeifyouweredeadthatotherchildrenmightbeborntothem。ThusIshouldhavelivedmylifeout，andyoutoo，andyouwouldnotlamentasnow，madesolitaryfromyourwife，thatyoumustrearourchildrenmotherless！
ButthesethingsareaGod’sdoingandarethus。
Well！Donotforgetthisgift，forIshallask—notarecompense，sincenothingismorepreciousthanlife，but—onlywhatisjust，asyouyourselfwillsay，sinceifyouhavenotlostyoursensesyoumustlovethesechildrennolessthanI。Letthembemastersinmyhouse；
marrynotagain，andsetastepmotheroverthem，awomanharsherthanI，whoinherjealousywillliftherhandagainstmychildrenandyours。Ah！notthis，letnotthisbe，Ientreatyou！Thenewstepmotherhatesthefirstwife’schildren，theviperitselfisnotmorecruel。Thesonindeedfindsastrongrampartinhisfather—butyou，mydaughter，howshallyouliveyourvirginlifeoutinhappiness？Howwillyoufarewithyourfather’snewwife？Ah！Lethernotcastevilreportuponyouandthuswreckyourmarriageintheheightofyouryouth！Youwillhavenomother，Omychild，togiveyouinmarriage，tocomfortyouinchildbedwhennoneistendererthanamother！
AndImustdie。Notto—morrow。norto—morrow’smorrowcomesthismisfortuneonme，butevennowIshallbenamedwiththosethatarenomore。Farewell！Livehappy！You，myhusband，mayboastyouhadthebestofwives；andyou，mychildren，thatyoulostthebestofmothers！
（Shefallsback。）
LEADER
Takeheart！Idonothesitatetospeakforhim。Thishewilldo，unlesshehaslosthissenses。
ADMETUS
Itshallbeso，itshallbe！Havenofear！AndsinceIheldyoulivingasmywife，so，whendead，youonlyshallbecalledmywife，andinyourplacenobrideofThessalyshallsalutemehers；nootherwomanisnobleenoughforthat，nootherindeedsobeautifulofface。Mychildrenshallsufficeme；IpraytheGodsImayenjoythem，sinceyouwehavenotenjoyed。
Ishallwearmourningforyou，Omywife，notforoneyearbutallmydays，abhorringthewomanwhoboreme，hatingmyfather—fortheylovedmeinwords，notdeeds。Butyou—tosavemylifeyougivethedearestthingyouhave！ShouldInotweepthen，losingsuchawifeasyou？
Ishallmakeanendofmerrydrinkingparties，andofflower—crownedfeastsandofthemusicwhichpossessedmyhouse。NeveragainshallItouchthelyre，neveragainshallIraisemyspiritstosingtotheLibyanflute—foryouhavetakenfrommeallmyjoy。
Yourimage，carvenbytheskilledhandsofartists，shallbelaidinourmarriage—bed；Ishallclaspit，andmyhandsshallclingtoitandIshallspeakyournameandso，nothavingyou，shallthinkIhavemydearwifeinmyarms—acolddelight，Iknow，butitwilllightentheburdenofmydays。Oftenyouwillgladdenme，appearinginmydreams；forsweetitistolookonthoseweloveindreams，howeverbriefthenight。
Ah！IfIhadthetongueandsongofOrpheussothatImightcharmDemeter’sDaughterorherLord，andsnatchyoubackfromHades，wouldgodowntohell；andneitherPluto’sdognorCharon，LeaderoftheDead，shouldhindermeuntilIhadbroughtyourlifebacktothelight！
AtleastawaitmetherewheneverIshalldie，andpreparethehousewhereyouwilldwellwithme。Ishalllayasolemnchargeuponthesechildrentostretchmeinthesamecedarshroudwithyou，andlaymysideagainstyourside；forevenindeathletmenotbeseparatefromyou，youwhoalonewerefaithfultome！
LEADER（toADMETUS）
AndIalsowillkeepthissadmourningwithyou，asafriendwithafriend；forsheisworthyofit。
ALCESTIS
Omychildren，youhaveheardyourfathersaythatneverwillhesetanotherwifeoveryouandneverthusinsultme。
ADMETUS
AgainIsayit，andwillperformittoo！
ALCESTIS（placingthechildren’shandsinhis）
Thentakethesechildrenfrommyhand。
ADMETUS
Itakethem—deargiftsfromadearhand。
ALCESTIS
Nowyoumustbethemotherformetomychildren。
ADMETUS
Itmustbeso，sincetheyarerobbedofyou。
ALCESTIS
Ochildren，Ishouldhavelivedmylifeout—andIgototheUnderworld。
ADMETUS
Alas！WhatshallIdo，leftalonebyyou？
ALCESTIS
Timewillconsoleyou。Thedeadarenothing。
ADMETUS
Takemewithyou，bytheGods！TakemetotheUnderworld！
ALCESTIS
ItisenoughthatIshoulddie—foryou。
ADMETUS
OFate，whatawifeyoustealfromme！
ALCESTIS（growingfaint）
Mydimmedeyesareheavilyoppressed。
ADMETUS
Owoman，Iamlostifyouleaveme！
ALCESTIS
YoumaysayofmethatIamnothing。
ADMETUS
Liftupyourhead！Donotabandonyourchildren！
ALCESTIS
Ah！Indeeditisunwillingly—but，farewell，mychildren！
ADMETUS
Lookatthem，look……
ALCESTIS
Iamnothing。
ADMETUS
Whatareyoudoing？Areyouleavingme？
ALCESTIS（fallingbackdead）
Farewell。
ADMETUS（staringatthebody）
WretchthatIam，Iamlost！
LEADER
Sheisgone！ThewifeofAdmetusisnomore。
EUMELUS（chanting）
Ah！Misery！
Motherhasgone，GonetotheUnderworld！
Shelivesnomore，OmyFather，Inthesunlight。
Osadone，YouhaveleftusTolivemotherless！
See，Oh，seehereyelidsAndherdroopinghands！
Mother，Mother，Hearkentome，listen，Ibeseechyou！
I—I—Mother！—
Iamcallingtoyou，Yourlittlebirdfallenuponyourface！
ADMETUS
Shehearsnot，sheseesnot。YouandIaresmittenbyadreadcalamity。
EUMELUS（chanting）
Father，Iamachild，AndIamleftLikealonelyshipBythemotherIloved。
Oh！ThecruelthingsIsuffer！
Andyou，littlesister，Sufferwithme。
OmyFather，Vain，vainwasyourwedding，YoudidnotwalkwithherTotheendofoldage。
Shediedfirst；
Andyourdeath，OMother，Destroysourhouse。
LEADER
Admetus，youmustendurethiscalamity。Youarenotthefirstandwillnotbethelasttoloseanoblewife。Weallaredoomedtodie。
ADMETUS
Iknowit。
Notunawaresdidthiswoeswoopdownonme；forlongithasgnawedatme。
But，sinceIshallordainthefuneralritesforthisdeadbody，youmustbethere，andmeanwhileletathrenodyre—echototheimplacableGodoftheUnderworld。AndallyoumenofThessalywhomI
rule—Iorderyoutosharethemourningforthiswomanwithseveredhairandblack—robedgarb。Youwhoyokethefour—horsedchariotandtheswiftsinglehorses，cutthemanefromtheirneckswithyoursteel。
Lettherebenonoiseofflutesorlyrewithinthecityuntiltwelvemoonsarefulfilled。NevershallIburyanotherbodysodeartome，neveronethathaslovedmebetter。Frommeshedeservesallhonour，sinceshealonewoulddieforme！
（ThebodyofALCESTISiscarriedsolemnlyintothePalace，followedbyADMETUS，Withbowedhead，holdingoneofhischildrenbyeachhand。Whenallhaveentered，thegreatdoorsarequietlyshut。）
CHORUS（singing）
strophe1
ODaughterofPelias，HailtoyouinthehouseofHades，Inthesunlesshomewhereyoushalldwell！
LetHades，thedark—hairedGod，Lettheoldman，LeaderoftheDead，Whositsattheoarandhelm，Knowyou：
Far，faroffisthebestofwomenBornebeyondthefloodofAcheronInthetwo—oaredboat！
antistrophe1
OftenshalltheMuses’servantsSingofyoutotheseven—tonedLyre—shellofthemountain—tortoise，AndpraiseyouwithmourningsongsatSpartaWhenthecirclingseasonBringsbackthemonthCarneiusUnderthenightlongupraisedmoon，AndinbrightgladAthens。
SuchathemedoyouleavebyyourdeathForthemusicofsingers！
strophe2
Ah！ThatIhadthepowerTobringyoubacktothelightFromthedarkhallsofHades，AndfromthewavesofCocytusWiththeoaroftheriverofhellOh，youonly，Odearestofwomen，YouonlydaredgiveyourlifeForthelifeofyourlordinHades！
Lightresttheearthaboveyou，Owoman。
Ifyourlordchooseanotherbridal—bedHeshallbehatefultomeAstoyourownchildren。
antistrophe2
WhenhismotherAndtheoldfatherthatbegothimWouldnotgivetheirbodiestotheearthFortheirson’ssake，Theydarednotdeliverhim—Ocruel！
Thoughtheirheadsweregrey。
Butyou，Inyourlivelyyouth，Diedforhim，andaregonefromthelight！
Ah！mightIbejoinedWithawifesodear！
Butinlifesuchfortuneisrare。
Howhappyweremydayswithher！
（FromtheleftHERACLESenters。Heisblack—beardedandofgreatphysicalstrength；hewearsalion—skinoverhisshouldersandcarriesalargeclub。）
HERACLES（withagestureofsalutation）
Friends，dwellersinthelandsofPherae，doIfindAdmetusinhishome？
LEADEROFTHECHORUS
ThesonofPheresisinhishome，OHeracles。But，tellus，whatbringsyoutothelandofThessalyandtothecityofPherae？
HERACLES
IhaveataskImustachieveforEurystheusofTiryns。
LEADER
Wheredoyougo？Towhatquestareyouyoked？
HERACLES
Thequestofthefour—horsedchariotofDiomedes，theThracian。
LEADER
Buthowwillyouachieveit？Doyouknowthisstranger？
HERACLES
No，IhaveneverbeentothelandoftheBistones。
LEADER
Youcannotobtainthehorseswithoutastruggle。
HERACLES
Icannotrenouncemylabours。
LEADER
Youmustkilltoreturn，oryouwillremaintheredead。
HERACLES
ItwillnotbethefirstcontestIhaverisked。
LEADER
AndifyouconquertheKingwillyougainanything？
HERACLES
IshallbringbackhisfoalstothelordofTiryns。
LEADER
Itisnoteasytothrustthebitintotheirjaws。
HERACLES
Onlyiftheybreathefirefromtheirnostrils！
LEADER
Buttheytearmenwiththeirswiftjaws。
HERACLES
Youspeakofthefoodofwildmountainbeasts，notofhorses。
LEADER
Youmayseetheirmangersfoulwithblood。
HERACLES
Ofwhatfatherdoesthebreederboasthimselftheson？
LEADER
OfAres，thelordofthegold—richshieldofThrace！
HERACLES
Inthistaskoncemoreyouremindmeofmyfate，whichiseveruponharshsteepways，sinceImustjoinbattlewiththesonsofAres—firstwithLycaon，thenwithCycnus，andnowinthisthirdcontestIamcometomatchmyselfwiththesesteedsandtheirmaster！
LEADER
Butsee，thelordofthisland，Admetushimself，comesfromthehouse！
（ThecentraldoorsofthePalacehaveopened，andADMETUScomesslowlyontheStage，precededandfollowedbyguardsandattendants。
TheKinghasputoffallsymbolsofroyalty，andisdressedinblack。Histonghairisclippedclosetohishead。ADMETUS
dissembleshisgriefthroughoutthisscene，inobediencetothelawsofhospitality，whichwereparticularlyreverencedinThessaly。）
ADMETUS
HailSonofZeusandofthebloodofPerseus！
HERACLES
Andhailtoyou，Admetus，lordoftheThessaliansADMETUS
Mayitbeso！Iknowyourfriendshipwell。
HERACLES
Whatmeansthisshornhair，thismourningrobe？
ADMETUS
To—dayImustburyadeadbody。
HERACLES
MayaGodavertharmfromyourchildren！
ADMETUS
ThechildrenIhavebegottenarealiveinthehouse。
HERACLES
Yourfatherwasripefordeath—ifitishehasgone？
ADMETUS
Helives—andshewhobroughtmeforth，OHeracles。
HERACLES
Yourwife—Alcestis—sheisnotdead？
ADMETUS（evasively）
OfherImightmakeadoubleanswer。
HERACLES
Doyoumeanthatsheisdeadoralive？
ADMETUS（ambiguously）
Sheisandisnot—andforthisIgrieve。
HERACLES（perplexed）
Iamnowiser—youspeakobscurely。
ADMETUS
Didyounotknowthefatewhichmustbefallher？
HERACLES
Iknowshesubmittedtodieforyou。
ADMETUS
Howthencanshebealive，havingconsentedtothis？
HERACLES
Ah！Donotweepforyourwifetillthattimecomes。
ADMETUS
Thosewhoareabouttodiearedead，andthedeadarenothing。
HERACLES
Menholdthattobeandnottobearedifferentthings。
ADMETUS
Youholdforone，Heracles，andIfortheother。
HERACLES
Whom，then，doyoumourn？Whichofyourfriendsisdead？
ADMETUS
Awoman。Wespokeofherjustnow。
HERACLES（mistakinghismeaning）
Astranger？Oronebornofyourkin？
ADMETUS
Astranger，butonerelatedtothishouse。
HERACLES
Buthow，then，didshechancetodieinyourhouse？
ADMETUS
Whenherfatherdiedshewasshelteredhere。
HERACLES
Alas！WouldIhadnotfoundyouinthisgrief，Admetus！
ADMETUS
Whatplanareyouweavingwiththosewords？
HERACLES
Ishallgotothehearthofanotherfriend。