ADMETUS
Notso，OKing！Thiswrongmustnotbe。
HERACLES（hesitating）
Thecomingofaguestistroublesometothosewhomourn。
ADMETUS（decisively）
Thedeadaredead。Entermyhouse。
HERACLES
Butitisshamefultofeastamongweepingfriends。
ADMETUS
Weshallputyouintheguest—rooms，whicharefarapart。
HERACLES
Letmego，andIwillgiveyouathousandthanks。
ADMETUS
No，youshallnotgotoanotherman’shearth。（Toaservant）Guidehim，andopenforhimtheguest—roomsapartfromthehouse。
（HERACLESentersthePalacebytheguests’door；whenhehasgonein，ADMETUSturnstotheotherservants）Closetheinnerdoorofthecourtyard；itisunseemlythatguestsrejoicingattableshouldhearlamentations，andbesaddened。
（TheattendantsgointothePalace。）
LEADER
Whatareyouabout？Whensuchacalamityhasfallenuponyou，Admetus，haveyouthehearttoentertainaguest？Areyoumad？
ADMETUS
AndifIhaddrivenawayaguestwhocametomyhouseandcity，wouldyouhavepraisedmemore？No，indeed！Mymisfortunewouldhavebeennoless，andIinhospitable。OnemoreillwouldhavebeenaddedtothoseIhaveifmyhousewerecalledinhospitable。ImyselffindhimthebestofhostswhenIenterthethirstylandofArgos。
LEADER
Butwhydidyouhidefromhimthefatethathasbefallen，ifthemancameasafriend，asyousay？
ADMETUS
Neverwouldhehaveenteredmyhouseifhehadguessedmymisfortune。
Tosome，Iknow，Ishallappearsenselessindoingthis，andtheywillblameme；butmyroofknowsnottorejectorinsultaguest。
（HegoesintothePalace，astheCHORUSbeginsitssong。）
CHORUS（singing）
strophe1
Ohouseofabountifullord，Everopentomanyguests，TheGodofPytho，Apolloofthebeautifullyre，DeignedtodwellinyouAndtoliveashepherdinyourlands！
OntheslopeofthehillsidesHeplayedmelodiesofmatingOnthePipesofPantohisherds。
antistrophe1
AndthedappledlynxesfedwiththemInjoyatyoursinging；
FromthewoodedvaleofOrthrysCameayellowtroopoflions；
Tothesoundofyourlyre，OPhoebus，DancedthedappledfawnMovingonlightfeetBeyondthehigh—crestedpines，Charmedbyyoursweetsinging。
strophe2
HedwellsinahomemostrichinflocksBythelovelymovingBoebianlake。
Atthedarkstabling—placeoftheSunHetakestheskyoftheMolossiansAsabournetohisploughingoffields，Tothesoilsofhisplains；
HebearsswayAsfarastheharbourlessCoastoftheAegeanSea，AsfarasPelion。
antistrophe2
Evento—dayheopenedhishouseAndreceivedaguest，ThoughhiseyelidswerewetWithtearsweptbythecorpseOfadearbedfellowdeadinthehouse。
Forthenoblespiritisproclaimedbyhonour；
Allwisdomlieswiththegood。
Iadmirehim：
AndinmysoulIknowThedevoutmanshallhavejoy。
（ThefuneralprocessionofALCESTISentersfromthedoorofthewomen’squarters。Thebody，carriedonabierbymenservants，isfollowedbyADMETUSandhistwochildren。Behindthemcomesatrainofattendantsandservantscarryingthefuneralofferings。Allareinmourning。ADMETUSaddressestheCHORUS。）
ADMETUS
OfriendlypresenceofyoumenofPherae！Nowthatthebodyisprepared，andtheservantsbearitonhightothetombandthefire，doyou，asisfitting，salutethedeadasshegoesforthonherlastjourney。
（PHERES，thefatherofADMETUS，enters，followedbyattendantsbearingfuneralofferings。）
LEADEROFTHECHORUS
ButIseeyourfather，totteringwithanoldman’swalk，andhisfollowersbearingintheirhandsforyourwifegarmentsasanofferingtothedead。
PHERES
Myson，Ihavecometoshareyoursorrow，forthewifeyouhavelostwasindeednobleandvirtuous—nonecandenyit。Butthesethingsmustbeendured，howeverintolerabletheymaybe。
Takethesegarments，andletherdescendundertheearth。Herbodymustbehonoured，forshediedtosaveyourlife，myson；shehasnotmademechildless，norleftmetobedestroyedwithoutyouinmyhaplessoldage；andshehasgivengloriousfametoallwomenbydaringsonobleadeed！（HeliftshishandinsalutationtothebodyofALCESTIS。）Owoman，whosavedmyson，whoraisedmeupwhenIhadfallen，hail！BehappyinthehallsofHades！Ideclareit—suchmarriagesareprofitabletomankind；otherwise，itisfoolishtomarry。
ADMETUS（furiously）
Itwasnotmywishthatyoushouldcometothisburial，andIdenythatyourpresenceisthatofafriend！Sheshallneverwearthesegarmentsofyours；sheneedsnotyourgiftsforherburial。YoushouldhavegrievedwhenIwas，abouttodie；butyoustoodaside，andnowdoyoucometowailoveracorpsewhenyou，anoldman，allowedayoungwomantodie？
Wereyouinverytruthfatherofthisbodyofmine？Didshe，whoclaimstobeandiscalledmymother，bringmeforth？OrwasIbredofaslave’sseedandsecretlybroughttoyourwife’sbreast？Youhaveprovedwhatyouarewhenitcomestothetest，andthereforeIamnotyourbegottenson；oryousurpassallmenincowardice，for，beingattheveryvergeandendoflife，youhadneithercouragenorwilltodieforyourson。Butthisyoulefttoawoman，astranger，whomaloneIholdasmyfatherandmymother！
Yetithadbeenabeautifuldeedinyoutodieforyourson，andshortindeedwasthetimeleftyoutolive。SheandIwouldhavelivedoutourlives，andIshouldnotnowbeherealonelamentingmymisery。
Youenjoyedallthatahappymancanenjoy—youpassedtheflowerofyourageasaking，andinmeyoursonyouhadanheirtoyourdominion；youwouldnothavediedchildless，leavinganorphanedhousetobeplunderedbystrangers。YouwillnotsaythatyouabandonedmetodeathbecauseIdishonouredyouroldage，foraboveallIwasrespectfultoyou—andthisisthegratitudeIhavefromyouandmymother！
Begetmoresons，andquickly，tocherishyouroldageandwrapyouinashroudwhendeadandlayyourbodyoutinstate！Thishandofmineshallnotinteryou。Iamdeadtoyou。Ilookuponthelightofdaybecauseanothersavedme—IsayIamherson，andwillcherishheroldage！
Vainlydooldmenprayfordeath，regrettingtheirageandthelongspanoflife。Ifdeathdrawsnear，nonewantstodie，andageisnomoreaburdentohim。
LEADER
Admetus！Thepresentmisfortuneisenough。Donotprovokeyourfather’sspirit。
（ADMETUSturnsangrilytodepart，butPHERESpreventshim。）
PHERES
Myson，doyouthinkyouarepursuingsomehirelingLydianorPhrygianwithyourtaunts？DoyouknowIamaThessalian，afreemanlawfullybegottenbyaThessalianfather？Youareover—insolent，andyoushallnotleavethus，afterwoundingmewithyourboyishinsults。Iindeedbegotyou，andbredyouuptobelordofthisland，butIamnotboundtodieforyou。ItisnotalawofourancestorsorofHellasthatthefathersshoulddieforthechildren！
Youwereborntoliveyourownlife，whethermiserableorfortunate；
andwhatisduetoyoufrommeyouhave。Youruleovermanymen，andI
shallleaveyoumanywidefieldsevenasreceivedthemfrommyownfather。How，then，haveIwrongedyou？OfwhathaveIrobbedyou？Donotdieforme，anymorethanIdieforyou。Youlovetolookuponthelightofday—doyouthinkyourfatherhatesit？Itellmyselfthatwearealongtimeundergroundandthatlifeisshort，butsweet。
Butyou—youstroveshamelesslynottodie，andyouarealive，youshirkedyourfatebykillingher！Andyoucallmeacoward，you，theworstofcowards，surpassedbyawomanwhodiedforyou，prettyboy？Andnowyouinsultthosewhoshouldbedeartoyou，whentheyrefusetodieforacowardlikeyou！
Besilent！Learnthatifyouloveyourlife，sodoothers。Ifyouutterinsults，youshallhearmany，andtrueonestoo！
LEADER
Theseinsultsandthosethatwentbeforesuffice。Oldman，ceasetorevileyourson。
ADMETUS（toPHERES）
Speakon！Ishallrefuteyou。Ifthetruthwoundsyouwhenyouhearityoushouldnothavewrongedme。
PHERES
IshouldhavewrongedyoufarmoreifIhaddiedforyou。
ADMETUS
Itisthesamethentodieanoldmanandinthefloweroflife？
PHERES
Weshouldliveonelife，nottwo。
ADMETUS
MayyoulivelongerthanGod！
PHERES
Doyoucurseyourparentswhentheyhavedoneyounowrong？
ADMETUS
Iseeyouareinlovewithlonglife。
PHERES
Butyouarenotcarryingherdeadbodyinplaceofyourown？
ADMETUS
Itistheproofofyourcowardice，Oworstofmen。
PHERES
Youcannotsayshediedforme！
ADMETUS
Alas！Mayyouonedayneedmyhelp。
PHERES
Woomanywomen，sothatmoremaydieforyou。
ADMETUS
Toyourshamebeit—youwhodarednotdie。
PHERES
SweetisthedaylightoftheGods，verysweet。
ADMETUS
Yourspiritismean，notaman’s。
PHERES
Wouldyoulaughtocarryanoldman’sbodytothegrave？
ADMETUS
Youwilldieinfamous，wheneveryoudie。
PHERES
ItwillmatterlittleenoughtometohearillofmyselfwhenIamdead！
ADMETUS
Alas！Alas！fullofimpudence。isoldage！
PHERES
Shewasnotimpudent，butfoolish，ADMETUS
Go！Leavemetoburyherbody。
PHERES（turningaway）
Igo。You，hermurderer，willburyher—butsoonyoumustrenderanaccounttoherrelatives。Acastusisnotamanifhefailstoavengehissister’sbloodonyou！
（PHERESgoesoutbythewayheentered，followedbyhisattendants。ADMETUSgazesangrilyafterhim。）
ADMETUS
Gowithacurse，you，andshewhodwellswithyou！Growold，asyouought，childlessthoughyouhaveachild。Youshallneverreturntothishouse。AndifIcouldrenounceyourhearthasmyfather’sbyheralds，Iwoulddoit。Butwe—sincethissorrowmustbeendured—letusgo，andsetherbodyonthefuneralpyre。
（TheProcessionmovesslowlyalongthestage，andisjoinedbytheCHORUS。Astheypass，theLEADERsalutesthebodyofALCESTIS。）
LEADER（chanting）
Alas！Alas！Youwhosufferforyourcourage，Onoblestandbestofwomen，hail！MayHermesoftheDead，mayHades，greetyoukindly。Iftherearerewardsforthedead，mayyousharethemasyousitbythebrideoftheLordoftheDead！
（TheProcessionhasfiledout。Aservantinmourninghurriesoutfromtheguests’quarters。）
SERVANT
Manyguestsfromeveryland，Iknow，havecometothePalaceofAdmetus，andIhavesetfoodbeforethem，butneveroneworsethanthisguesthaveIwelcomedtothehearth。
First，thoughhesawourLordwasinmourning，heentered，anddaredtopassthroughthegates。Then，knowingourmisfortune，hedidnotsoberlyacceptwhatwasofferedhim，butifanythingwasnotservedtohimheorderedustobringit。Inbothhandshetookacupofivy—wood，anddranktheunmixedwineofthedarkgrape—mother，untilhewasencompassedandheatedwiththeflameofwine。Hecrownedhisheadwithmyrtlesprays，howlingdiscordantsongs。TherewashecaringnothingforAdmetus’smisery，andweservantsweepingforourQueen；andyetwehidourtear—ladeneyesfromtheguest，forsoAdmetushadcommanded。
AndnowinthePalaceImustentertainthisstranger，somevillainousthiefandbrigand，whileshe，theQueenImourn，hasgonefromthehouseunfollowed，unsaluted，shewhowasasamothertomeandallusservants，forsheshelteredusfromamyriadtroublesbysofteningherhusband’swrath。
AmInotright，then，tohatethisstranger，whocametousinthemidstofsorrow？
（HERACLEScomesfromthePalace。Heisdrunkenlymerry，withamyrtlewreathonhishead，andalargecupandwine—skininhishands。
Hestaggersalittle。）
HERACLES
Hey，you！Whysosolemnandanxious？Aservantshouldnotbesullenwithguests，butgreetthemwithacheerfulheart。
Youseebeforeyouamanwhoisyourlord’sfriend，andyougreethimwithagloomy，frowningface，becauseofyourzealaboutastrangewoman’sdeath。Comehere，andletmemakeyoualittlewiser！
（Withdrunkengravity）Knowthenatureofhumanlife？Don’tthinkyoudo。Youcouldn’t。Listentome。Allmortalsmustdie。
Isn’tonewhoknowsifhe’llbealiveto—morrowmorning。WhoknowswhereFortunewilllead？Nobodycanteachit。Nobodylearnitbyrules。So，rejoiceinwhatyouhear，andlearnfromme！CounteachdayasitcomesasLife—andleavetheresttoFortune。Aboveall，honourtheLoveGoddess，sweetestofalltheGodstomortalmen，akindlygoddess！Putalltherestaside。TrustinwhatIsay，ifyouthinkI
speaktruth—asIbelieve。Getridofthisgloom，risesuperiortoFortune。Crownyourselfwithflowersanddrinkwithme，won’tyou？I
knowtheregularclinkofthewine—cupwillrowyoufromdarknessandgloomtoanotherhaven。Mortalsshouldthinkmortalthoughts。Toallsolemnandfrowningmen，lifeIsayisnotlife，butadisaster。
SERVANT
Weknowallthat，butwhatweendurehereto—dayisfarindeedfromgladnessandlaughter。
HERACLES
Butthedeadwomanwasastranger。Lamentnotovermuch，then，fortheLordsofthisPalacearestillalive。
SERVANT
How，alive？Doyounotknowthemiseryofthishouse？
HERACLES
Yourlorddidnotlietome？
SERVANT
Hegoestoofarinhospitality！
HERACLES
ButwhyshouldIsufferforastranger’sdeath？
SERVANT
Ittouchesthishouseonlytoonearly。
HERACLES
Didhehidesomemisfortunefromme？
SERVANT
Goinpeace！Themiseriesofourlordsconcernus。
HERACLES
Thatspeechdoesnotimplymourningforastranger！
SERVANT
No，orIshouldnothavebeendisgustedtoseeyoudrinking。
HERACLES
HaveIthenbeenbaselytreatedbymyhost？
SERVANT
Youdidnotcometothishouseatawelcomehour。Weareinmourning。YouseemyheadisshavedandtheblackgarmentsIwear。
HERACLES
Butwho，then，isdead？Oneofthechildren？Theoldfather？
SERVANT
Ostranger，Admetusnolongerhasawife。
HERACLES
What！AndyetIwasreceivedinthisway？
SERVANT
Hewasashamedtosendyouawayfromhishouse。
HERACLES
Ohaplessone！Whatawifeyouhavelost！
SERVANT
Notshealone，butallofusarelost。
HERACLES（nowcompletelysobered）
IfelttherewassomethingwhenIsawhistear—weteyes，hisshavenhead，hisdistractedlook。Buthepersuadedmehewastakingthebodyofastrangertothegrave。AgainstmywillIenteredtheseates，anddrankinthehomeofthisgenerousman—andheinsuchgrief！
AndshallIdrinkatsuchatimewithgarlandsofflowersonmyhead？You，whydidyounottellmethatsuchmiseryhadcomeuponthishouse？Whereisheburyingher？WhereshallIfindhim？
SERVANT
BesidethestraightroadwhichleadstoLarissayouwillseeatombofpolishedstoneoutsidethewalls。
（Returnstotheservants’quarters）
HERACLES
Oheartofme，much—enduringheart，Orightarm，nowindeedmustyoushowwhatsonwasborntoZeusbyAlcmena，theTirynthian，daughterofElectryon！ForImustsavethisdeadwoman，andbringbackAlcestistothishouseasagracetoAdmetus。
IshallwatchforDeath，theblack—robedLordoftheDead，andI
knowIshallfindhimnearthetomb，drinkingthebloodofthesacrifices。Ifcanleapuponhimfromanambush，seizehim，grasphiminmyarms，nopowerintheworldshalltearhisbruisedsidesfrommeuntilhehasyieldedupthiswoman。IfImissmyprey，ifhedoesnotcomenearthebleedingsacrifice，IwillgodowntoKoreandherlordintheirsunlessdwelling，andIwillmakemyentreatytothem，andIknowtheywillgivemeAlcestistobringbacktothehandsofthehostwhowelcomedme，whodidnotrepulsemefromhishouse，thoughhewassmittenwithheavywoewhichmostnoblyhehidfromme！WherewouldbeawarmerwelcomeinThessalyorinallthedwellingsofHellas？
Heshallnotsayhewasgeneroustoaningrate！
（HERACLESgoesout。PresentlyADMETUSandhisattendants，followedbytheCHORUS，returnfromtheburialofALCESTIS。）
ADMETUS（chanting）
Alas！
Hatefulapproach，hatefulsightofmywidowedhouse！Ohme！Ohme！
Alas！WhithershallIgo？Whererest？WhatcanIsay？Whatrefrainfromsaying？WhycanInotdie？Indeedmymotherboremeforahaplessfate。Ienvythedead，Ilongtobewiththem，theirsarethedwellingswhereIwouldbe。WithoutpleasureIlookuponthelightofdayandsetmyfeetupontheearth—sopreciousahostagehasDeathtakenfrommetodeliveruntoHades！
CHORUS（chantingresponsivelywithADMETUS）
Goforward，Enteryourhouse。
ADMETUS
Alas！
CHORUS
Yourgriefdeservesourtears。
ADMETUS
OGods！
CHORUS
Iknowyouhaveenteredintosorrow。
ADMETUS
Woe！Woe！
CHORUS
Yetyoubringnoaidtothedead。
ADMETUS
Ohme！Ohme！
CHORUS
HeavyshallitbeforyouNevertolookagainOnthefaceofthewomanyoulove。
ADMETUS
Youbringtomymindthegriefthatbreaksmyheart。Whatsorrowisworseforamanthanthelossofsuchawoman？IwouldIhadnevermarried，neversharedmyhousewithher。Ienvythewifelessandthechildless。Theylivebutonelife—whatissufferingtothem？Butthesicknessofchildren，bridal—bedsravishedbyDeath—dreadful！whenwemightbewifelessandchildlesstotheend。
CHORUS
Chance，dreadfulChance，hasstrickenyou。
ADMETUS
Alas！
CHORUS
Butyousetnolimittoyourgrief。
ADMETUS
Ah！Gods！
CHORUS
Aheavyburdentobear，andyet……
ADMETUS
Woe！Woe！
CHORUS
Courage！Youarenotthefirsttolose……
ADMETUS
Ohme！Ohme！
CHORUS
Awife。
DifferentmenFatecrusheswithdifferentblows。
ADMETUS
Olonggriefandmourningforthosebelovedundertheearth！
Whydidyoustaymefromcastingmyselfintothehollowgravetoliedownforeverindeathbythebestofwomen？Twolives，notone，hadthenbeenseizedbyHades，mostfaithfulonetotheother；andtogetherweshouldhavecrossedthelakeoftheUnderworld。
CHORUS
AsonmostworthyoftearsWaslosttooneofmyhouse，Yet，childless，hesufferedwithcourage，ThoughthewhitewasthickinhishairAndhisdayswerefar—spent！
ADMETUS
Ovisageofmyhouse！HowshallIenteryou？HowshallIdwellinyou，nowthatFatehasturneditsfacefromme？Howgreatisthechange！Once，ofold，Ienteredmyhousewithmarriage—songsandthetorchesofPelion，holdingalovedwomanbythehand，followedbyamerrycrowdshoutinggoodwishestoherwhoisdeadandtome，becausewehadjoinedourlives，beingbothnobleandbornofnoblelines。
Today，inplaceofmarriage—songsarelamentations；insteadofwhitegarmentsIamcladinmourning，toreturntomyhouseandasolitarybed。
CHORUS
GriefhasfallenuponyouInthemidstofahappylifeUntouchedbymisfortune。
Butyourlifeandyourspiritaresafe。
Sheisdead，Shehasleftyourlove。
Isthissonew？
ErenowmanymenDeathhasseveredfromwives。
ADMETUS（speaking）
Ofriends，whatsoevermaybethoughtbyothers，tomeitseemsthatmywife’sfateishappierthanmine。Now，nopainevershalltouchheragain；shehasreachedthenobleendofallhersufferings。ButI，Iwhoshouldhavedied，Ihaveescapedmyfate，onlytodragoutawretchedlife。OnlynowdoIperceiveit。
HowshallIsummonstrengthtoenterthishouse？WhomshallI
greet？Whowillgreetmeinjoyatmycoming？WhithershallIturnmysteps？IshallbedrivenforthbysolitudewhenIseemybedwidowedofmywife，emptythechairsonwhichshesat，adustyfloorbeneathmyroof，mychildrenfallingatmykneesandcallingfortheirmother，andtheservantslamentingforthenobleladylostfromthehouse！
Suchwillbemylifewithinthehouse。Without，Ishallbedrivenfrommarriage—feastsandgatheringsofthewomenofThessaly。I
shallnotenduretolookuponmywife’sfriends。Thosewhohatemewillsay：’Seehowhelivesinshame，themanwhodarednotdie，thecowardwhogavehiswifetoHadesinhisstead！Isthataman？Hehateshisparents，yethehimselfrefusedtodie！’
ThisevilfameIhaveaddedtomyothersorrows。Omyfriends，whatthenavailsitthatIlive，ifImustliveinmiseryandshame？
（Hecovershisheadwithhisrobe，andcrouchesinabjectmiseryonthestepsofhisPalace。）
CHORUS（singing）
strophe1
IhavelivedwiththeMusesAndonloftyheights：
ManydoctrineshaveIlearned；
ButFateisaboveusall。
NothingavailsagainstFateNeithertheThraciantabletsMarkedwithOrphicsymbols，NortheherbsgivenbyPhoebusTothechildrenofAsclepiusTohealmenoftheirsickness。
antistrophe1
Nonecancomeneartoheraltars，Noneworshipherstatues；
Sheregardsnotoursacrifice。
Osacredgoddess，BearnomorehardlyuponmeThanindaysoverpast！
WithagestureZeusjudges，Butthesentenceisyours。
Hardironyieldstoyourstrength；
Yourfiercewillknowsnotgentleness。
strophe2
AndtheGoddesshasboundyouIneluctablyinthegyvesofherhands。
Yield。
Canyourtearsgivelifetothedead？
ForthesonsoftheGodsSwoonintheshadowofDeath。
Dearwassheinourmidst，Dearstillamongthedead，ForthenoblestofwomenwassheWholayinyourbed。
antistrophe2
Ah！
LetthegraveofyourspouseBenomorecountedasatomb，ButreveredastheGods，Andgreetedbyallwhopassby！
Thewanderershallturnfromhispath，Saying：’Shediedforherlord；
Ablessedspiritsheisnow。
Hail，Osacredlady，beourfriend！’
Thusshallmenspeakofher。
（ADMETUSisstillcrouchedonthePalacesteps，whenHERACLESentersfromtheside，leadingaveiledwoman。）
LEADEROFTHECHORUS
Butsee！ThesonofAlcmena，asIthink，comestoyourhouse。
（ADMETUSuncovershishead，andfacesthenewcomer。）
HERACLES
Admetus，amanshouldspeakfreelytohisfriends，andnotkeepreproachessilentinhisheart。SinceIwasnearyouinyourmisfortune，shouldhavewishedtoshowmyselfyourfriend。Butyoudidnottellmethedeadbodywasyourwife’s，andyoutookmeintoyourhouseasifyouwereinmourningonlyforastranger。AndIputagarlandofflowersuponmyhead，andpouredwine—offeringstotheGods，whenyourhousewasfilledwithlamentation。Iblameyou，yes，I
blameyouforthis—butIwillnotupbraidyouinyourmisfortune。
WhyIturnedbackandamhere，Ishalltellyou。TakeandkeepthiswomanformeuntilIhaveslaintheKingoftheBistonesandreturnherewiththehorsesofThrace。Ifillhappenstome—mayI
returnsafely！—Igivehertoyoutoserveinyourhouse。
WithmuchstrivingIwonhertomyhands。OnmywayIfoundpublicgames，worthyofathletes，andIhavebroughtbackthiswomanwhomI
wonastheprizeofvictory。Thewinnersoftheeasytestshadhorses；
headsofcattleweregiventothosewhowoninboxingandwrestling。
Thencameawomanasaprize。SinceIwaspresent，itwouldhavebeenshamefulformetomissthisgloriousgain。Therefore，asIsaid，youmusttakecareofthiswoman，whomIbringtoyou，notasonestolenbutastheprizeofmyefforts。PerhapsintimeyouwillapproveofwhatIdo。
ADMETUS
Notfromdisdain，nortotreatyouasafoe，didIconcealmywife’sfatefromyou。Butifyouhadturnedasidetoanotherman’shearth，onemoregriefhadbeenaddedtomysorrow。ItwasenoughthatIshouldweepmywoe。
Thiswoman—OKing，Ibegitmaybethus—enjoinsomeotherThessalian，onewhoisnotinsorrow，toguardher。InPheraetherearemanytowelcomeyou。Donotremindmeofmygrief。Seeingherinmyhouse，Icouldnotrestrainmytears。Addnotafurtheranguishtomypain，forwhatIsufferistoogreat。Andthen—wherecouldI
harbourayoungwomaninmyhouse？Forsheisyoung—Iseebyherclothesandjewels。Couldshelivewiththemenundermyroof？How，then，couldsheremainchaste，ifshemovedtoandfroamongtheyoungmen？Heracles，itisnoteasytorestraintheyoung……Iamthinkingofyourinterests……MustItakehertomydeadwife’sroom？HowcouldIendurehertoenterthatbed？Ifearadoublereproach—frommypeople，whowouldaccusemeofbetrayingmysaviourtoslipintoanotherwoman’sbed，andfrommydeadwife，whodeservesmyrespect，forwhichImusttakecare。
Owoman，whosoeveryoumaybe，youhavetheformofAlcestis，andyourbodyislikehers。
Ah！ByalltheGods，takeherfrommysight！Donotinsultabrokenman。WhenIlookuponher—sheseemsmywife—myheartistornasunder—tearsflowfrommyeyes。MiserablecreaturethatIam，nowtastethebitternessofmysorrow。
LEADER
Idonotpraisethismeeting；but，whateverhappens，wemustacceptthegiftsoftheGods。
HERACLES
Oh，thatImightbringyourwifebackintothelightofdayfromthedwellingoftheUnder—Gods，asagiftofgracetoyou！
ADMETUS
Iknowyouwouldwishthis—buttowhatend？Thedeadcannotreturntothelightofday。
HERACLES
Donotexaggerate，butbearthiswithdecorum。
ADMETUS
Easiertoadvisethanbearthetest。
HERACLES
Howwillitaidyoutolamentforever？
ADMETUS
Iknow—butmylovewhirlsmeaway。
HERACLES
Loveforthedeadleadsustotears。
ADMETUS
Iamoverwhelmedbeyondwords。
HERACLES
Youhavelostagoodwife—whodeniesit？
ADMETUS
Sothatformethereisnomorepleasureinlife。
HERACLES
Timewillhealthisopenwound。
ADMETUS
YoumightsayTime，ifTimeweredeath！
HERACLES
Anotherwoman，anewmarriage，shallconsoleyou。
ADMETUS
Oh，hush！Whathaveyousaid？Athingunbelievable！
HERACLES
What！Youwillnotmarry？Yourbedwillremainwidowed？
ADMETUS
Nootherwomanshalleverlieatmyside。
HERACLES
Doyouthinkthatavailsthedead？
ADMETUS
Wherevershemaybe，Imustdoherhonour。
HERACLES
Ipraiseyou—butmenwillcallyoumad。
ADMETUS
YetnevermoreshallIbecalledabridegroom。
HERACLES
Ipraiseyourfaithfullovetoyourwife—
ADMETUS
MayIdieifIbetrayherevenwhendead！
HERACLES（offeringhimtheveiledwoman’shand。）
Receiveherthenintoyournoblehouse。
ADMETUS
No，byZeuswhobegotyou，no！
HERACLES
Yetyouwilldowrongifyoudonottakeher。
ADMETUS
IfIdoit，remorsewilltearmyheart。
HERACLES
Yield—perhapsitwillbeagoodthingforyou。
ADMETUS
Ah！Ifonlyyouhadnotwonherinthecontest！
HERACLES
ButIconquered—andyouconqueredwithme。
ADMETUS
Itistrue—butletthewomangohence。
HERACLES
Sheshallgo，ifshemust。Butfirst—oughtshetogo？
ADMETUS
Shemust—unlessitwouldangeryou。
HERACLES
Thereisgoodreasonformyzeal。
ADMETUS
Youhaveconqueredthen—butnotformypleasure。
HERACLES
Onedayyouwillpraisemeforit—bepersuaded。
ADMETUS（tohisattendants）
Leadherin，sinceshemustbereceivedinthishouse。
HERACLES
No，Icannotleavesuchawomantoservants。
ADMETUS
Thenleadherinyourself，ifyouwish。
HERACLES
Imustleaveherinyourhands。
ADMETUS
Imustnottouchher—lethergointothehouse。
HERACLES
Itrustonlyinyourrighthand。
ADMETUS
OKing，youforcemetothisagainstmywill。
HERACLES
Putforthyourhandandtakethiswoman。
ADMETUS（turningasidehishead）
Itisheldout。
HERACLES
AsifyouwerecuttingoffaGorgon’shead！Doyouholdher？
ADMETUS
Yes。
HERACLES
Thenkeepher。YoushallnotdenythatthesonofZeusisagratefulguest。（TakesofftheveilandshowsALCESTIS。）Lookather，andseeifsheisnotlikeyourwife。Andmayjoyputanendtoallyoursorrow！
ADMETUS（dropsherhandandstartsback）
OGods！WhatamItosay？Unhoped—forwonder！DoIreallylookuponmywife？OrIamsnaredinthemockeryofaGod？
HERACLES
Noyoulookuponyourwifeindeed。
ADMETUS
Beware！MayitnotbesomephantomfromtheUnderworld？
HERACLES
Donotthinkyourguestasorcerer。
ADMETUS
ButdoIindeedlookuponthewifeIburied？
HERACLES
Yes—butIdonotwonderatyourmistrust。
ADMETUS
CanItouch，speaktoher，asmylivingwife？
HERACLES
Speaktoher—youhaveallyoudesired。
ADMETUS（takingALCESTISinhisarms）
Ofaceandbodyofthedearestofwomen！Ihaveyouoncemore，whenIthoughtIshouldneverseeyouagain！
HERACLES
Youhaveher—maytheenvyoftheGodsbeavertedfromyou！
ADMETUS
OnoblesonofgreatestZeus，fortunebeyours，andmayyourFatherguardyou！ButhowdidyoubringherbackfromtheUnderworldtothelightofday？
HERACLES
Byfightingwiththespiritwhowashermaster。
ADMETUS
ThendidyoucontendwithDeath？
HERACLES
Ihidbythetombandleapeduponhim。
ADMETUS
Butwhyisshespeechless？
HERACLES
YoumaynothearhervoiceuntilsheispurifiedfromherconsecrationtotheLowerGods，anduntilthethirddawnhasrisen。
Leadherin。
Andyou，Admetus，showaseveragoodman’swelcometoyourguests。
Farewell！IgotofulfilthetasksetmebytheKing，thesonofSthenelus。
ADMETUS
Staywithus，andshareourhearth。
HERACLES
Thatmaybehereafter，butnowImustbegoneinhaste。
（HERACLESdeparts。）
ADMETUS（gazingafterhim）
Goodfortunetoyou，andcomebackhere！（TotheCHORUS）InallthecityandinthefourquartersofThessalylettherebechorusestorejoiceatthisgoodfortune，andletthealtarssmokewiththefleshofoxeninsacrifice！To—daywehavechangedthepastforabetterlife。Iamhappy。
（HeleadsALCESTISintothePalace。）
CHORUS（singing）
Spiritshavemanyshapes，ManystrangethingsareperformedbytheGods。
Theexpecteddoesnotalwayshappen，AndGodmakesawayfortheunexpected。
Soendsthisaction。