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。