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。