第1章

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。