第2章

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。