Must we wrap ourselves In black mourning folds?
FIRST SEMI-CHORUS
It is certain, O friends, it is certain?
But still let us cry to the Gods;
Very great is the power of the Gods.
CHORUS
O King, O Healer, Seek out appeasement To Admetus's agony!
Grant this, Oh, grant it!
Once before did you find it;
Now once more Be the Releaser from death.
The Restrainer of blood-drenched Hades!
SECOND SEMI-CHORUS
Alas!
O son of Pheres.
What ills shall you suffer Being robbed of your spouse!
FIRST SEMI-CHORUS
At sight of such woes Shall we cut our throats?
Shall we slip A dangling noose round our necks?
CHORUS
See! See!
She comes From the house with her lord!
Cry out, Oh, lament.
O land of Pherae, For the best of women Fades away in her doom Under the earth, To dark Hades!
(From the central door of the Palace comes a splendid but tragical procession. Preceded by the royal guards, ADMETUS enters, supporting ALCESTIS. The two children, a boy and a girl, cling to their mother's dress. There is a train of attendants and waiting women, who bring a low throne for the fainting ALCESTIS.)LEADER OF THE CHORUS (chanting)
Never shall I say that we ought to rejoice in marriage, but rather weep; this have I seen from of old and now I look upon the fate of the King, who loses the best of wives, and henceforth until the end his life shall be intolerable.
ALCESTIS (chanting)
Sun, and you, light of day, Vast whirlings of swift cloud!
ADMETUS
The sun looks upon you and me, both of us miserable, who have wrought nothing against the Gods to deserve death.
ALCESTIS (chanting)
O Earth, O roof-tree of my home, Bridal-bed of my country, Iolcus!
ADMETUS
Rouse up, O unhappy one, and, do not leave me! Call upon the mighty Gods to pity!
ALCESTIS (starting up and gazing wildly in terror, chanting)I see the two-oared boat, I see the boat on the lake!
And Charon, Ferryman of the Dead, Calls to me, his hand on the oar:
'Why linger? Hasten! You delay me!'
Angrily he urges me.