Then came a woman as a prize. Since I was present, it would have been shameful for me to miss this glorious gain. Therefore, as I said, you must take care of this woman, whom I bring to you, not as one stolen but as the prize of my efforts. Perhaps in time you will approve of what I do.
ADMETUS
Not from disdain, nor to treat you as a foe, did I conceal my wife's fate from you. But if you had turned aside to another man's hearth, one more grief had been added to my sorrow. It was enough that I should weep my woe.
This woman-O King, I beg it may be thus-enjoin some other Thessalian, one who is not in sorrow, to guard her. In Pherae there are many to welcome you. Do not remind me of my grief. Seeing her in my house, I could not restrain my tears. Add not a further anguish to my pain, for what I suffer is too great. And then-where could Iharbour a young woman in my house? For she is young-I see by her clothes and jewels. Could she live with the men under my roof? How, then, could she remain chaste, if she moved to and fro among the young men? Heracles, it is not easy to restrain the young....I am thinking of your interests....Must I take her to my dead wife's room? How could I endure her to enter that bed? I fear a double reproach-from my people, who would accuse me of betraying my saviour to slip into another woman's bed, and from my dead wife, who deserves my respect, for which I must take care.
O woman, whosoever you may be, you have the form of Alcestis, and your body is like hers.
Ah! By all the Gods, take her from my sight! Do not insult a broken man. When I look upon her-she seems my wife-my heart is torn asunder-tears flow from my eyes. Miserable creature that I am, now taste the bitterness of my sorrow.
LEADER
I do not praise this meeting; but, whatever happens, we must accept the gifts of the Gods.
HERACLES
Oh, that I might bring your wife back into the light of day from the dwelling of the Under-Gods, as a gift of grace to you!
ADMETUS
I know you would wish this-but to what end? The dead cannot return to the light of day.
HERACLES
Do not exaggerate, but bear this with decorum.
ADMETUS
Easier to advise than bear the test.
HERACLES
How will it aid you to lament for ever?
ADMETUS
I know-but my love whirls me away.
HERACLES
Love for the dead leads us to tears.
ADMETUS
I am overwhelmed beyond words.
HERACLES
You have lost a good wife-who denies it?
ADMETUS
So that for me there is no more pleasure in life.
HERACLES
Time will heal this open wound.
ADMETUS
You might say Time, if Time were death!
HERACLES
Another woman, a new marriage, shall console you.
ADMETUS
Oh, hush! What have you said? A thing unbelievable!
HERACLES
What! You will not marry? Your bed will remain widowed?
ADMETUS
No other woman shall ever lie at my side.
HERACLES
Do you think that avails the dead?
ADMETUS
Wherever she may be, I must do her honour.
HERACLES
I praise you-but men will call you mad.
ADMETUS
Yet never more shall I be called a bridegroom.
HERACLES
I praise your faithful love to your wife-ADMETUS
May I die if I betray her even when dead!
HERACLES (offering him the veiled woman's hand.)Receive her then into your noble house.
ADMETUS
No, by Zeus who begot you, no!
HERACLES
Yet you will do wrong if you do not take her.
ADMETUS
If I do it, remorse will tear my heart.
