Eksodos
Chorus
But see, Admetus! yonder, I believe, comes Alcmena’s son toward thy hearth.
Heracles
Admetus, to a friend we should speak freely, not hold our peace and harbour in our hearts complaints.
I came to thee in thy hour of sorrow and claimed the right to prove myself thy friend, but thou wouldst not tell me that she, thy wife, lay stretched in death; but didst make me a welcome guest in thy halls, as though thy whole concern was centred on a stranger’s loss.
1010
So I crowned my head and poured drink-offerings to the gods in that thy house of sorrow. Wherefore I do blame thee for this treatment of me, yet would not grieve thee in thy trouble. So now the reason I have turned my steps and come hither again, I will tell.
1015
This lady take and keep for me until I come bringing hither the steeds of Thrace, after I have slain the lord of the Bistones. But should I fare as fare I fain would not, I give her to thee to serve within thy halls.
1020
With no small toil she came into my hands. ’Twas thus: I found folk just appointing an open contest for athletes, well worth a struggle, and there I won her as a prize and brought her thence; now those who were successful in the lighter contests had
1025
horses for their prize, but those who conquered in severer feats, in boxing and wrestling, won herds of oxen, and this woman was to be added thereto; with such a chance ’twere shame indeed to pass so fair a guerdon by.
1030
So thou must take her in thy charge, as I said; for not by theft but honest toil I won the prize I bring; and maybe e’en thou in time wilt thank me.
1035
Admetus
’Twas not because of any slight or unkind thought of thee that I concealed my wife’s sad fate; but this were adding grief to grief
if thou hadst gone from hence to the halls of some other friend; and it sufficed that I should mourn my sorrow. But I do beseech thee, prince, if ’tis possible, bid some other Thessalian, one who hath not suffered as I have, keep the maiden for thee,—and thou hast many
1040
friends in Pherae; remind me not of my misfortune. For I could not see her in my house and stay my tears. Oh! add not new affliction to my stricken heart, for sure by sorrow am I bowed enough. And where within my halls could a tender maiden live?
1045
for such she is, as her dress and vesture show. Is she to dwell where men consort? Then how shall she retain her maiden purity, if ’mid our youths she come and go? O Heracles, it is no easy task to check a young man’s fancy, and I am anxious for thy sake.
1050
Or am I to take her to my dead wife’s bower and care for her? How can I bring her there to fill the other’s bed? Twofold reproach I fear; first, some fellow-townsman may taunt me with betraying my benefactress in eagerness to wed a new young bride;
1055
next, there is my dead wife, whom I should much regard, for she doth merit all my reverence. Thou too, lady, whosoe’er thou art, believe me, art the very counterfeit presentment of Alcestis, the picture of her form, ah me! O take this maiden, I conjure thee, from my sight;
1060
slay me not already slain. For in her I seem once more to see my wife; and my heart is darkly troubled, and the fountains of my eyes are loosed. Ah, woe is me! Now do I taste the bitterness of this my grief.
1065
Chorus
Indeed I cannot call thy fortune blest, yet heaven’s gift must thou endure, whoe’er the god that comes to bring it.
1070
Heracles
Would I had the power to bring thy wife up to the light from the halls of death, and confer this kindness on thee!
Admetus
Right well I know thou wouldst. But what of that? The dead can never come to life again.
1075
Heracles
Do not exceed the mark, but bear thy grief with moderation.
Admetus
’Tis easier to advise than to suffer and endure.
Heracles
Yet what thy gain, if thou for aye wilt mourn?
Admetus
I too know that myself, but some strange yearning leads me on.
1080
Heracles
Love for the dead compels a tear.
Admetus
Her death was mine, more than any words of mine can tell.
Heracles
Thou hast lost a noble wife; who shall gainsay it?
Admetus
Life henceforth hath lost all charm for me.
Heracles
Time will soothe the smart; as yet thy grief is young.
1085
Admetus
Time! use that word, if death and time are one.
Heracles
A new wife and a longing for a fresh marriage will stay thy sorrow.
Admetus
Peace! What words are thine? I ne’er of thee had thought it.
