me. For sweet it is to see our friends, come they when they will, e'en by night.
Had I the tongue, the tuneful voice of Orpheus to charm Demeter's daughter or her husband by my lay and bring thee back from Hades, I had gone down, nor Pluto's hound, nor Charon, ferryman of souls, whose hand is on the oar, had held me back, till to the light I had restored thee alive. At least do thou await me there, against the hour I die, prepare a home for me to be my true wife still. For in this same cedar coffin I will bid these children lay me with thee and stretch my limbs by thine; for never even in death may I be severed from thee, alone found faithful of them all.
Cho. Lo! I too will share with thee thy mourning for her, friend with friend; for this is but her due.
Alc. My children, ye with your own ears have heard your father's promise, that he will never wed another wife to set her over you, nor e'er dishonour me.
Adm. Yea, so I promise now, and accomplish it I will.
Alc. On these conditions receive the children from my hand.
Adm. I receive them, dear pledges by a dear hand given.
Alc. Take thou my place and be a mother to these babes.
Adm. Sore will be their need when they are reft of thee.
Alc. O my children, I am passing to that world below, when my life was needed most.
Adm. Ah me, what can I do bereft of thee?
Alc. Thy sorrow Time will soothe; 'tis the dead who are as naught.
Adm. Take me, O take me, I beseech, with thee 'neath the earth.
Alc. Enough that I in thy stead am dying.
Adm. O Destiny! of what a wife art thou despoiling me!
Alc. Lo! the darkness deepens on my drooping eyes.
