And the babes, clinging to their mother's robes,
Were weeping: and she clasped them in her arms, 190
Fondling now this, now that, as one death-doomed.
And all the servants 'neath the roof were weeping,
Pitying their lady. But to each she stretched
Her right hand forth; and none there was so mean
To whom she spake not and received reply. 195
Such are the ills Admetus' home within.
Now, had he died, he had ended: but, in 'scaping,
He bears a pain that he shall ne'er forget.
Chorus.
Doth not Admetus groan for this affliction
Of such a noble wife to be bereft? 200
Handmaid.
Ay, weeps, and clasps his dear one in his arms,
And prays, "Forsake me not!"—asking the while
The impossible, for still she wanes and wastes,
Drooping her hand, a misery-burdened weight.
But yet, albeit hardly breathing now, 205
To the sun's rays fain would she lift her eyes,
As nevermore, but for the last time then
Destined to see the sun's beam and his orb.
But I will go and make thy presence known:
For 'tis not all that love so well their kings 210
As to stand by them, in afflictions loyal.
But from of old my lords were loved of thee. [Exit.
[Nine members of the Chorus chant successively:—
Chorus 1.
O Zeus, for our lords is there nought but despair?
No path through the tangle of evils, no loosing of chains that have bound them?
