Admetus.
He seeth thee and me, two stricken ones,
Which wrought the Gods no wrong, that thou shouldst die.
Alcestis.
O Land, O stately height
Of mine halls, and my bridal couch in Iolkos my fatherland lying!
Admetus.
Uplift thee, hapless love, forsake me not, 250
And pray the mighty Gods in ruth to turn.
Alcestis.
I see the Boat with the oars twin-sweeping,
And, his hand on the pole as in haste aye keeping,
Charon the Ferryman calleth, "What ho, wilt thou linger and linger?
Hasten,—'tis thou dost delay me!" he crieth with beckoning finger.
Admetus.
Ah me! a bitter ferrying this thou namest!
O evil-starred, what woes endure we now!
Alcestis.
One haleth me—haleth me hence to the mansion
Of the dead!—dost thou mark not the darkling expansion
Of the pinions of Hades, the blaze of his eyes 'neath their caverns out-glaring? 260
