Admetus.
O face, O form of my beloved wife,
Past hope I have thee, who ne'er thought to see thee!
Herakles.
Thou hast: may no God of thy bliss be jealous. 1135
Admetus.
O scion nobly-born of Zeus most high,
Blessings on thee! The Father who begat thee
Keep thee! Thou only hast restored my fortunes.
How didst thou bring her from the shades to light?
Herakles.
I closed in conflict with the Lord of Spirits. 1140
Admetus.
Where, say'st thou, didst thou fight this fight with Death?
Herakles.
From ambush by the tomb mine, hands ensnared him.
Admetus.
Now wherefore speechless standeth thus my wife?
Herakles.
'Tis not vouchsafed thee yet to hear her voice,
Ere to the Powers beneath the earth she be 1145
Unconsecrated, and the third day come.
But lead her in, and, just man as thou art,
Henceforth, Admetus, reverence still the guest.
Farewell. But I must go, and work the work
Set by the king, the son of Sthenelus. 1150
