Chorus 8.
For his dear one—nay, but his dearest of all
Shall he see on this day lying dead, while her spirit by Lêthê shivereth.
Chorus 9.
O look!—look yonder, where forth of the hall
She cometh, and he at her side whose life by her life she delivereth.
Chorus, united.
Cry, Land Pheraian, shrill the keen!
Lift up thy voice to wail thy best
There dying, and thy queenliest
Slow wasting to the Gates Unseen!
Tell me not this, that wedlock brings
To them that wed more bliss than woe.
I look back to the long-ago; 240
I muse on these unhappiest things.
Lo, here a king—he forfeiteth
The truest heart, the noblest wife:
And what shall be henceforth his life?
A darkened day, a living death.
Enter Female Attendants bearing Alcestis, accompanied by Admetus and Children.
Alcestis.
O Sun, and the day's dear light,
And ye clouds through the wheeling heaven in the race everlasting flying!
