Admetus and Alcestis lived together happily for a long time, and all the
people in their little kingdom loved and blessed them. But at last
Admetus fell sick, and, as he grew worse and worse every day, all hope
that he would ever get well was lost. Then those who loved him
remembered the wedding gift which Apollo had given him, and they began
to ask who would be willing to die in his stead.
His father and mother were very old and could hope to live but a short
time at best, and so it was thought that one of them would be glad to
give up life for the sake of their son. But when some one asked them
about it, they shook their heads and said that though life was short
they would cling to it as long as they could.
Then his brothers and sisters were asked if they would die for Admetus,
but they loved themselves better than their brother, and turned away and
left him. There were men in the town whom he had befriended and who owed
their lives to him; they would have done everything else for him, but
this thing they would not do.
Now while all were shaking their heads and saying "Not I," the beautiful
Alcestis went into her own room and called to Apollo and asked that she
might give up her life to save her husband. Then without a thought of
fear she lay down upon her bed and closed her eyes; and a little while
afterward, when her maidens came into the room they found her dead.
At the very same time Admetus felt his sickness leave him, and he sprang
up as well and strong as he had ever been. Wondering how it was that he
had been so quickly cured, he made haste to find Alcestis and tell her
the good news. But when he went into her room, he saw her lying lifeless
on her couch, and he knew at once that she had died for him. His grief
was so great that he could not speak, and he wished that death had taken
him and spared the one whom he loved.
In all the land every eye was wet with weeping for Alcestis, and the
cries of the mourners were heard in every house. Admetus sat by the
couch where his young queen lay, and held her cold hand in his own. The
day passed, and night came, but he would not leave her. All through the
dark hours he sat there alone. The morning dawned, but he did not want
to see the light.
At last the sun began to rise in the east, and then Admetus was
surprised to feel the hand which he held growing warm. He saw a red
tinge coming into the pale cheeks of Alcestis.
A moment later the fair lady opened her eyes and sat up, alive and well
and glad.
How was it that Alcestis had been given back to life?
When she died and left her body, the Shadow Leader, who knows no pity,
led her, as he led all others, to the cheerless halls of Proserpine, the
queen of the Lower World.
"Who is this who comes so willingly?" asked the pale-faced queen.
And when she was told how Alcestis, so young and beautiful, had given
her life to save that of her husband, she was moved with pity; and she
bade the Shadow Leader take her back again to the joy and sunlight of
the Upper World.
So it was that Alcestis came to life; and for many years she and Admetus
lived in their little kingdom not far from the sea; and the Mighty Ones
on the mountain top blessed them; and, at last, when they had become
very old, the Shadow Leader led them both away together.
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[Illustration]