_Of the Story as it would be traditionally familiar to the Audience
before-hand.--Admetus was the splendid King of Pherae, so famous for
the sacred rites of Hospitality that he had Sons of the Gods for
Guests, and the God of Brightness, Apollo, himself while he sojourned
on earth chose Admetus's household to dwell in. In the full tide of
his greatness the time came for him to die: Apollo interposed for his
chief votary, and won from the Fates that he might die by substitute.
But none was found willing to be the victim, not even his aged parents:
at last Alcestis his wife, young and bright as himself, gave herself
for her husband and died. Then another Guest-Friend of Admetus came to
the rescue, Jupiter's own son Hercules, and by main force wrested
Alcestis from the grasp of Death, and restored her to her husband._