How again when trouble came to Admetus he had saved him from the day of
death, on condition that another would die in his stead.
His friends, his father, e'en the aged dame {19}
That gave him birth were asked in vain: not one
Was found, his wife except.
The dreadful day has come, and Alcestis is at this moment breathing her
last in the arms of her husband: and he himself must leave his loved
friend, for Deity may not abide in the neighborhood of death's
pollution. {27}
_Suddenly, the hideous Phantom of Death becomes visible, ascending the
Steps of the Dead [from below the Orchestra on to the Stage]: his pace
never flags, yet he cowers, like all things of darkness, before the Bow
of Apollo._
_Death_ reproaches Apollo with haunting the dwellings of mortals, and
with seeking by that Bow of his to defraud the Infernal Powers of their
due. _Apollo_ defends himself: he is but visiting friends he loves: he
has no thought of using force. But would he could persuade Death to
choose his victims according to the law of nature, and slay ripe
lingering age instead of youth!
_Death._ Greater my glory when the youthful die! {58}
_Apollo_ appeals to self-interest: more sumptuous obsequies await the
aged dead.--That, answers _Death_, were to make laws in favor of the
rich.--_Apollo_ condescends to ask mercy for his friend as a favor; but
favors, _Death_ sneers, are not in keeping with his manners; and taunts
Apollo with his helplessness to resist fate. The taunt rouses Apollo
to a flash of prophecy (which is one of his attributes), giving (as the
Greek stage loved to do) a glimpse into the end of the story.
_Apollo._ Yet, ruthless as thou art, soon wilt thou cease {67}
This contest; such a man to Pherae's house
Comes. . . . . He, in this house
A welcome guest to Admetus, will by force
Take his wife from thee; and no thanks from me
Will be thy due; yet what I now entreat
Then thou wilt yield, and I shall hate thee still.
Apollo moves away and disappears in the distance [_by Left Side-door_],
while Death, hurling defiance after him, waves his fatal sword and
crosses the threshold. {81}