slay me not already slain. For in her I seem once more to see my wife; and my heart is darkly troubled, and the fountains of my eyes are loosed. Ah, woe is me! Now do I taste the bitterness of this my grief. Chorus Indeed I cannot call thy fortune blest, yet heaven’s gift must thou endure, whoe’er the god that comes to bring it. Heracles Would I had the power to bring thy wife up to the light from the halls of death, and confer this kindness on thee! Admetus Right well I know thou wouldst. But what of that? The dead can never come to life again. Heracles Do not exceed the mark, but bear thy grief with moderation. Admetus ’Tis easier to advise than to suffer and endure. Heracles Yet what thy gain, if thou for aye wilt mourn? Admetus I too know that myself, but some strange yearning leads me on. Heracles Love for the dead compels a tear. Admetus Her death was mine, more than any words of mine can tell. Heracles Thou hast lost a noble wife; who shall gainsay it? Admetus Life henceforth hath lost all charm for me. Heracles Time will soothe the smart; as yet thy grief is young. Admetus Time! use that word, if death and time are one. Heracles A new wife and a longing for a fresh marriage will stay thy sorrow. Admetus Peace! What words are thine? I ne’er of thee had thought it. Heracles What! wilt never wed, but preserve thy widowed state? Admetus There is no woman living that shall share my couch. Heracles Dost think that this will help the dead at all? Admetus My reverence she deserves, where’er she is. Heracles I praise thee, yes; but still thou bringest on thyself the charge of folly. Admetus So that thou never call’st me bridegroom, praise me if thou wilt. Heracles I praise thee for thy loyalty to thy wife. Admetus Come death! if ever I betray her, dead though she be. Heracles Well, take this maiden to the shelter of thy noble house.