O master and king, and Zeus of our world, and you, daughter of Demeter, scorn not a lover’s prayer.

What do you ask of us? Who are you?

I am Protesilaus, son of Iphiclus, from Phylace, one who served with the Achaean army, and first man to die at Troy. I beg to be released and restored to life for a little.

That’s a love that’s common to all the dead, but will come to pass for none of them.

My love, Aidoneus, is not for life, but for my wife, whom, while still but newly wed, I left in her bower and sailed away; and then, by evil fortune, I was slain by Hector, while I was landing; and so my love for my wife is eating my heart out, my lord; could I be restored to her sight even for a short while, I would gladly return here again.