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+*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 75270 ***
+
+
+
+                        The Return of Alcestis:
+                         A Play in One Act: by
+                           Laurence Housman
+
+
+
+
+                        Samuel French: Publisher
+               28-30 West Thirty-eighth Street: New York
+                               LONDON
+                          Samuel French, Ltd.
+                   26 SOUTHAMPTON STREET STRAND
+
+
+
+
+                Copyright, 1916, by LAURENCE HOUSMAN
+
+
+
+
+  CAUTION.--Amateurs and Professionals are hereby warned that THE
+    RETURN OF ALCESTIS, being fully protected under the copyright laws
+    of the United States, is subject to royalty, and any one presenting
+    the play without the consent of the author or his authorized agent,
+    will be liable to the penalties by law provided. Application for
+    the right to produce THE RETURN OF ALCESTIS must be made to SAMUEL
+    FRENCH, 28-30 West 38th Street, New York City.
+
+                       ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
+
+
+
+
+                      THE RETURN OF ALCESTIS.
+
+
+
+
+                         DRAMATIS PERSONAE.
+
+  ALCESTIS
+  HER NURSE
+  HER DAUGHTER
+  HER ATTENDANTS
+  CHORUS OF WOMEN
+  ADMETUS
+  PHERES (_his father_)
+  EUMELOS (_his son_)
+  HIS ATTENDANT
+  CHORUS OF MEN
+  HYMEN
+
+
+
+
+                      THE RETURN OF ALCESTIS
+
+
+  SCENE:--_A chamber in the house of_ ADMETUS, _King of Pheræ. Across
+      the center, backed by pillars, stretches a high screen, with
+      curtained entrances at back to right and left. Before it stands
+      the bridal couch, in front of which is a chair facing the
+      audience. Down-stage at center, on a lower level, is the domestic
+      altar. By the altar stands_ HYMEN _bearing a torch_.
+
+
+    HYMEN.--
+  House of Admetus, whom the Gods befriend,
+  Peace be within your gates, and joy attend
+  On this day’s bridal! For now Pheres’ son,
+  Helped by the hand of Heracles, hath won
+  Back from the tomb his wife, who blameless died
+  That he might live; and, to reclaim his bride,
+  Comes now where, lo, the nuptial feast is spread.
+  So shall fruit crown once more the marriage-bed,
+  And to his loins give sons, and thence make strong
+  The breed of his great race; for whom, when song
+  Was hushed in Heaven, Phoebus, the sun-bright God,
+  Did shepherd-service, and inglorious trod
+  These walls within. To him the God then gave
+  This promise, that he should not see the grave,
+  If, of free-will, one, offering in his stead,
+  Rendered the debt. So passed she to the dead:
+  But comes again upraised. Therefore, ’tis meet
+  That they which mourned should dance, and mouths make sweet
+  Music about this chamber, decked and dight
+  For fruitful wedlock: whereto I bring light,
+  And warmth, and blessing. So may surer bliss,
+  And through long years, attend the marriage kiss,
+  Which here now is to be.
+
+               (_Exit_ HYMEN. _Enter_ CHORUS OF WOMEN.)
+
+    1ST SEMI-CHORUS.--
+  As the springs, and the rains, and the rivers
+  Of hills, that replenish the earth,
+  Sink and are lost, yet rise and return
+  To the land of their birth;
+    And freshen with streams and showers
+    All herbs and flowers
+  Which yearn:
+
+    2ND SEMI-CHORUS.--
+  So thou, O fairest of givers,
+    Life-bringer, light-bearer to men,
+  With hands most tender to save,
+    And face by the terrors of death
+  Unappalled, and by love made brave,
+
+    1ST SEMI-CHORUS.--
+  And with lips for the spending of breath
+    More quick than the lips of a runner
+    Whose feet are set to the goal:
+
+              (_Enter_ NURSE _bearing wedding raiment_.)
+
+    CHORUS.--
+  So thou, our dearest and best,
+    Art risen again from the grave;
+  And the land at thy coming is blest.
+
+    2ND SEMI-CHORUS.--
+  And for thee, befriended of fate,
+    My grief and sorrow were vain;
+  So with joy in my heart I wait,
+    Till eyes behold thee again.
+
+    CHORUS LEADER.--
+  Nurse of our mistress, wherefore dost thou stand
+  Silent before us, holding in thy hand
+  The wedding raiment? Dost thou not hail the day?
+
+                (_The_ NURSE _lets fall the raiment_.)
+
+  Oh! What means this?
+
+    NURSE.--
+  That having naught to say
+  Of good, I would be mute!
+
+    LEADER.--
+  From what black bough of evil falls that fruit
+  Of speech so darkly uttered?
+
+    NURSE.--
+  Peace, let be!
+  The Gods drive home their gift. Soon shall ye see
+  Our mistress come forth to your midst again.
+
+    LEADER.--
+  Redeemed from death?
+
+    NURSE.--
+  Yea, for she lies not slain.
+
+    LEADER.--
+  Thy words sound strange!--But living, thou hast said?
+
+    NURSE.--
+  Aye, surely living, since she is not dead.
+
+    LEADER.--
+  Speak, mother: hast thou aught to tell of woe?
+
+    NURSE.--
+  Ye women, I speak only as I know.
+  She that was dead now lives: gracious of form,
+  Gentle of face is she; her hands are warm
+  To my hands holding them; she feels no pain;
+  Death on her beauty has not left a stain;
+  But pure, but perfect, as on the day she died,
+  So have I found her,--lovely as when a bride
+  First came she to this chamber of our lord.
+
+    LEADER.--
+  All that thou sayest is good!
+
+    NURSE.--
+  I speak no word,
+  Women, but as I know. Ah! God, these eyes
+  Which knew her as a child!--They that be wise,
+  Dying, let them stay dead!
+
+                          (_Exit_ NURSE.)
+
+    LEADER.--
+  O Women, all ye that have heard,
+  What comfort find ye in this word----
+  ‘Let the dying stay dead’?
+
+    CHORUS.--
+  Earth is old, Time is long,
+    And the days that we live are few.
+  Many arise, and are born,
+  They mount and wax strong,
+  Stand thick together like corn;
+    But to them death cometh anew.
+  They are reaped, and are borne to the grave:
+      Men know them no more.
+
+    2ND SEMI-CHORUS.--
+  Yet a gift from the Gods was breath,
+    Not a curse, O sister, O friend!
+    For the search of my heart hath shown
+  How life is sweet to the taste;
+    And the sorrow that waits in the end
+  For the feet which haste
+    Is death!
+    God gave me a little breath:
+  Shall I not cleave to it now?
+
+  (_Enter_ ALCESTIS _leaning upon the hands of_ WOMEN, _and accompanied
+      by her_ NURSE. _They seat her upon the throne. She remains
+      motionless._)
+
+    1ST SEMI-CHORUS.--
+  And thou, that returnest to earth,
+    For our lord’s delight, and this land’s,
+  Is there no light on thy brow,
+    No warmth in thy hands,
+  No gladness of heart, when thou hearest
+    The voice of our mirth?
+
+    2ND SEMI-CHORUS.--
+  Lo, robes for the bridal thou wearest,
+    Though a shroud was thy robe of late;
+  And home, O Beloved and fairest,
+    Thou comest, redeemed from Fate.
+
+(_A pause._ ALCESTIS _makes no response_.)
+
+    1ST SEMI-CHORUS.--
+  Ye say that the world is old:
+    But spring and the years are young,
+    And summer to earth gives joy.
+      Surely to man, not alone
+  For grief, hath this tale been told,
+    When the song of the bridal is sung
+      In the heart of maiden and boy?
+
+    NURSE.--
+  O women, speak to her! Let living fruit
+  Be on your tongues! These lips to me are mute,
+  And the eyes know me not!
+
+    LEADER.--
+  How hath it come?
+
+    NURSE.--
+  Death’s hold is loosed; but mouth and heart stay dumb.
+  Lo, from the grave she looks, yet sees not life!
+
+    LEADER.--
+  What woe thou tellest! Shall not the name of wife
+  Or mother move her?
+
+    NURSE.--
+  She hath heard them all:
+  And even as wind and water, or the call
+  Of lowing herds, the murmur of them goes by.
+
+    SEMI-CHORUS.--
+  I know a valley in the hills,
+  Where echoes in the rocks and rills
+  Make melody; and there the cry
+  Of flocks is heard; and clamorous lambs
+  Bleat and hearken for their dams.
+  Whom when they hear, from far or nigh,
+  Swiftly along the meads they leap,
+  To where the milky udders swell;
+  And stoop, and thrust, and, nuzzling deep,
+  Under the heavy fleeces creep.
+  Then for them the world is well.
+
+    SEMI-CHORUS.--
+  I know a pool
+  Of waters clear and deep,
+  With wood-boughs overhung
+  And mosses green;
+  There in the cool
+  At noon, when song-birds sleep,
+  Oft have I seen
+  The swan amid her young.
+
+    LEADER.--
+  I know a bed
+  Fair-strewn with linen white,
+  Where in my sight
+  One that I loved lay dead.
+  Her hands and her feet were bound;
+  With myrtle her head we crowned;
+  Fair she lay as a bride,
+  And heeded us not.
+  Her children clung round her and cried;
+  And her lord, bewailing his lot,
+  Bowed down at her side:
+  And we wept, because she had died!
+
+  (ALCESTIS _rises to her feet, and stands with half-lifted arms in an
+      attitude of prayer_.)
+
+    NURSE.--
+  Now thou hast touched her! Lo, the unlighted wick
+  Of life stands there revealed! Go, women, quick!
+  Bring in the children!
+
+  (_Exit one of the attendants. Behind the scene the children’s voices
+      are heard._)
+
+  Hark, ah, hark, they cry!--
+  Lady, thy little ones! Oh, Heaven must die
+  And perish away from earth, if thou stay dumb
+  Looking on these!
+
+  (_Enter the two children; they run to_ ALCESTIS _with outstretched
+      arms_.)
+
+    CHILDREN.--
+  Mother!
+
+    NURSE.--
+  Oh, come, come, come!
+  Yea, children! ’Tis your own, returned again!
+
+    CHILDREN.--
+  Mother! Oh, Mother!
+
+  (ALCESTIS _stands as one hearing a far-off cry, whose sound she
+      remembers_.)
+
+    NURSE.--
+  Alas! Is that cry vain?
+  It shall not be! Leap, child, leap to her breast!
+  Take hold on her with hands, give her no rest,
+  Cry her to pity!
+
+    CHILDREN.--
+  Mother!
+
+    NURSE.--
+  Should this not be
+  A call to rouse the dead? She wakes! Oh, see!
+
+    ALCESTIS.--
+  These were my children.
+
+    NURSE.--
+  By the Gods, ’tis true:
+  They _are_ thy children, lady! What wouldst thou do?
+
+  (ALCESTIS _bends over her daughter with a strange look; she takes
+      the child’s hair in her hands on each side lifting it, and begins
+      plaiting it together_.)
+
+  Oh, look, look, look!
+
+    ALCESTIS.--
+  And thou, also, must die
+  Some day, fair child, and in the grave must lie.
+  Hark, what I tell thee: do not rise again!
+  Quiet is that dwelling, and therein is no pain.
+
+    NURSE.--
+  What hast thou said? Is not this world more bright
+  Than that dim realm where man can see no light,
+  Nor hear no sound, nor feel no touch of hands?
+
+    ALCESTIS.--
+  Surely the light goes forth to many lands,
+  And seeth all things. Yet our lord, the Sun,
+  In heaven stands lonely, and is known of none.
+
+    NURSE.--
+  Yet was not great Apollo both guard and guide,
+  When to this palace thou camest as a bride?
+  And round thy chariot’s yoke such spells he cast
+  That lion and bear thereto stood harnessed fast.
+
+    ALCESTIS.--
+  I mind me of it. It was as thou hast said.
+  Therefore I came; and therefore hence went dead.
+
+  (_The_ NURSE, _turning away with a gesture of despondency, signs to
+      an_ ATTENDANT _to remove the children_.)
+
+    NURSE.--
+  Bear them away! For now I hear the voice
+  Of singers and of minstrels that rejoice
+  Because the bridegroom comes. Therefore be swift,
+  Bring and put on the wedding robe, and lift
+  Again to that fair head the bridal crown!
+  And thou, bright Hera, favourably look down
+  And bless for us this hour!
+
+              (_She kneels at the feet of_ ALCESTIS.)
+
+  Oh, Mistress mine,
+  Surely thou knowest my heart was ever thine,
+  To do thee service for better and not for worse!
+
+    ALCESTIS.--
+  Yea, yea I know it! And yet thou wast my nurse!
+
+  (_Stifling a sharp cry, the_ NURSE _rises and moves away_. ALCESTIS,
+      _robed and crowned, stands alone. The sound of music and singing
+      draws nearer. A look of frozen horror comes over her._)
+
+    NURSE.--
+  Come then! for it is time: give me thy hand!
+  And if the Gods are gracious to this land,
+  Let them work wonders now!
+
+  (_Exit_ NURSE _leading_ ALCESTIS, _followed by the attendant_ WOMEN.)
+
+    CHORUS.--
+  And turning my heart from sadness
+    I shall have done with fear,
+  When the sound of a people’s gladness
+    Grows loud in mine ear.
+
+  (_The_ WOMEN’S _chorus goes out. Enter the_ MEN’S _Chorus_.)
+
+    1ST SEMI-CHORUS.--
+  Happy is he who knoweth
+    The hour when his soul is blest,
+  Who seeth the Gods in power,
+    And their ways made manifest;
+  Ready of foot, he goeth
+    To the goal which giveth him rest.
+
+    2ND SEMI-CHORUS.--
+  So shall the breed of his race
+    Be as shafts in the hand of a giant,
+  Happy is he, and immortal,
+    Whose quiver is filled with their breath:
+  He, unashaméd of face,
+    Stands to the foeman defiant,
+  Comes undismayed to the portal
+    Dark with the shadow of death.
+
+                    (_Enter_ ADMETUS, _attended_.)
+
+    CHORUS.--
+  Therefore with crownéd brows,
+    Thou comest rejoicing, O King;
+  And the Gods have wrought for thy house
+    A marvellous thing.
+
+      (ADMETUS _stands before the altar, and offers incense_.)
+
+    ADMETUS.--
+  First unto thee, Apollo, thanks and praise
+  I render, who hast given me length of days,
+  And life to hold, and joy, that yet on earth
+  Mine eyes see light, which in all hearts makes mirth.
+
+                     (_He offers the incense._)
+
+  And thou, Persephone, and thou, great Head,
+  Holy and high, upraised amid the dead,
+  Lord of the Dark, to whom all flesh must bow
+  When Fate decrees, glad thanks I render now
+  For my release, and hers. To thee this debt
+  Freely I own.
+
+     (_Averting his face from the altar, he offers the incense._)
+
+  And thou great Hera, who of the highest throne
+  Hast share in Heaven, on this once widowed bed
+  Look down with shining eyes, and round it shed
+  Sweet influences, and let the fruitful womb
+  Ripen with sons and daughters.
+
+                     (_He offers the incense._)
+
+  So shall no doom
+  Sap out the strength and standing of my race,
+  Nor my name be forgotten in this place,
+  Where I am King.
+
+                  (ADMETUS _turns from the altar_.)
+
+    ATTENDANT.--
+  My Lord, here comes thy father!
+
+    ADMETUS.--
+  Let him go!
+  I need him not. He lived, to be my foe.
+
+                          (_Enter_ PHERES.)
+
+    PHERES.--
+  My son, because, this day, blessing shines bright
+  On thee and thine, and to this home gives light
+  In place of darkness, therefore am I come
+  To wish thee joy. For when I saw the sum
+  Of thine affliction, straightway I did repent
+  The wrath I had against thee; yea, and sent
+  To tell thee so. Hast thou no word of peace
+  To offer in return?
+
+    ADMETUS.--
+  Yea; henceforth cease
+  To trouble thyself with me, or aught that’s mine!
+
+    PHERES.--
+  Hard words: but harder that proud heart of thine.
+
+    ADMETUS.--
+  Hard was its need, when sharp tongue bit like steel!
+
+    PHERES.--
+  Yet, when the wound is salved, the flesh will heal.
+
+    ADMETUS.--
+  Thou, living, art the wound from which I shrink!
+
+    PHERES.--
+  Hadst thou thyself no stomach, but I must drink
+  This cup for thee?
+
+    ADMETUS.--
+  What use to thee was life,--
+  Being old?
+
+    PHERES.--
+  I loved it, better than thou thy wife!
+  Therefore she died for thee!
+
+    ADMETUS.--
+  Death! is thy sting
+  In this old serpent’s tail, that he must fling
+  His tainted carcase across my path this day?
+
+    PHERES.--
+  Pass! For no longer will I bar thy way
+  To bliss. Go, dull thy conscience with fresh lust;
+  Embrace the body which thou didst cast to dust;
+  Feast on the flesh again, thou carrion fly!
+
+          (ADMETUS _advances threateningly towards him_.)
+
+    ATTENDANT. (_Intervening_)
+  My lord!
+
+    ADMETUS.--
+  Ye Gods! let him make haste to die,
+  For while he lives corruption taints this earth!
+
+    PHERES.--
+  My years are with me; and I know their worth,
+  Better than thou knowest thine.
+
+                      (_Exit_ PHERES.)
+
+    ATTENDANT.--
+  Now is my lord
+  Ready? It is the hour.
+
+    ADMETUS.--
+  Yea, let the word
+  Be given. Call in the women!
+
+              (_The_ MINSTRELS _clash their cymbals_.)
+
+    ATTENDANT.--
+  Yonder they come.
+
+  (_Two_ ATTENDANTS _enter with torches. They draw back the curtains
+      from the doors, and stand to right and left of the bed. Enter
+      the_ NURSE _from doorway to right, carrying a cup. Then from the
+      left comes in the bridal procession. In rigid silence the women
+      walk two and two, dropping sprays of myrtle from folded napkins
+      which they carry between them. The movement is sad and full of
+      solemnity, sacrificial in character. They pass from left to right
+      across the stage, descend and pass out._ ALCESTIS, _veiled, comes
+      last, supported by two women; as she halts at left-center they
+      fall back leaving her alone_.)
+
+    ADMETUS.--
+  Therefore bid all go forth! Close and make dumb
+  These doors.
+
+    LEADER.--
+  And may the eyes of Heaven look down
+  And bless this bridal! Hail to thee, thou crown
+  Of womanhood. Honour is thine this day,
+  And fame for ever!
+
+  (_The_ MEN’S _Chorus lift their hands in salutation to_ ALCESTIS _as
+      they pass out. Exeunt. The_ NURSE _brings the cup to_ ADMETUS;
+      _he takes it and drinks. She brings the cup to_ ALCESTIS. _The
+      two_ ATTENDANTS _lift up and lay back her veil. The_ NURSE
+      _offers the cup; her hands do not take hold; with shut eyes she
+      drinks. The_ NURSE _goes out, followed by the two_ ATTENDANTS,
+      _who draw the curtains after them_.)
+
+    ADMETUS.--
+  Blessing and peace be thine, O form which died,
+  And comest more fair to be my second bride!
+  For now thou shinest upon me like a star!
+
+    ALCESTIS.--
+  I give thee greeting, having journeyed far.
+
+    ADMETUS.--
+  Mine, or was thine the journey, wouldst thou say?
+
+    ALCESTIS.--
+  We have both journeyed; mine was the longer way.
+
+    ADMETUS.--
+  Bitter for thee it was to part from breath!
+
+    ALCESTIS.--
+  Life filled mine eyes; I had not looked on death.
+
+    ADMETUS.--
+  What hast thou now of hidden things to tell?
+
+    ALCESTIS.--
+  Love knows not life till it know death as well.
+
+    ADMETUS.--
+  Where found’st thou--love?
+
+    ALCESTIS.--
+  Not where the dead lie bound,
+  Nor here on earth one lover have I found.
+
+    ADMETUS.--
+  No lover, dost thou tell me? By this head,
+  _I_ am thy lover. I swear it!
+
+    ALCESTIS.--
+  Thou hast said.
+
+    ADMETUS.--
+  Did not I choose thee first of all on earth?
+
+    ALCESTIS.--
+  The doom of God lay on me from my birth.
+
+    ADMETUS.--
+  Sweet was our bridal-chamber filled by thee!
+
+    ALCESTIS.--
+  The night was dark; I had not eyes to see.
+
+    ADMETUS.--
+  Reaching my arms I snatch thee back from fate.
+
+    ALCESTIS.--
+  In one small life the little need seems great.
+
+    ADMETUS.--
+  Hadst thou no longing, then, to live again?
+
+    ALCESTIS.--
+  And not to die: therewith I strove in vain.
+
+    ADMETUS.--
+  But having died, was there no looking back?
+
+    ALCESTIS.--
+  I looked, and lo, the doors of life were black.
+
+    ADMETUS.--
+  Didst thou not love the children of thy womb?
+
+    ALCESTIS.--
+  They still were mine when I was in the tomb.
+
+    ADMETUS.--
+  Home hungered for thee, and the marriage-bed
+  Where thou wast fruitful.
+
+    ALCESTIS.--
+  And where I lay dead,
+  Having borne all!
+
+    ADMETUS.--
+  What means that stricken cry?
+  Found’st thou no bliss?
+
+    ALCESTIS.--
+  Yea, bliss enough to die
+  When thou didst ask it of me, O my lord!
+  Ofttimes he might have slain me with his sword:
+  Yet was I spared to die another death.
+
+    ADMETUS.--
+  Breathe not upon the past such bitter breath!
+  Great was the need, thou knowest, I had of thee!
+
+    ALCESTIS.--
+  A greater need befell: I set thee free.
+
+    ADMETUS.--
+  Was it not love which took thee to the tomb?
+
+    ALCESTIS.--
+  Thrice thou hadst planted life within my womb.
+
+    ADMETUS.--
+  Yea, thou hast given me sons which shall be men.
+
+    ALCESTIS.--
+  And thrice I could have died; but did not then.
+
+    ADMETUS.--
+  What darker word is this that thou dost say?
+
+    ALCESTIS.--
+  Lo, at thy bidding, I have looked on day
+  And darkness, life and death; thy hand holds all.
+
+    ADMETUS.--
+  Therefore, I hold thee still: yea, and will call
+  Joy back to thee again!
+
+    ALCESTIS.--
+  My joy I gave
+  Before I died; nor took it to the grave;
+  Nor brought it thence.
+
+    ADMETUS.--
+  Say, then, where dwells it now?
+
+    ALCESTIS.--
+  In thee, if thou be joyful; but if thou
+  Hast not found joy, then was all given in vain.
+
+    ADMETUS.--
+  Soon from thy body joy shall spring again,
+  Yielding fresh life.
+
+    ALCESTIS.--
+  So Earth must give her yield
+  Unto the hand of him who ploughs the field.
+
+    ADMETUS.--
+  And binds the sheaves!
+
+                    (_He clasps her in his arms._)
+
+  Come, come, oh, quick Desire,
+  Kindle within this heart its wonted fire!
+
+    ALCESTIS.--
+  My flesh is thine: the life therein my own.
+
+    ADMETUS.--
+  To me, thy lover, turn not this heart of stone!
+  Greater my love for thee than e’er before!
+
+    ALCESTIS.--
+  Since it is greater, dost thou ask for more?
+
+    ADMETUS.--
+  Yea, for I thirst! Let the Gods give thee bliss!
+
+    ALCESTIS.--
+  What God in heaven or hell shall grant me this?
+
+    ADMETUS.--
+  Ask of Apollo: he that made thee mine!
+
+    ALCESTIS.--
+  Of that vine-treading thou hast drunk the wine.
+
+    ADMETUS.--
+  Give me to drink again! Come! for I call!
+
+    ALCESTIS.--
+  Again thou askest of me, and I give--all.
+
+                (_Falling back in his arms, she dies._)
+
+    ADMETUS.--
+  Now art thou mine! O bride of every sense!
+
+                     (_He bears her to the bed._)
+
+  Ah, what cold horror’s this? Breath has gone hence!
+  Warmth, touch, sight, hearing! Help! Lo, unto earth
+  Where God sent blessing, a curse hath sprung to birth!
+  Apollo, thy dart hath slain me!
+
+                          (_Enter_ NURSE.)
+
+    NURSE.--
+  What means that cry?
+
+    ADMETUS.--
+  She is dead! She is dead! Clasping, I felt her die!
+
+    NURSE.--
+  Oh, woe is me, my mistress! Oh, my lord!
+
+    ADMETUS.--
+  Yea, deep into my breast she thrust a sword,
+  So much she hated me!
+
+    NURSE.--
+  Oh, woe, woe, woe!
+
+    ADMETUS.--
+  Death won her love, and Life became her foe!
+
+                 (_He covers his face with his robe._)
+
+    NURSE.--
+  O Child, is it I that have slain thee?
+    For surely thy heart I read,
+  And saw how thy face was set.
+  But mine were the hands to chain thee
+  To the life that thou wouldst forget,
+    And to bring thee back from the dead.
+
+  (_While she is speaking, others enter: the_ WOMEN’S CHORUS, _the_
+      ATTENDANTS, _and two_ CHILDREN. _They stand awe-struck looking
+      on._)
+
+    NURSE.--
+    I knew thy heart,
+  Patient and tender; no grief
+  Failed ever to touch thee; no smart,
+    But with thee found relief.
+  But thou hadst a grief unknown:
+  Silently, down to the grave, thou hast borne it alone.
+
+    ADMETUS.--
+  Lift up your voices and cry! O women, shall she not wake?
+
+    CHORUS.--
+  Wake, mistress, awake!
+
+    ADMETUS.--
+  She lived, she rose, she returned from the dead, having died for my
+      sake.
+
+    CHORUS.--
+  For his sake!
+  For our sake!
+
+    ADMETUS.--
+  Earth had not stained her: her body was sweet, and her form
+  Was fair to the eyes!
+
+    CHORUS.--
+  Oh, the eyes, the eyes!
+
+    ADMETUS.--
+    She lay on my breast, she was warm
+  To my touch, and the prize
+    Was mine!
+
+    CHORUS.--
+  The prize! ah, the prize!
+
+    ADMETUS.--
+  Oh, God, have the years to give
+    Naught but this double death,
+  Of the lips that did once so live,
+    And were twice so parted from breath?
+
+    CHORUS.--
+  Oh, Lady, awake, return! Put off this showing
+  Of death! Repent of thy going!
+  Oh, Mother, return!
+
+                          (_Enter_ PHERES.)
+
+    PHERES.--
+    Fools! Why do ye call on the dead
+  Who hear not? Never again
+    Shall voices burden that ear.
+  Death untasted is feared; but tasted is sweet,
+    And the heart where that honey hath lain
+      Feels hunger no more.
+    Yea, cover the feet that walk not;
+      Yea, cover the eyes!
+  Night for me is not yet; but there like a lover he lies.
+    Look, there is peace in that breast,
+      And her face is a star.
+    Old of foot, to the grave without rest
+      I go: but the journey is far.
+
+                          (_Exit_ PHERES.)
+
+    ADMETUS.--
+  In the heart that my heart would cherish,
+  The gift of the Gods wrought scorn.
+    She is gone from me. Let the day perish
+  Wherein I was born!
+
+    CHORUS.--
+  Death comes early or late;
+    And surely the dead are blest.
+  But I must carry the weight
+    Of my years to a far-off grave,
+    Lying I know not where.
+  Yonder, to cover mine eyes,
+    Grass grows, and the green leaves wave;
+  And the gold of the sun lies there,
+    All bright and at rest.
+
+
+                               CURTAIN.
+
+
+
+
+                         TRANSCRIBER’S NOTES
+
+
+The following changes have been made:
+
+  Changed “Southampon” to “Southampton” in “26 Southampton Street
+    Strand” on title page.
+
+  Changed “royaly” to “royalty” in “is subject to royalty” on second
+    page.
+
+  Added “Pheres--” after “(Enter Pheres)” on page 13.
+
+  Changed “foundst” to “found’st” in “Where found’st thou” on page 16.
+
+  Add question mark after “What means that cry” on page 19.
+
+  New original cover art included with this eBook is granted to the
+    public domain.
+
+
+
+*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 75270 ***