"Dost thou love this maiden with all thy heart and soul, Admetus?" he asked.
"I would face the whole world to win her," said he.
"Wouldst thou lay down thy life for her?"
"Why ask so poor a sacrifice? My life without her would be a thing of nought."
From the shadow of the trees came the strange herdsman, playing on his lyre.
Again the herdsman gazed at him, and seemed to read his inmost soul.
"In sooth, I verily believe that, were death now to face thee, thou wouldst gladly die for her. Go forth, then, and win thy bride, and I will help thee all I can. If thou fulfil the first part of the test, I will see to it that thou fail not in the second."