By Albumazar, the astronomer,
Nor by Ptholomy, prince of astronomy.
J. Skelton,
Philip Sparoiv
(time, Henry VIII.).
Alcestis or Alcestes, daughter of Pelias and wife of Admetus (q. v.) On his wedding-day Admetus neglected to offer sacrifice to Diana and was condemned to die, but Apollo induced the Fates to spare his life if he could find a voluntary substitute. His wife offered to give her life for his, and went away with death; but Hercules fought with Death and restored Alcestes to her husband. This story is the subject of a tragedy Alcestes, by Euripides. Milton alludes to the incident in one of his sonnets:
Methought I saw my late espoused saint
Brought to me like Alcestes from the grave.
John Milton, Sonnet On his deceased Wife.
William Morris has made Alcestes the subject of one of the tales in his Earthly Paradise.