ADMETUS.
She is, and is not; and my heart hath bled
Long years for her.
HERACLES.
I understand no more.
Thy words are riddles.
ADMETUS.
Heard'st thou not of yore
The doom that she must meet?
HERACLES.
I know thy wife
Has sworn to die for thee.
ADMETUS.
And is it life,
To live with such an oath hung o'er her head?
HERACLES (relieved).
Ah,
Weep not too soon, friend. Wait till she be dead.
ADMETUS.
He dies who is doomed to die; he is dead who dies.
HERACLES.
The two are different things in most men's eyes.
ADMETUS.
Decide thy way, lord, and let me decide
The other way.
HERACLES.
Who is it that has died?
Thou weepest.