[During the last few lines ADMETUS has been looking at the veiled Woman and, though he does not consciously recognize her, feels a strange emotion overmastering him. He draws back.]
Aye. I must walk with care….
O woman, whosoe'er thou art, thou hast
The shape of my Alcestis; thou art cast
In mould like hers…. Oh, take her from mine eyes!
In God's name!
[HERACLES signs to the Attendants to take ALCESTIS away again.
She stays veiled and unnoticing in the background.]
I was fallen, and in this wise
Thou wilt make me deeper fall…. Meseems, meseems,
There in her face the loved one of my dreams
Looked forth.—My heart is made a turbid thing,
Craving I know not what, and my tears spring
Unbidden.—Grief I knew 'twould be; but how
Fiery a grief I never knew till now.
LEADER.
Thy fate I praise not. Yet, what gift soe'er
God giveth, man must steel himself and bear.
HERACLES (drawing ADMETUS on).
Would God, I had the power, 'mid all this might
Of arm, to break the dungeons of the night,
And free thy wife, and make thee glad again!
ADMETUS.
Where is such power? I know thy heart were fain;
But so 'tis writ. The dead shall never rise.
HERACLES.
Chafe not the curb, then: suffer and be wise.
ADMETUS.
Easier to give such counsel than to keep.
HERACLES.
Who will be happier, shouldst thou always weep?