Great Zeus, and thou, Apollo, and thou too——

Admetus.

[Interrupting hurriedly.] Oh, Heracles, you come in fitting time

To this afflicted and much suffering house.

Heracles.

Wherefore afflicted? Anybody dead?

Admetus.

Not dead, but living. That the grievance is.

Heracles.

A plague on riddles! Make your meaning clear.