or in thy tomb I will be laid,
In the same cedar, by thy side composed:
For e'en in death I will not be disjoin'd
From thee who hast alone been faithful to me!

As the Chorus join in Admetus's sorrow the pledge is reiterated, and
the dying mother is satisfied.

_Alc._ Thus pledging, from my hands receive thy children. {386}
_Adm._ A much-loved gift, and from a much-loved hand!

The strength Alcestis had summoned for her last effort now forsakes
her: she sinks rapidly.

_Alc._ A heavy weight hangs on my darkened eye. {396}
_Adm._ If thou forsake me I am lost indeed!
_Alc._ As one that is no more I now am nothing.
_Adm._ Ah, raise thy face! forsake not thus thy children!
_Alc._ It must be so perforce: farewell, my children.
_Adm._ Look on them, but a look.
_Alc._ I am no more.
_Adm._ How dost thou? Wilt thou leave us so?
_Alc._ Farewell.
_Adm._ And what a wretch, what a lost wretch am I!
_Cho._ She's gone! Thy wife, Admetus, is no more!

The little Son flings himself passionately on the corpse [_the metre
breaking out into strophic alternations._]

_Strophe_

_Son._ O my unhappy fate! {405}
My mother sinks to the dark realms of night,
Nor longer views this golden light;
But to the ills of life exposed
Leaves my poor orphan state!
Her eyes, my father, see, her eyes are closed,
And her hand nerveless falls.
Yet hear me, O my mother, hear my cries!
It is thy son who calls,
Who prostrate on the earth breathes on thy lips his sighs.

_Adm._ On one that hears not, sees not! I and you
Must bend beneath affliction's heaviest load.

_Antistrophe_

_Son._ Ah! she hath left my youth-- {417}
My mother, my loved mother is no more--
Left me my sufferings to deplore,
Left me a heritage of woe:
Who shall my sorrows soothe?
Thou too, my sister, thy full share shalt know
Of grief, thy heart to rend.
Vain, O my father, vain thy nuptial vows,
Brought to this speedy end:
For when my mother died in ruin sank our house! {425}

The Chorus [_in calm blank verse_] call on their king to command
himself and bea