r Alcestis grew. Death would soon be here for her. No,
not here, for he would not have Death come into the palace. He lifted
Alcestis from the bed and he carried her from the palace. He carried
her to the temple of the gods. He laid her there upon the bier and
waited there beside her. No more speech came from her. He went back to
the palace where all was silent--the servants moved about with heads
bowed, lamenting silently for their mistress.

II

As Admetus was coming back from the temple he heard a great shout; he
looked up and saw one standing at the palace doorway. He knew him by
his lion's skin and his great height. This was Heracles--Heracles come
to visit him, but come at a sad hour. He could not now rejoice in the
company of Heracles. And yet Heracles might be on his way from the
accomplishment of some great labor, and it would not be right to say a
word that might turn him away from his doorway; he might have much need
of rest and refreshment.

Thinking this Admetus went up to Heracles and took his hand and
welcomed him into his house. "How is it with you, friend Admetus?"
Heracles asked. Admetus would only say that nothing was happening in
his house and that Heracles, his hero-companion, was welcome there. His
mind was upon a great sacrifice, he said, and so he would not be able
to feast with him.

The servants brought Heracles to the bath, and then showed him where a
feast was laid for him. And as for Admetus, he went within the chamber,
and knelt beside the bed on which Alcestis had lain, and thought of his
terrible loss.

Heracles, after the bath, put on the brightly colored tunic that the
servants of Admetus brought him. He put a wreath upon his head and sat
down to the feast. It was a pity, he thought, that Admetus was not
feasting with him. But this was only the first of many feasts. And
thinking of what companionship he would have with Admetus, Heracles
left the feasting hall and came to where the servants were standing
about in silence.

"Why is the house of Admetus so hushed to-day?" Heracles asked.

"It is because of what is befalling," said one of the servants.

"Ah, the sacrifice that the king is making," said Heracles. "To what
god is that sacrifice due?"

"To the god of the Underworld," said the servant. "Death is coming to
Alcestis the queen where she lies on a bier in the temple of the gods."

Then the servant told Heracles the story of how Alcestis had taken her
husband's place,