A holy master o'er his holy slave. {13} How again when trouble came to Admetus he had saved him from the day of death, on condition that another would die in his stead. His friends, his father, e'en the aged dame {19} That gave him birth were asked in vain: not one Was found, his wife except. The dreadful day has come, and Alcestis is at this moment breathing her last in the arms of her husband: and he himself must leave his loved friend, for Deity may not abide in the neighborhood of death's pollution. {27} _Suddenly, the hideous Phantom of Death becomes visible, ascending the Steps of the Dead [from below the Orchestra on to the Stage]: his pace never flags, yet he cowers, like all things of darkness, before the Bow of Apollo._ _Death_ reproaches Apollo with haunting the dwellings of mortals, and with seeking by that Bow of his to defraud the Infernal Powers of their due. _Apollo_ defends himself: he is but visiting friends he loves: he has no thought of using force. But would he could persuade Death to choose his victims according to the law of nature, and slay ripe lingering age instead of youth! _Death._ Greater my glory when the youthful die! {58} _Apollo_ appeals to self-interest: more sumptuous obsequies await the aged dead.--That, answers _Death_, were to make laws in favor of the rich.--_Apollo_ condescends to ask mercy for his friend as a favor; but favors, _Death_ sneers, are not in keeping with his manners; and taunts Apollo with his helplessness to resist fate. The taunt rouses Apollo to a flash of prophecy (which is one of his attributes), giving (as the Greek stage loved to do) a glimpse into the end of the story. _Apollo._ Yet, ruthless as thou art, soon wilt thou cease {67} This contest; such a man to Pherae's house Comes. . . . . He, in this house A welcome guest to Admetus, will by force Take his wife from thee; and no thanks from me Will be thy due; yet what I now entreat Then thou wilt yield, and I shall hate thee still. Apollo moves away and disappears in the distance [_by Left Side-door_], while Death, hurling defiance after him, waves his fatal sword and crosses the threshold. {81} PARODE, OR CHORUS-ENTRY _Enter the Orchestra [by the Right Archway, as from the neighborhood] the Chorus: Old Men of Pherae, come to enquire how it is with the Queen on the morning of this appointed day of her death. As usual in such Chorus-Entries their chanting is accompanied with music and gesture-dance to a rhythm traditionally associated with marching. But by a very unusual effect they enter in disordered ranks, moving in two loosely-formed bodies towards the Central Altar._ {82}