The Return of Alcestis: A Play in One Act: by Laurence Housman Samuel French: Publisher 28-30 West Thirty-eighth Street: New York LONDON Samuel French, Ltd. 26 SOUTHAMPTON STREET STRAND Copyright, 1916, by LAURENCE HOUSMAN CAUTION.--Amateurs and Professionals are hereby warned that THE RETURN OF ALCESTIS, being fully protected under the copyright laws of the United States, is subject to royalty, and any one presenting the play without the consent of the author or his authorized agent, will be liable to the penalties by law provided. Application for the right to produce THE RETURN OF ALCESTIS must be made to SAMUEL FRENCH, 28-30 West 38th Street, New York City. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. THE RETURN OF ALCESTIS. DRAMATIS PERSONAE. ALCESTIS HER NURSE HER DAUGHTER HER ATTENDANTS CHORUS OF WOMEN ADMETUS PHERES (_his father_) EUMELOS (_his son_) HIS ATTENDANT CHORUS OF MEN HYMEN THE RETURN OF ALCESTIS SCENE:--_A chamber in the house of_ ADMETUS, _King of Pheræ. Across the center, backed by pillars, stretches a high screen, with curtained entrances at back to right and left. Before it stands the bridal couch, in front of which is a chair facing the audience. Down-stage at center, on a lower level, is the domestic altar. By the altar stands_ HYMEN _bearing a torch_. HYMEN.-- House of Admetus, whom the Gods befriend, Peace be within your gates, and joy attend On this day’s bridal! For now Pheres’ son, Helped by the hand of Heracles, hath won Back from the tomb his wife, who blameless died That he might live; and, to reclaim his bride, Comes now where, lo, the nuptial feast is spread. So shall fruit crown once more the marriage-bed, And to his loins give sons, and thence make strong The breed of his great race; for whom, when song Was hushed in Heaven, Phoebus, the sun-bright God, Did shepherd-service, and inglorious trod These walls within. To him the God then gave This promise, that he should not see the grave, If, of free-will, one, offering in his stead, Rendered the debt. So passed she to the dead: But comes again upraised. Therefore, ’tis meet That they which mourned should dance, and mouths make sweet Music about this chamber, decked and dight For fruitful wedlock: whereto I bring light, And warmth, and blessing. So may surer bliss, And through long years, attend the marriage kiss, Which here now is to be. (_Exit_ HYMEN. _Enter_ CHORUS OF WOMEN.)