PHERES.-- Yet, when the wound is salved, the flesh will heal. ADMETUS.-- Thou, living, art the wound from which I shrink! PHERES.-- Hadst thou thyself no stomach, but I must drink This cup for thee? ADMETUS.-- What use to thee was life,-- Being old? PHERES.-- I loved it, better than thou thy wife! Therefore she died for thee! ADMETUS.-- Death! is thy sting In this old serpent’s tail, that he must fling His tainted carcase across my path this day? PHERES.-- Pass! For no longer will I bar thy way To bliss. Go, dull thy conscience with fresh lust; Embrace the body which thou didst cast to dust; Feast on the flesh again, thou carrion fly! (ADMETUS _advances threateningly towards him_.) ATTENDANT. (_Intervening_) My lord! ADMETUS.-- Ye Gods! let him make haste to die, For while he lives corruption taints this earth! PHERES.-- My years are with me; and I know their worth, Better than thou knowest thine. (_Exit_ PHERES.) ATTENDANT.-- Now is my lord Ready? It is the hour. ADMETUS.-- Yea, let the word Be given. Call in the women! (_The_ MINSTRELS _clash their cymbals_.) ATTENDANT.-- Yonder they come. (_Two_ ATTENDANTS _enter with torches. They draw back the curtains from the doors, and stand to right and left of the bed. Enter the_ NURSE _from doorway to right, carrying a cup. Then from the left comes in the bridal procession. In rigid silence the women walk two and two, dropping sprays of myrtle from folded napkins which they carry between them. The movement is sad and full of solemnity, sacrificial in character. They pass from left to right across the stage, descend and pass out._ ALCESTIS, _veiled, comes last, supported by two women; as she halts at left-center they fall back leaving her alone_.) ADMETUS.-- Therefore bid all go forth! Close and make dumb These doors. LEADER.-- And may the eyes of Heaven look down And bless this bridal! Hail to thee, thou crown Of womanhood. Honour is thine this day, And fame for ever! (_The_ MEN’S _Chorus lift their hands in salutation to_ ALCESTIS _as they pass out. Exeunt. The_ NURSE _brings the cup to_ ADMETUS; _he takes it and drinks. She brings the cup to_ ALCESTIS. _The two_ ATTENDANTS _lift up and lay back her veil. The_ NURSE _offers the cup; her hands do not take hold; with shut eyes she drinks. The_ NURSE _goes out, followed by the two_ ATTENDANTS, _who draw the curtains after them_.) ADMETUS.-- Blessing and peace be thine, O form which died, And comest more fair to be my second bride! For now thou shinest upon me like a star! ALCESTIS.-- I give thee greeting, having journeyed far. ADMETUS.-- Mine, or was thine the journey, wouldst thou say?