“_Admetus—for thou seest all my plight— Fain would I speak mine heart’s wish, ere I die. I, honouring thee, and setting thee in place Before mine own soul still to see this light, Am dying, unconstrained to die for thee.... Yet she that bare, he that begat, forsook thee, Though fair for death their time of life was come, Yea, fair to save their son and die renowned. ... For these thy babes thou lovest No less than I, if that thy heart be right, Suffer that they have lordship in mine home: Wed not a stepdame to supplant our babes, Whose heart shall tell her she is no Alcestis, Whose jealous hand shall smite them, thine and mine.... For I must die, nor shall it be to morn, Nor on the third day comes on me this bane, Straightway of them that are not shall I be. Farewell, be happy. Now for thee, my lord, Abides the boast to have won the noblest wife, For you, my babes, to have sprung from noblest mother._“[29] Admetus promises all, and more, than she asks. He will never wed again, but will mourn her always. There shall be no more revelry in Pheræ; he will not touch his lyre again, nor sing. Her death has robbed his life of mirth; and all his longing will be to come to her. “_Yet there look thou for me whenso I die: Prepare a home, as who shall dwell with me. For in the selfsame cedar-chest, wherein Thou liest, will I bid them lay my bones Outstretched beside thee: ne’er may I be severed, No, not in death, from thee, my one true friend._“[29] The eager protestations bring some comfort to her passing spirit, and she tenderly commends the children to him. Then: ALCES. _Dark—dark—mine eyes are drooping, heavy-laden._ ADMET. _O, I am lost if thou wilt leave me, wife!_ ALCES. _No more—I am no more...._ _Farewell._[29] Amid the wailing of her children, and the mournful chant of the Chorus, the body of Alcestis is carried into the house, Admetus following to prepare the funeral rites.