(enter HERACLES, stage left, leading the veiled ALCESTIS by the hand)

 HERACLES
Yeah, I thought I could trust my friends, Admetus.
That's what I thought: no little white lies, no secrets.
Boy, was I mistaken! Here your lady
had gone and died, and hadn't even been buried;
there she was, so close I could reach out and touch her,
and you didn't even give me a hint it was her.
So I sat down and started eating lunch,
when I should have gone and paid my last respects.
I'm mad at you, Admetus, really mad:
you hurt me --but I know you're hurting, too,
so I'm not here today to take revenge.
Here's the deal: I want you to do me a favor.
I want you to take this lady for me and keep her
'till I get back from killing a guy in Thrace
and stealing his horses. Of course, if I don't make it,
the lady is yours, to help around the house.
You may be wondering how I happen to have her:
it wasn't easy, I'll tell you; she cost me a fight!
You see, I came across some folks who were holding
a contest, free and open to the public.
The prize for the little events was a horse, but they offered
a herd of cattle to whoever won the big ones--
you know, like boxing and wrestling-- and then they also
threw this lady in as an extra bonus.
So I decided to take a shot, and I won!
As I was saying, you take care of the lady.
I won her fair and square, in a hell of a battle.
Someday, maybe, you'll be thanking me!

 ADMETUS
I never meant to hurt you or hide any shame
when I concealed the fate of my lady earlier.
All I wanted to do was avoid the sorrow
of having my guest go stay with another host!
I already had enough pain, and I didn't want
to spread it; I thought I could keep it to myself.
But the lady here: couldn't you try to arrange
for her to stay with someone who isn't grieving?
You could always go to some other friends;
I'm sure they'd take her in; please don't remind me
of all my troubles. I wouldn't have the strength
to see her in my house and keep from crying.
I'm sick enough; don't bring me another malady.
Where would I put a young woman like this? In the bunkhouse?
With all those men, I couldn't protect her for you.
You want me to put her up in Alcestis's room?
How could I let her go to my lady's bed?
People in town would say I deserted my wife
by jumping into somebody else's bed.
And then my lady herself would say that I broke
the promise I made to her as she was dying.
Every move I make requires forethought.
Whoever you are, you look just like my wife:
everything about you reminds me of her.
My heart can't take it! Heracles, you're killing
a dead man! Take her away; please, take her away!
Now I feel the pain, I really do!

 CHORUS
It's hard to find a good word to say about Fortune;
but you must endure her presents like a man.

 HERACLES
I wish I had the strength to get your wife
and bring her back from the house of the dead. I'd do it!

 ADMETUS
I know you would. But what's the point of talking?
The dead will never leave the house of the dead.

 HERACLES
Now, you need to settle down.

 ADMETUS
Easier for you to say, when I'm the one feeling the pain.

 HERACLES
What's the point of carrying on like this?

 ADMETUS
None. But my love for her drives me to it.

 HERACLES
Love for someone you've lost is grief.

 ADMETUS
Losing her has taken more of me than I can say.

 HERACLES
Your wife was a real fine lady, that's for sure.

 ADMETUS
Enough to keep me from ever enjoying life.

 HERACLES
Your pain's still fresh, but time will relieve the pain.

 ADMETUS
Death is the only relief I'll ever get.

HERACLES
A lady is what you need, and a brand new wedding!

 ADMETUS
Never!

 HERACLES
You're sleeping alone for the rest of your life?

 ADMETUS
I shall never sleep with a woman again.

 HERACLES
And this is supposed to help your wife somehow?

 ADMETUS
I owe it to her.

 HERACLES

Fine. But it makes no sense!

 HERACLES
Your loyalty to her is fine, but...

 ADMETUS
I would rather die than betray my wife!

 HERACLES
Now is the time to take this lady's hand.

 ADMETUS
Heracles, no!

 HERACLES

You'll be making a big mistake!

 HERACLES
Just listen to me. This could work out for you.

 ADMETUS
I wish you'd never won her!

 HERACLES
Don't you appreciate my victory?

 ADMETUS
Of course I do. But take her away.

 HERACLES
OK. If she has to go.

 ADMETUS
She has to -- unless you're going to be angry with me.

 HERACLES
I have my reasons.

 ADMETUS
I give up. (to SERVANT) Take the lady inside.

 HERACLES
Uh-uh. I don't give this lady to servants.

 ADMETUS
Fine. Then you take her in.

 HERACLES

No; that's your job.

 HERACLES
Give me your hand, and I'll surrender the lady.

 ADMETUS
Please don't force me to act against my will.

 HERACLES
Have a little courage! Take her hand!

 ADMETUS
Here. (extends his hand, but looks away)

 HERACLES

It's not going to kill you to look at her face!

(joins their hands)

 ADMETUS

Yes, I've got her.

Then hold her tight,

 ADMETUS
Oh, my god: is this some cruel hoax?

 HERACLES
This is your wife!

 ADMETUS

A ghost?

 

 

I don't deal in ghosts.

 HERACLES
Saved from the grave!

 ADMETUS

Oh, my beloved wife,

 HERACLES
She's here, all right; I hope the gods aren't jealous!

 ADMETUS
Heracles, may the god who gave you birth
protect you and make you happy forevermore!
How on earth were you able to get her back?

 HERACLES
A certain god and I had a disagreement;
it got a little physical there for a while,
but he finally came around to my point of view.

 ADMETUS
You fought with the god of death?

 HERACLES

Right next to her grave.

 HERACLES

She can't. You're not allowed

 ADMETUS
Won't you reconsider and stay a while?

 HERACLES
Another time; I've got some work to do.

(exit stage left)

 (exeunt ADMETUS and ALCESTIS into the palace, followed by the SERVANTS)