Alcestis
Children, you yourselves have heard your father promise never to put another woman over you, never to dishonor me.
Admetus
I promise and will make it good hereafter.
Alcestis
[375]
On those terms, then, receive the children from my hand.
Admetus
I receive them, a precious gift from a precious hand.
Alcestis
Be therefore mother to these children in my place.
Admetus
So I clearly must since they are bereft of you.
Alcestis
Children, at a time when I ought to be alive I go below.
Admetus
[380]
Ah, what then shall I do separated from you?
Alcestis
Time will heal you. One who is dead is nothing.
Admetus
Take me with you, by the gods, take me below.
Alcestis
My death in your place is enough.
Admetus
O fate,1 what a wife you take from me!
Alcestis
[385]
Already now my sight is dimmed with darkness.
Admetus
I am lost, then, if you are going to leave me.
Alcestis
No more existing: such you may call me now.
Admetus
Raise up your head! Do not leave your children!
Alcestis
I leave them all unwilling. Farewell, children!
Admetus
[390]
Look at them, look!
Alcestis
I am gone.
Admetus
What are you doing? Are you leaving me?
Alcestis
Husband, farewell!
Admetus
I am utterly undone.
Chorus-Leader
She is gone. Admetus' wife is no more.
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Euripides. Euripides, with an English translation by David Kovacs. Cambridge. Harvard University Press. 1994.
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