Stories from the Greek Tragedians | Page 3

to
the Libyan flute. And some cunning craftsman shall make an image
fashioned like unto thee, and this I will hold in my arms and think of
thee. Cold comfort indeed, yet that shall ease somewhat of the burden
of my soul. But oh! that I had the voice and melody of Orpheus, for
then had I gone down to Hell and persuaded the Queen thereof or her
husband with my song to let thee go; nor would the watch-dog of Pluto,
nor Charon that ferrieth the dead, have hindered me but that I had
brought thee to the light. But do thou wait for me there, for there will I
dwell with thee; and when I die they shall lay me by thy side, for never
was wife so true as thou."
Then said Alcestis, "Take these children as a gift from me, and be as a
mother to them."
"O me!" he cried, "what shall I do, being bereaved of thee?"
And she said, "Time will comfort thee; the dead are as nothing."
But he said, "Nay, but let me depart with thee."
But the Queen made answer, "'Tis enough that I die in thy stead."
And when she had thus spoken she gave up the ghost.
Then the King said to the old men that were gathered together to
comfort him, "I will see to this burial. And do ye sing a hymn as is
meet to the god of the dead. And to all my people I make this decree:
that they mourn for this woman, and clothe themselves in black, and
shave their heads, and that such as have horses cut off their manes, and
that there be not heard in the city the voice of the flute or the sound of
the harp for the space of twelve months."
Then the old men sang the hymn as they had been bidden. And when
they had finished, it befell that Hercules, who was on a journey, came
to the palace and asked whether King Admetus was sojourning there.
And the old men answered, "'Tis even so, Hercules. But what, I pray

thee, bringeth thee to this land?"
"I am bound on an errand for King Eurystheus; even to bring back to
him horses of King Diomed."
"How wilt thou do this? Dost thou not know this Diomed?"
"I know nought of him, nor of his land."
"Thou wilt not master him or his horses without blows."
"Even so, yet I may not refuse the tasks that are set to me."
"Thou art resolved then to do this thing or to die?"
"Ay; and this is not the first race that I have run."
"Thou wilt not easily bridle these horses."
"Why not? They breathe not fire from their nostrils."
"No, but they devour the flesh of men."
"What sayest thou? This is the food of wild beasts, not of horses."
"Yet 'tis true. Thou wilt see their mangers foul with blood."
"And the master of these steeds, whose son is he?"
"He is son of Ares, lord of the land of Thrace."
"Now this is a strange fate and a hard that maketh me fight ever with
the sons of Ares, with Lycaon first, and with Cycnus next, and now
with this King Diomed. But none shall ever see the son of Alcmena
trembling before an enemy."
And now King Admetus came forth from the palace. And when the two
had greeted one another, Hercules would fain know why the King had
shaven his hair as one that mourned for the dead. And the King
answered that he was about to bury that day one that was dear to him.
And when Hercules inquired yet further who this might be, the King
said that his children were well, and his father also, and his mother. But
of his wife he answered so that Hercules understood not that he spake
of her. For he said that she was a stranger by blood, yet near in
friendship, and that she had dwelt in his house, having been left an
orphan of her father. Nevertheless Hercules would have departed and
found entertainment elsewhere, for he would not be troublesome to his
host. But the King suffered him not. And to the servant that stood by he
said, "Take thou this guest to the guest-chamber; and see that they that
have charge of these matters set abundance of food before him. And
take care that ye shut the doors between the chambers and the palace;
for it is not meet that the guest at his meal should hear the cry of them
that mourn."

And when the old men would know why the King, having so great a
trouble upon him, yet entertained a guest, he made answer.
"Would ye have