the approaching evil change the natural beauty of her skin.  And then rushing to her chamber, and her bed, there indeed she wept and spoke thus:  “O bridal bed, whereon I loosed my virgin zone with this man, for whom I die, farewell! for I hate thee not; but me alone hast thou lost; for dreading to betray thee, and my husband, I die; but thee some other woman will possess, more chaste there can not, but perchance more fortunate."[14]—­And falling on it she kissed it; but all the bed was bathed with the flood that issued from her eyes.  But when she had satiety of much weeping, she goes hastily forward,[15] rushing from the bed.  And ofttimes having left her chamber, she oft returned, and threw herself upon the bed again.  And her children, hanging to the garments of their mother, wept; but she, taking them in her arms, embraced them, first one and then the other, as about to die.  But all the domestics wept throughout the house, bewailing their mistress, but she stretched out her right hand to each, and there was none so mean, whom she addressed not, and was answered in return.  Such are the woes in the house of Admetus.  And had he died indeed, he would have perished; but now that he has escaped death, he has grief to that degree which he will never forget.

CHOR.  Surely Admetus groans at these evils, if he must be deprived of so excellent a wife.

ATT.  Yes, he weeps, holding his dear wife in his hands, and prays her not to leave him, asking impossibilities; for she wastes away, and is consumed by sickness, but fainting a wretched burden in his arms, yet still though but feebly breathing, she fain would glance toward the rays of the sun; as though never again, but now for the last time she is to view the sun’s beam and his orb.  But I will go and announce your presence, for it is by no means all that are well-wishers to their lords, so as to come kindly to them in their misfortunes; but you of old are friendly to my master.

SEMICH.  O Jove, what means of escape can there in any way be, and what method to rid us of the fortune which attends my master?

SEMICH.  Will any appear? or must I cut my locks, and clothe me even now in black array of garments?

SEMICH.  ’Tis plain, my friends, too plain; but still let us pray to the Gods, for the power of the Gods is mightiest.

SEMICH.  O Apollo, king of healing, find out some remedy for the evils of Admetus, procure it, O! procure it.  For before this also thou didst find remedy, and now become our deliverer from death, and stop the murderous Pluto.

SEMICH.  Alas! alas! woe! woe!  O son of Pheres, how didst thou fare when thou wert deprived of thy wife?

SEMICH.  Alas! alas! these things would even justify self-slaughter, and there is more, than whereat one might thrust one’s neck in the suspending noose.[16]

SEMICH.  For not a dear, but a most dear wife, wilt thou see dead this day.