Stasimon 4
[Choral 2]
only to live a life of misery; I know it now. For how shall I endure to enter this my house? Whom shall I address, by whom be answered back, to findNauck brackets this line as spurious. aught joyful in my entering in? Whither shall I turn? Within, the desolation will drive me forth,
940
Admetus
whensoe’er I see my widowed couch, the seat whereon she sat, the floor ail dusty in the house, and my babes falling at my knees with piteous tears for their mother, while my servants mourn the good mistress their house hath lost.
945
These are the sorrows in my home, while abroad the marriages among Thessalians and the thronging crowds of women will drive me mad,Or, drive me away. for I can never bear to gaze upon the compeers of my wife. And whoso is my foe will taunt me thus,
950
Behold him living in his shame, a wretch who quailed at death himself, but of his coward heart gave up his wedded wife instead, and escaped from Hades; doth he deem himself a man after that? And he loathes his parents, though himself refused to die. Such ill report shall I to my evils add.
955
What profit, then, my friends, for me to live, in fame and fortune ruined.
960
[Choral 1]
Myself have traced the Muses’ path, have soared amid the stars, have laid my hold on many a theme,
Chorus
and yet have found naught stronger than necessity, no spell inscribed on Thracian tablets written there by Orpheus, the sweet singer,
965
no! nor aught among the simples culled by Phoebus for the toiling race of men, and given to Asclepius’ sons.
970
The only goddess she, whose altar or whose image man cannot approach;
victims she heedeth not. O come not to me, dread goddess, in greater might than heretofore in my career. Even Zeus requires thy aid to bring to pass whatso he wills.
975
Thou too it is that by sheer force dost bend the steel among the Chalybes; nor is there any pity in thy relentless nature.
980
[Choral 2]
This is the goddess that hath gripped thee too in chains thou canst not ’scape;
Chorus
yet steel thy heart, for all thy weeping ne’er will bring to light again the dead from the realms below. Even sons of gods perish in darknessσκότιοι or the sons of gods by mortal women.
985
in the hour of death. We loved her while she was with us, we love her still though dead; noblest of her sex was she, the wife thou tookest to thy bed.
990
Her tomb let none regard as the graves of those who die and are no more, but let her have honours equal with the gods, revered by every traveller;
995
and many a one will cross the road and read this verse aloud, This is she that died in days gone by to save her lord; now is she a spirit blest. Hail, lady revered; be kind to us!
1000
Such glad greeting shall she have.
1005
