slay me not already slain. For in her I seem once more to see my wife; and my heart is darkly troubled, and the fountains of my eyes are loosed. Ah, woe is me! Now do I taste the bitterness of this my grief.ChorusIndeed I cannot call thy fortune blest, yet heaven’s gift must thou endure, whoe’er the god that comes to bring it.HeraclesWould I had the power to bring thy wife up to the light from the halls of death, and confer this kindness on thee!AdmetusRight well I know thou wouldst. But what of that? The dead can never come to life again.HeraclesDo not exceed the mark, but bear thy grief with moderation.