Thou hast lost a noble wife; who shall gainsay it?AdmetusLife henceforth hath lost all charm for me.HeraclesTime will soothe the smart; as yet thy grief is young.AdmetusTime! use that word, if death and time are one.HeraclesA new wife and a longing for a fresh marriage will stay thy sorrow.AdmetusPeace! What words are thine? I ne’er of thee had thought it.HeraclesWhat! wilt never wed, but preserve thy widowed state?AdmetusThere is no woman living that shall share my couch.HeraclesDost think that this will help the dead at all?AdmetusMy reverence she deserves, where’er she is.HeraclesI praise thee, yes; but still thou bringest on thyself the charge of folly.AdmetusSo that thou never call’st me bridegroom, praise me if thou wilt.HeraclesI praise thee for thy loyalty to thy wife.AdmetusCome death! if ever I betray her, dead though she be.HeraclesWell, take this maiden to the shelter of thy noble house.AdmetusSpare me, I entreat thee by Zeus, thy sire.HeraclesBe sure, if thou refuse, ’twill be a sad mistake.AdmetusIf I comply, remorse will gnaw my heart.HeraclesYield; for in god’s good time maybe thou wilt give me thanks.AdmetusAh! would thou hadst never won her in the games!