for this is but her due.AlcestisMy children, ye with your own ears have heard your father’s promise, that he will never wed another wife to set her over you, nor e’er dishonour me.AdmetusYea, so I promise now, and accomplish it I will.AlcestisOn these conditions receive the children from my hand.AdmetusI receive them, dear pledges by a dear hapd given.AlcestisTake thou my place and be a mother to these babes.AdmetusSore will be their need when they are reft of thee.AlcestisO my children, I am passing to that world below, when my life was needed most.AdmetusAh me, what can I do bereft of thee?AlcestisThy sorrow Time will soothe; ’tis the dead who are as naught.AdmetusTake me, O take me, I beseech, with thee ’neath the earth.AlcestisEnough that I in thy stead am dying.AdmetusO Destiny! of what a wife art thou despoiling me!AlcestisLo! the darkness deepens on my drooping eyes.AdmetusLost indeed am I, if thou, dear wife, wilt really leave me.AlcestisThou mayst speak of me as naught, as one whose life is o’er.AdmetusLift up thy face, leave not thy children.Alcestis’Tis not my own free will; O my babes, farewell!AdmetusLook, look on them but once.AlcestisMy end is come.