They bid me through thy strengthened soul transfuse
High courage, noble constancy. Submit,
Bow down to them thy spirit. Be thou calm,
Be near me. Aid me. In the dread extreme
To which I now approach, from whom but thee
Should comfort be derived? Afflict me not,
In such an hour, with anguish worse than death.
O faithful and belov'd! support me still!
******
The chorusses with which this tragedy is interspersed are distinguished for their melody and classic beauty. The following translation will give our readers a faint idea of the one by which the third act is concluded.
Alc. My children! all is finished. Now farewell!
To thy fond care, O Pheres! I commit
My widow'd Lord, forsake him not.
Eum. Alas!
Sweet mother! wilt thou leave us? from thy side
Are we for ever parted?
Phe. Tears forbid
All utterance of our woes. Bereft of sense,
More lifeless than the dying victim, see
The desolate Admetus. Farther yet,
Still farther let us bear him from the sight
Of his Alcestis.
Alc. O my handmaids! still
Lend me your pious aid, and thus compose
With sacred modesty, these torpid limbs
When death's last pang is o'er.
Chorus. Alas! how weak
Her struggling voice! that last keen pang is near.
Peace, mourners, peace!
Be hush'd, be silent, in this hour of dread!
Our cries would but increase
The sufferer's pangs; let tears unheard be shed,
Cease, voice of weeping, cease!
Sustain, O friend!
Upon thy faithful breast,
The head that sinks, with mortal pain opprest!
And thou, assistance lend
To close the languid eye,
Still beautiful, in life's last agony.
Alas! how long a strife!
What anguish struggles in the parting breath,
Ere yet immortal life
Be won by death!
Death! death! thy work complete!
Let thy sad hour be fleet,
Speed, in thy mercy, the releasing sigh!
No more keen pangs impart
To her, the high in heart,
Th' ador'd Alcestis, worthy ne'er to die.
