Who hears the wailing voice and thud of hands,
The seemly woe of the maidens?

_At the Altar they again break up and fall into marching rhythm._

_2nd Semi._ Yet to-day is the dread day appointed-- {105}
_1st Semi._ Speak not the word!
_2nd Semi._ The day she must pass into Hades--
_1st Semi._ I am cut to the heart!
I am cut to the soul!
_2nd Semi._ When the righteous endure tribulation,
Avails nought long-tried love
Nought is left to the friendly--but mourning!

_Accordingly they address themselves to a Full Choral Ode, the
evolutions carrying them to the extreme Left of the Orchestra in the
Strophe, and in the Antistrophe back to the Altar._

CHORAL INTERLUDE I

_Strophe_

In vain--our pious vows are vain-- {111}
Make we the flying sail our care,
The light bark bounding o'er the main;
To what new realm shall we repair?
To Lycia's hallow'd strand?
Or where in solitary state,
Mid thirsty deserts wild and wide
That close him round on every side,
Prophetic Ammon holds his awful seat?
What charm, what potent hand
Shall save her from the realms beneath?
He comes, the ruthless tyrant Death:
I have no priest, no altar more,
Whose aid I may implore!

_Antistrophe_

O that the Son of Phoebus now {121}
Lived to behold th' ethereal light!
Then might she leave the seats below,
Where Pluto reigns in cheerless night!
The Sage's potent art,
Till thund'ring Jove's avenging pow'r
Hurl'd his red Thunders at his breast,
Could, from the yawning gulf releast,
To the sweet light of life the dead restore.
Who now shall aid impart?
To ev'ry god, at ev'ry shrine,
The king hath paid the rites divine:
But vain his vows, his pious care;
And ours is dark despair!

EPISODE I

_At last they have been heard, and one of the Queen's Women comes
weeping from the Palace [by one of the Inferior Doors]: the Chorus fall
into their Episode position, in two ranks, between the Altar and the
Stage, taking part by their Foreman in the dialogue._

The Chorus eagerly enquire whether Alcestis yet lives. {138}