Gorgon.
_Herc._ Hast thou her hand?
_Adm._ I have.
_Herc._ (_lifting the veil_) Then hold her safe.
Hereafter thou wilt say the son of Jove
Hath been a generous guest; view now her face,
See if she bears resemblance to thy wife,
And thus made happy bid farewell to grief.
_Adm._ O, Gods, what shall I say? 'Tis marvelous,
Exceeding hope. See I my wife indeed?
Or doth some god distract me with false joy?
_Herc._ In very deed dost thou behold thy wife. {1200}
_Adm._ See that it be no phantom from beneath.
_Herc._ Make not thy friend one that evokes the shades.
_Adm._ And do I see my wife, whom I entomb'd?
_Herc._ I marvel not that thou art diffident.
_Adm._ I touch her; may I speak to her as living?
_Herc._ Speak to her: thou hast all thy heart could wish.
_Adm._ Dearest of women, do I see again
That face, that person? This exceeds all hope;
I never thought that I should see thee more.
_Herc._ Thou hast her; may no God be envious of thee. {1210}
_Adm._ O be thou blest, thou generous son of Jove!
Thy father's might protect thee! Thou alone
Hast rais'd her to me; from the realms below
How hast thou brought her to the light of life?
_Herc._ I fought with him that lords it o'er the shades.
_Adm._ Where with the gloomy tyrant didst thou fight?
_Herc._ I lay in wait and seized him at the tomb.
_Adm._ But wherefore doth my wife thus speechless stand?
_Herc._ It is not yet permitted[3] that thou hear
Her voice addressing thee, till from the Gods {1220}
That rule beneath she be unsanctified
With hallow'd rites, and the third morn return.
But lead her in; and as thou'rt just in all
Besides, Admetus, see thou reverence strangers.
Farewell: I go t' achieve the destined toil
For the imperial son of Sthenelus.
_Adm._ Abide with us, and share my friendly hearth.
_Herc._ That time will come again; this demands speed.
_Adm._ Success attend thee: safe may'st thou return.
Now to my citizens I give in charge, {1230}
And to each chief, that for this blest event
They institute the dance; let the steer bleed,
And the rich altars, as they pay their vows,
Breathe incense to the god