the golden fleece(金羊毛)-第49节
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him to tell him about the radiant god Apollo； whose bow and arrows
Heracles had been given。
After that voyage and after the hunt in Calydon Admetus went back to
his own land。 There he wed that fair and loving woman； Alcestis。 He
might not wed her until he had yoked lions and leopards to the chariot that
drew her。 This was a feat that no hero had been able to accomplish。 With
Apollo's aid he accomplished it。 Thereafter Admetus； having the love of
Alcestis； was even more happy than he had been before。
One day as he walked by fold and through pasture field he saw a
figure standing beside his herd of black cattle。 A radiant figure it was； and
Admetus knew that this was Apollo come to him again。 He went toward
the god and he made reverence and began to speak to him。 But Apollo
turned to Admetus a face that was without joy。
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〃What years of happiness have been mine； O Apollo； through your
friendship for me；〃 said Admetus。 〃Ah； as I walked my pasture land today
it came into my mind how much I loved this green earth and the blue sky！
And all that I know of love and happiness has come to me through you。〃
But still Apollo stood before him with a face that was without joy。 He
spoke and his voice was not that clear and vibrant voice that he had once
in speaking to Admetus。 〃Admetus； Admetus；〃 he said； 〃it is for me to tell
you that you may no more look on the blue sky nor walk upon the green
earth。 It is for me to tell you that the god of the Underworld will have you
come to him。 Admetus； Admetus； know that even now the god of the
Underworld is sending Death for you。〃
Then the light of the world went out for Admetus； and he heard
himself speaking to Apollo in a shaking voice： 〃O Apollo； Apollo； tliou art
a god； and surely thou canst save me！ Save me now from this Death that
the god of the Underworld is sending for me！〃
But Apollo said； 〃Long ago； Admetus； I made a bargain with the god
of the Underworld on thy behalf。 Thou hast been given a chance more than
any mortal man。 If one will go willingly in thy place with Death； thou
canst still live on。 Go； Admetus。 Thou art well loved； and it may be that
thou wilt find one to take thy place。〃
Then Apollo went up unto the mountaintop and Admetus stayed for a
while beside the cattle。 It seemed to him that a little of the darkness had
lifted from the world。 He would go to his palace。 There were aged men
and women there； servants and slaves； and one of them would surely be
willing to take the king's place and go with Death down to the
Underworld。
So Admetus thought as he went toward the palace。 And then he came
upon an ancient woman who sat upon stones in the courtyard； grinding
corn between two stones。 Long had she been doing that wearisome labor。
Admetus had known her from the first time he had come into that
courtyard as a little child； and he had never seen aught in her face but a
heavy misery。 There she was sitting as he had first known her； with her
eyes bleared and her knees shaking； and with the dust of the courtyard and
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the husks of the corn in her matted hair。 He went to her and spoke to her；
and he asked her to take the place of the king and go with Death。
But when she heard the name of Death horror came into the face of the
ancient woman； and she cried out that she would not let Death come near
her。 Then Admetus left her； and he came upon another； upon a sightless
man who held out a shriveled hand for the food that the servants of the
palace might bestow upon him。 Admetus took the man's shriveled hand；
and he asked him if he would not take the king's place and go with Death
that was coming for him。 The sightless man； with howls and shrieks； said
he would not go。
Then Admetus went into the palace and into the chamber where his
bed was； and he lay down upon the bed and he lamented that he would
have to go with Death that was coming for him from the god of the
Underworld； and he lamented that none of the wretched ones around the
palace would take his place。
A hand was laid upon him。 He looked up and he saw his tall and
grave…eyed wife； Alcestis； beside him。 Alcestis spoke to him slowly and
gravely。 〃I have heard what you have said； O my husband；〃 said she。 〃One
should go in your place； for you are the king and have many great affairs
to attend to。 And if none other will go； I； Alcestis； will go in your place；
Admetus。〃
It had seemed to Admetus that ever since he had heard the words of
Apollo that heavy footsteps were coming toward him。 Now the footsteps
seemed to stop。 It was not so terrible for him as before。 He sprang up； and
he took the hands of Alcestis and he said； 〃You； then； will take my place？〃
〃I will go with Death in your place； Admetus；〃 Alcestis said。
Then； even as Admetus looked into her face； he saw a pallor come
upon her； her body weakened and she sank down upon the bed。 Then；
watching over her； he knew that not he but Alcestis would go with Death。
And the words he had spoken he would have taken backthe words that
had brought her consent to go with Death in his place。
Paler and weaker Alcestis grew。 Death would soon be here for her。 No；
not here； for he would not have Death come into the palace。 He lifted
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Alcestis from the bed and he carried her from the palace。 He carried her to
the temple of the gods。 He laid her there upon the bier and waited there
beside her。 No more speech came from her。 He went back to the palace
where all was silent the servants moved about with heads bowed；
lamenting silently for their mistress。
II
As Admetus was coming back from the temple he heard a great shout；
he looked up and saw one standing at the palace doorway。 He knew him
by his lion's skin and his great height。 This was HeraclesHeracles come
to visit him； but come at a sad hour。 He could not now rejoice in the
company of Heracles。 And yet Heracles might be on his way from the
accomplishment of some great labor； and it would not be right to say a
word that might turn him away from his doorway； he might have much
need of rest and refreshment。
Thinking this Admetus went up to Heracles and took his hand and
welcomed him into his house。 〃How is it with you； friend Admetus？〃
Heracles asked。 Admetus would only say that nothing was happening in
his house and that Heracles； his hero…companion； was welcome there。 His
mind was upon a great sacrifice； he said； and so he would not be able to
feast with him。
The servants brought Heracles to the bath； and then showed him where
a feast was laid for him。 And as for Admetus； he went within the chamber；
and knelt beside the bed on which Alcestis had lain； and thought of his
terrible loss。
Heracles； after the bath； put on the brightly colored tunic that the
servants of Admetus brought him。 He put a wreath upon his head and sat
down to the feast。 It was a pity； he thought； that Admetus was not feasting
with him。 But this was only the first of many feasts。 And thinking of what
companionship he would have with Admetus； Heracles left the feasting
hall and came to where the servants were standing about in silence。
〃Why is the house of Admetus so hushed to…day？〃 Heracles asked。
〃It is because of what is befalling；〃 said one of the servants。
〃Ah； the sacrifice that the king is making；〃 said Heracles。 〃To what
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god is that sacrifice due？〃
〃To the god of the Underworld；〃 said the servant。 〃Death is coming to
Alcestis the queen where she lie
