ALCESTIS
Admetus
Not they. My children are well and living in their house.     515
Heracles
If it is your father who is gone, his time was ripe.
Admetus
No, he is still there, Heracles. My mother, too.
Heracles
Surely you have not lost your wife, Alcestis.
Admetus
Yes
and no. There are two ways that I could answer that.
Heracles
Did you say that she is dead or that she is still alive?	520
Admetus
She is, but she is gone away. It troubles me.
Heracles
1 still do not know what you mean. You are being
obscure.
Admetus
You know about her and what must happen, do you not?
Heracles
1 know that she has undertaken to die for you.
Admetus
How can she really live, then, when she has promised
that?	525
Heracles
Ah, do not mourn her before she dies. Wait for the time.
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