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 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.