_
EPISODE V
_Return of the Funeral Procession, headed by the Chorus who remain in
the Orchestra; the rest file up the steps onto the stage, Admetus last.
The Episode is technically a 'Dirge' between Admetus, whose speeches
fall into the rhythm of a Funeral March, and the Chorus, who speak in
Strophes and Antistrophes of more elaborate lyric rhythm, often
interrupted by the wails of Admetus._
_Admetus reaching the top of the Steps from the Orchestra stands face
to face with the splendid facade of his Palace_. Hateful entrance,
hateful aspect of a widowed home! How find rest there, in the heavy
woes to which he is now doomed? It is with the dead that rest is
found: his heart is in their dark houses, where he has placed a loved
hostage torn from him by fate! {931}
_Chorus_ [_in Strophe_]. Nevertheless he must go forward; he must hide
him in the deepest recesses of his Palace with his grief, the helpless
groans that yet will nothing aid her whom he will never see more! {938}
_Admetus_ cries that that is the deepest wound of all! Would he had
never wedded! To mourn single is pain endurable; to see children
wasting with disease, to see death invading the nuptial bed--that is
the pang unbearable! {950}
_Chorus_ [_in Antistrophe_].
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