No man may live
on earth forever, but this one gift have I obtained for you. When your
last hour draws near, if any one shall be willing to meet it in your
stead, he shall die, and you shall live on, more than the mortal length
of days. Such kings deserve long life."
So ended the happy year when Apollo tended sheep.
ALCESTIS.
For many years the remembrance of Apollo's service kept Thessaly full
of sunlight. Where a god could work, the people took heart to work
also. Flocks and herds throve, travellers were befriended, and men were
happy under the rule of a happy king and queen.
But one day Admetus fell ill, and he grew weaker and weaker until he
lay at death's door. Then, when no remedy was found to help him and the
hope of the people was failing, they remembered the promise of the
Fates to spare the king if some one else would die in his stead. This
seemed a simple matter for one whose wishes are law, and whose life is
needed by all his fellow-men. But, strange to say, the substitute did
not come forward at once.
Among the king's most faithful friends, many were afraid to die. Men
said that they would gladly give their lives in battle, but that they
could not die in bed at home like helpless old women. The wealthy had
too much to live for; and the poor, who possessed nothing but life,
could not bear to give up that. Even the aged parents of Admetus shrunk
from the thought of losing the few years that remained to them, and
thought it impious that any one should name such a sacrifice.
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