before the eyes of the king, like daylight that must be gone.

At this grievous moment Heracles, mightiest of all men, who was
journeying on his way to new adventures, begged admittance to the
palace, and inquired the cause of such grief in that hospitable place.
He was told of the misfortune that had befallen Admetus, and, struck
with pity, he resolved to try what his strength might do for this man
who had been a friend of gods.

Already Death had come out of Hades for Alcestis, and as Heracles stood
at the door of her chamber he saw that awful form leading away the
lovely spirit of the queen, for the breath had just departed from her
body. Then the might that he had from his divine father Zeus stood by
the hero. He seized Death in his giant arms and wrestled for victory.

Now Death is a visitor that comes and goes. He may not tarry in the
upper world; its air is not for him; and at length, feeling his power
give way, he loosed his grasp of the queen, and, weak with the
struggle, made escape to his native darkness of Hades.

In the chamber where the royal kindred were weeping, the body of
Alcestis lay, fair to see, and once more the breath stirred in her
heart, like a waking bird. Back to its home came her lovely spirit, and
for long years after she lived happily with her husband, King Admetus.




APOLLO'S SISTER.