An Admetus song

Explanation

the song sung to Admetus, a song of mourning. This Admetus was king of Pherae, whom Apollo served as a labourer for the following reason. Asclepius son of Apollo, having been taught medicine by Chiron, and having received from Athena the blood that flowed from the Gorgon's veins, healed many men by means of it; for that which flowed from the left-hand veins he used to destroy men, but that from the right-hand for their salvation — wherefore he is even said in legend to have raised some who were dead. Because, then, men began to think him a god, Zeus blasted him with a thunderbolt; whereupon Apollo in anger killed the Cyclopes who had forged the bolt for Zeus. Zeus was minded to hurl him into Tartarus, but at Leto's pleading he ordered him instead to serve a man as a hireling for one year. Apollo went to Pherae, to Admetus, and tended his flocks for him, making all his cows bear twins. Being most kindly received by him, he asked the Fates that, when Admetus' allotted death should be spun, if another were willing to die in his stead, Admetus might be released from death. When the day of his death came, neither his father nor his mother being willing to die for him, his wife Alcestis died in his place. From that time on, twisted and mournful songs were sung to Admetus, until Persephone sent Alcestis back. As some say, Heracles fought Hades and brought her back to him.