{"collection":"myth-cosmogony","full_text_available":true,"graph_url":"https://unchartedknowledge.5gfusion.net/v2/api/page/gutenberg_38909/graph","html_url":"https://unchartedknowledge.5gfusion.net/v2/page/gutenberg_38909","id":"gutenberg_38909","license":"Public Domain (US)","rights_basis":"gutenberg_metadata_copyright_false","source":"gutenberg","source_url":"https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/38909","summary":null,"tags":["Andromache (Legendary character) -- Drama","Category: Mythology, Legends & Folklore","Category: Plays/Films/Dramas"],"text":"E-text prepared by James Wright and the Online Distributed Proofreading\nCanada Team (http://www.pgdpcanada.net)\n\n\n\nANDROMACHE\n\n\n      *      *      *      *      *      *\n\n_BY THE SAME AUTHOR_\nUNIFORM WITH THIS VOLUME\nPaper, 1s. 6d.; Cloth, 2s. 6d.\nCARLYON SAHIB\nA Drama in Four Acts\n\n\nLONDON: WILLIAM HEINEMANN\n21 Bedford Street, W.C.\n\n      *      *      *      *      *      *\n\n\nANDROMACHE\n\nA Play in Three Acts\n\nby\n\nGILBERT MURRAY\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nLondon: William Heinemann\nMDCCCC\n\n_All rights, including Acting rights in the English Language, reserved_\n\n\n\n\n_PREFATORY LETTER._\n\n\n_My Dear ARCHER_,\n\n_The germ of this play sprang into existence on a certain April day in\n1896 which you and I spent chiefly in dragging our reluctant bicycles up\nthe great hills that surround Riveaulx Abbey, and discussing, so far as\nthe blinding rain allowed us, the questions whether all sincere comedies\nare of necessity cynical, and how often we had had tea since the\nmorning, and how far it would be possible to treat a historical subject\nloyally and unconventionally on a modern stage. Then we struck (as, I\nfear, is too often the fate of those who converse with me) on the\nsubject of the lost plays of the Greek tragedians. We talked of the\nextraordinary variety of plot that the Greek dramatist found in his\nhistorical tradition, the force, the fire, the depth and richness of\ncharacter-play. We thought of the marvellous dramatic possibilities of\nan age in which actual and living heroes and sages were to be seen\nmoving against a background of primitive superstition and blank\nsavagery; in which the soul of man walked more free from trappings than\nseems ever to have been permitted to it since. But I must stop; I see\nthat I am approaching the common pitfall of playwrights who venture upon\nprefaces, and am beginning to prove how good my play ought to be!_\n\n_What I want to remind you of is this: that we agreed that a simple\nhistorical play, with as little convention as possible, placed in the\nGreek Heroic Age, and dealing with one of the ordinary heroic stories,\nought to be, well, an interesting experiment. Beyond this point, I know,\nwe began to differ. You wanted verse and the Greece of the English\npoets. I wanted, above all things, a nearer approach to my conception of\nthe real Greece, the Greece of history and even--dare I say it?--of\nanthropology! I recognise your full right to disapprove of every word\nand every sentiment of this play from the first to the last, but I hope\nyou will not grudge me the pleasure of associating your name with at\nleast the inception of the experiment, and thanking you at the same time\nfor the many gifts of friendly encouragement and stimulating objurgation\nwhich you have bestowed upon_\n\n_Yours sincerely_,\n_GILBERT MURRAY_.\n\n_January 1900._\n\n\n\n\n_DRAMATIS PERSONAE_\n\n\nPYRRHUS                 _Son of Achilles; King of Phthia._\n\nANDROMACHE              _Once wife of Hector, Prince of Troy; now slave to\n                           Pyrrhus._\n\nHERMIONE                _Daughter of Helen, Queen of Sparta; wife to\n                           Pyrrhus._\n\nMOLOSSUS                _Child of Pyrrhus and Andromache._\n\nALCIMEDON _or_ ALCIMUS  _An old Captain of Achilles' Myrmidons._\n\nORESTES                 _Son of Agamemnon, King of Mycenae; now banished\n                           for the slaying of his mother, Clytaemnestra._\n\nPYLADES                 _A Prince of Phocis, friend to Orestes._\n\nA PRIEST OF THETIS\n\nTWO MAIDS OF HERMIONE\n\n_Certain Maidens, Myrmidons, Men-at-Arms._\n\n_The Action takes place in Phthia, on the Southern borders of Thessaly,\nabout fifteen years after the Fall of Troy._\n\n\n\n\nANDROMACHE\n\n\n\n\nTHE FIRST ACT\n\n\nSCENE: _The coast of Phthia. Rocks at the back, with the sea visible\nbehind them. One of the rocks is a shrine, having niches cut in it for\nreceiving offerings. On the right in front is the Altar of Thetis,\nshrouded in trees; to the left, a well. A path to the left leads to_\nPYRRHUS' _castle; another, far back to the right, leads to the house of\nthe_ PRIEST. _It is the morning twilight, with a faint glimmer of dawn._\n\n_At the foot of the rock_ ORESTES _is seated in meditation; he carries\ntwo spears, and wears the garb of a traveller. An_ ARMED MAN _is moving\noff the stage at the back, as though going towards the sea; he stops\nsuddenly, listens, and hides behind a rock._\n\n_Enter, coming up from the sea_, PYLADES, _armed. The_ MAN _steps out_.\n\nMAN.\n\nMy lord Pylades.\n\nPYLADES.\n\nWhere have you left him?\n\nMAN.\n\nYonder, by the shrine. He bade me go back to the ship.\n\nPYLADES.\n\n[_Crossing to_ ORESTES.] Is it too late to turn your purpose?\n\nORESTES.\n\n[_As though half roused from his reverie._] I seek only to see if she is\nindeed so passing beautiful. She was; I am sure she was, until----\n[_He pauses._\n\nPYLADES.\n\nLet me go first and spy out a way for you.\n\nORESTES.\n\n[_With sudden resentment._] You think I am still mad!\n\nPYLADES.\n\nNay, no more mad than I, but more quick to anger. It would be safer for\nme to go.\n\nORESTES.\n\nYou think I am still mad because I dared not say it! I will say it here\nby the altar. [_Doggedly._] I will see if she is still as she used to be\nbefore the day when--[_with effort_]--I shed my mother's blood, and\nfirst saw----\n\nPYLADES.\n\nSpeak not Their name, brother. You did nought but the gods' plain\nbidding. You see them no more now that you are healed.\n\nORESTES.\n\n'Twas you that feared to name them, not I!\n\nPYLADES.\n\nNay, you fear nothing; that is why I must fear for you.\n\nORESTES.\n\nWhat is there to fear for me? Most like I shall come back just as I am.\n\nPYLADES.\n\nThat is the one thing that cannot be!\n\nORESTES.\n\n[_Musingly._] If she is changed as all the world else is changed since\nthat time---- [_Abruptly._] I care not for the woman. I will come back.\nIf not---- [_Smiles ambiguously._\n\nPYLADES.\n\nBut why go alone, and why venture so much? We two could lie hid in the\nthickets by the shrine yonder, and see her when the women come to pray\nat sunrise. And then----\n\nORESTES.\n\n[_With determination, interrupting him._] I will go alone, and see her\nand speak with her alone! Hinder me not, friend! Leave no man to watch\nover me. Keep the ship well hidden, and have twoscore men ambushed above\nthe cliff, to hold the path if need comes.\n\nPYLADES.\n\nThere shall be fourscore ever ready to your call, night or day.\n\nMAN.\n\n[_Coming down from path at back._] My chief, the dawn is drawing close.\n\nORESTES.\n\nAy, get you gone before any worshippers come.\n\nPYLADES.\n\nAs you will, then. And Apollo be your guard!\n\n     [_Exeunt_ PYLADES _and_ ARMED MAN. ORESTES _wraps his mantle round\n     him and sits in silence._\n\n     _Enter from the right_, PRIEST _of Thetis, with a bowl in his\n     hands. He climbs a rock at the back and watches the sunrise._\n\nPRIEST.\n\nNot yet. Not quite yet. Ah, there it catches the crag-top: now the\ntrees:--yes, there is the glint far off upon the sea! [_Comes down\ntowards the shrine and prays._] Hail, Thetis! Accept this wine and honey\nI bring thee at first touch of dawn. Keep thy Priest in wealth and\nhonour, even as I keep thy worship. And, as the sunlight drives the\nThings of darkness from thy waters---- [_Seeing_ ORESTES.] Averter of\nevil! Who is this that has sat through the darkness under the Holy Rock?\nStranger, whence come you here?\n\nORESTES.\n\nFrom Acarnania. Have I sinned in resting here?\n\nPRIEST.\n\nNo man of Phthia, for his life, would stay here in darkness! Saw you not\nanything?\n\nORESTES.\n\nWhat should I see?\n\nPRIEST.\n\nNo changing manifold shapes, as of women or winged things?\n\nORESTES.\n\n[_Harshly._] I saw nought but what I have seen on a thousand nights.\nEnough! If I have offended any goddess I will make amends.\n\n     [_He begins to wring off a pendant from a gold chain that he wears,\n     and moves towards the altar._\n\nPRIEST.\n\nStay! There is no blood upon your hands?\n\nORESTES.\n\nI have slain a man.\n\nPRIEST.\n\nHow long since? Is the stain washed off?\n\nORESTES.\n\nOh, I have been purified and purified!\n\nPRIEST.\n\nDuly and fully--with hyssop and the blood of swine?\n\nORESTES.\n\nWith better sacrifices than swine! I am clean enough to make amends to\nyour goddess. [_Coming across to the shrine._] Where shall I lay it? For\nI may need her favour. [_Holds out the gold pendant._\n\nPRIEST.\n\n[_Surprised._] Gold! Stranger, it is well to give gold to Thetis,\nbut----\n\nORESTES.\n\nWell, I give it to Thetis!\n\nPRIEST.\n\nScarce a man in Phthia has ever touched gold, save Pyrrhus himself and\nthe servants of Hermione. Nor many, I should guess, in Acarnania.\n\nORESTES.\n\nA banished man must have his wealth in little compass.\n\nPRIEST.\n\nA chain like that should buy an exile's return.\n\nORESTES.\n\nI care not to return.\n\nPRIEST.\n\nAre the friends of the dead so bitter against you?\n\nORESTES.\n\nThe friends of the dead are dead, and my friends are dead. I have none\nto fear; but I have been wronged, my house taken from me, and my\nfather's wealth, and the woman that was vowed me to wife. No more, old\nman! I am an exile, and I live in happier lands than mine own.\n\nPRIEST.\n\nIs it in Phthia you seek for a happy land? No matter; affliction comes\nto the good as to the evil.\n\nORESTES.\n\nWhy, what ails your city, if a stranger may know?\n\nPRIEST.\n\nSee you that shrine, and the footprint of Thetis in the rock? Once it\nwas all covered with offerings!\n\nORESTES.\n\nIt is not so well loaded, nor yet so ill. Is there no worse than that?\n\nPRIEST.\n\nWorse? Barren fields and a barren queen, and hatred in the house of\nAchilles!\n\nORESTES.\n\nIs it some sin the King has done?\n\nPRIEST.\n\nThe King and a woman.\n\nORESTES.\n\n[_Starting._] Has _that_ sin met its punishment? Speak plainly, Priest.\n\nPRIEST.\n\nLong years ago, Pyrrhus brought back from Troy a slave woman to share\nhis bed.\n\nORESTES.\n\n[_As though reassured._] Hector's wife, Andromache, men say.\n\nPRIEST.\n\nThe wife of his father's bitterest enemy! Ay, and she was his enemy too,\nand loathed her life with Pyrrhus.\n\nORESTES.\n\nThey all struggle, these women captives. But what harm came of it?\n\nPRIEST.\n\nShe is a foe to the land and to Thetis!\n\nORESTES.\n\nBut has he not cast her off? [_With constraint._] Men say he has wedded\na new Queen, the daughter of Helen.\n\nPRIEST.\n\nOh, the Trojan has not dwelt in the King's house these ten years back.\nShe begged him for a hut in the mountain, and he gave it her.\n\nORESTES.\n\nShe begged to be sent away! How was that?\n\nPRIEST.\n\nWhy should a woman wish to live in secret, and not be seen? [_Slight\npause._] There be wise women among the barbarians.\n\nORESTES.\n\nWise in bad drugs and magic; I know no other wisdom in them.\n\nPRIEST.\n\nYou have said it! There is a prophet here who knows of counter-charms--I\ngave him three ewes for this that I wear--[_showing a charm made of\nwolves' teeth_]--else I durst not face her!\n\nORESTES.\n\nWhom has she chiefly hurt?\n\nPRIEST.\n\nMen say she has waked the dead Hector to come to her across the seas!\n[_He shudders._] But for the King, we should have judged her long ago.\n\nORESTES.\n\nDoes the new Queen hate her?\n\nPRIEST.\n\nHas she not blighted the womb of the Queen? There is no heir to Achilles\nin Achilles' land!\n\nORESTES.\n\nAnd does Pyrrhus sit still while his Queen is thus wronged?\n\nPRIEST.\n\nCannot a witch blind the eyes? He can see nothing, and will hearken to\nnothing. Even now he has taken the Trojan woman's bastard with him.\n\nORESTES.\n\nIs Pyrrhus away from the land? Where?\n\nPRIEST.\n\nHe has gone hunting in the hills yonder--[_pointing_]--and down to the\nfields of the Napaeans.\n\nORESTES.\n\nWhen should he return?\n\nPRIEST.\n\nTo-day, it may be--it is the fifth day of the hunt; or perchance the\ngame may keep him some time yet.\n\n     [_Enter_ ALCIMEDON, L., _an old man with spears but no armour; he\n     carries a bunch of violets for Thetis_.] The witch woman is mad\n     lest any hurt come to the boy!\n\nALCIMEDON.\n\nHealth to you, Priest, and discretion to your tongue!\n\nPRIEST.\n\nHealth I accept, Alcimedon,--discretion to them that need it!\n\nORESTES.\n\n[_To the_ PRIEST.] Why, what should bring hurt to the lad?\n\nALCIMEDON.\n\n[_Carelessly, passing on._] Jealousy stranger. Priests and barren women!\n\n     [_He passes on to the altar, and then to the rock, where he puts\n     his violets._\n\nPRIEST.\n\nJealousy!\n\nORESTES.\n\n[_Involuntarily._] Hermione would never plot against the boy!\n\n     [_He makes an angry movement after_ ALCIMEDON.\n\nPRIEST.\n\nWhat jealousy? What need to be jealous of him? He is no true heir. We\nhave a King, and we have a Queen, both of the blood of Zeus, both our\ntrue rulers, but heir there is none.\n\nALCIMEDON.\n\n[_Seeing and handling the gold link._] Ye golden gods, have the sons of\nPactolus us come to Phthia?\n\nORESTES.\n\n[_In sudden anger._] The curse of the crawling lichen on the man who\nmoves that gold!\n\nALCIMEDON.\n\nOn your own head! [_Throws gold quickly down._] Who are you, stranger,\nto curse one that has done you no wrong?\n\nORESTES.\n\nI check the wrong before it is done. And I tell not my name save to my\nhost after I have eaten and slept.\n\nALCIMEDON.\n\nIf you come to teach your manners to the Myrmidons, by Thetis! you shall\nlearn theirs first. Is the stranger yours, O Priest?\n\nORESTES.\n\nI have broken no man's bread nor touched his hand. [_Defiantly._] What\nsee you more?\n\nALCIMEDON.\n\nWhy is he so bold? Has he sanctuary with Thetis?\n\nORESTES.\n\n[_Lifting his two spears._] This is my sanctuary. And there is more gold\nfor the man that will break through it.\n\nPRIEST.\n\nStay! Slay not the stranger so fast, Alcimedon. Reason with him. He will\ngive up the chain, and we will let him go in peace.\n\nALCIMEDON.\n\nGo in peace, when he has lifted his spear against Alcimedon! How shall I\nlook my grandchildren in the face? By Thetis! I will wash the chain with\nhis blood!\n\nPRIEST.\n\nBeware; he has spears! It is man to man.\n\n     [_Noise of footsteps._ ORESTES _puts his back towards a rock, so\n     that neither he nor_ ALCIMEDON _sees_ ANDROMACHE, _the_ MAID, _and\n     two other damsels, who enter with pitchers on their heads_.\n\nALCIMEDON.\n\n[_With his eye on_ ORESTES.] Ha! who comes there? [_Calling to the\nnewcomers without looking at them._] A stranger in arms, and with gold!\nHo! Myrmidons!\n\nANDROMACHE.\n\nShame on you, Alcimedon, robber of strangers!\n\nALCIMEDON.\n\nIs it you? [_Yielding reluctantly._] Nay, he is no man's guest; it is\nlawful to slay him.\n\nANDROMACHE.\n\nHe is mine. [_To_ ORESTES.] Stranger, give me your right hand. [_To_\nALCIMEDON.] He is my guest.\n\nORESTES.\n\n[_Still stormy and excited._] Shall I take a woman's hand for fear of\nthis old loon? My spear-blade is dry and has not drunk.\n\nPRIEST.\n\nStranger, you are alone; a wise man chooses peace, and not war.\n\nORESTES.\n\nAlone? As a wolf among sheep is alone. When he slays first the\ndog--[_pointing spear at_ ALCIMEDON]--and bleeds the sheep as he will!\n\nANDROMACHE.\n\nAnd who will be the better when he has bled them? Nay, old friend--[_to_\nALCIMEDON, _who wants to break in; then to_ ORESTES _again_]--though you\nslay us all, you have but lost the food and shelter we had given you;\nand the shedder of blood escapes not the Dread Watchers.\n\nORESTES.\n\n[_Who had been cooling, starts and threatens her._] What know _you_ of\nthe Dread Watchers?\n\nANDROMACHE.\n\nAnd there is little glory in the slaying of a woman, and little gain.\n\nORESTES.\n\n[_Wildly._] What woman? Who are you that taunt me? Priest, is this your\nwitch?\n\nALCIMEDON.\n\n[_Angrily._] She is no witch! You lie, both stranger and priest!\n\nANDROMACHE.\n\nI am a bondwoman of the King.\n\nALCIMEDON.\n\nAndromache, once wife of Hector, Prince of Troy.\n\nORESTES.\n\nAnd am I to be the guest of a bondwoman?\n\nANDROMACHE.\n\nThere are others of free estate who will take you in. I only sought to\nsave men's lives.\n\nORESTES.\n\nWhat worth are men's lives? I will be guest to none but the King.\n\nANDROMACHE.\n\nOne of these will guide you, when you will, to Pyrrhus' castle.\n\nORESTES.\n\n[_Relaxing suddenly._] Oh, let me be.\n\n     [_He sits down on a rock, and buries his face in his hands._\n\nANDROMACHE.\n\n[_To_ ALCIMEDON.] The man is very weary and sore at heart, Alcimedon.\n\nPRIEST.\n\nIt may be he is mad. It is well we hurt him not.\n\nALCIMEDON.\n\nBanishment may make a man well-nigh mad. I remember the year of my own\nmanslaying.\n\nANDROMACHE.\n\nPerchance he has been long alone in the forests. Take him and give him\nfood and drink.\n\nALCIMEDON.\n\nThe priest can take him. I want no more of the man.\n\nORESTES.\n\n[_Wearily._] Nay, touch me not. Leave me awhile.\n\nPRIEST.\n\n[_To the others._] It is well. Make your prayers.\n\nANDROMACHE.\n\n[_Approaching the altar, and praying with upstretched hands._] Greeting\nto thee and joy, Thetis, mother of all Phthia. Give us peace in this\nland; and grant that my son Molossus return safe, and grow to give joy\nto thee and all this house!\n\nALCIMEDON.\n\n[_In the same way._] Joy to thee, Thetis! Accept my offerings, and grant\nthat my arms keep strong, and that I find the man whose swine have\ntrampled my barley field.\n\nMAID.\n\nIt will be a long day before Thetis grants you that, old man.\n\nALCIMEDON.\n\n[_Grumbling._] If I only knew of any one that knew!\n\nPRIEST.\n\n[_To_ FIRST MAID.] Have you a prayer to make?\n\nMAID.\n\n[_Taking offerings from other_ MAIDS _to add to her own_.] Hail, Thetis!\nand may joy be ever with thee! Accept these offerings from the\nbondmaidens Aithra, and Pholoe, and Deianassa; and grant all good things\nto them and theirs. [_A pause._\n\nALCIMEDON.\n\nThe jade! She is praying in silence! Ho, stop her, Priest! [_The others\ngiggle._\n\nMAID.\n\n'Tis as good as a witch's prayer, at the worst!\n\nALCIMEDON.\n\n[_Taking hold of her and threatening her with the shaft of his spear._]\nSay it aloud, now! Say what it was!\n\nMAID.\n\nI won't! I won't! Let me be. It was no harm.\n\nANDROMACHE.\n\nLet her be.\n\nALCIMEDON.\n\nSwear it was nothing touching me, nor my crops, nor those swine!\n\nMAID.\n\nBy Thetis! I think not of you, nor your crops nor your swine!\n\nORESTES.\n\n[_Recovering from his reverie._] Well, lead me in. I will be the guest\nof any that will take me.\n\nPRIEST.\n\nYou have given an offering, stranger; you may pray if you will.\n\nORESTES.\n\nI--to Thetis! No! Yet perhaps---- [_Going up to altar._] Hail, Thetis! I\nhave given thee an offering of many oxen's price, and many more will I\ngive if thou hinder me not of my desires.\n\nALCIMEDON.\n\nA vile prayer, a very dangerous prayer! He might as well have prayed\nsilently. I will not take the man; the Priest may take him.\n\n     [_The_ PRIEST _goes towards_ ORESTES.\n\nORESTES.\n\n[_Looking about and scanning the faces._] I will be this bondwoman's\nguest.\n\nANDROMACHE.\n\nSo be it, stranger. [_The_ PRIEST _moves anxiously towards_ ORESTES.]\nAnd perchance the Priest will give you shelter till my work is done.\n\nPRIEST.\n\nAy, come with me. When the King returns, it were meeter that he should\ntake you. [_Aside to_ ORESTES.] Beware, stranger! It is the Phrygian\nwoman.\n\nORESTES.\n\n[_Apart to_ PRIEST.] She is over-wise, methinks; but not evil. I fear\nher not. [_Coming back as though on impulse._] I give you my hand, wife\nof Hector!\n\nANDROMACHE.\n\nIt is well, my guest. [_Taking his hand._\n\nPRIEST.\n\nTill the King returns!\n\n     [_Exeunt_ PRIEST _and_ ORESTES R.\n\nALCIMEDON.\n\n[_As_ ANDROMACHE _and the women draw water at the well_.] Lazy hounds,\nto let Hector's wife draw water! Fill her pails for her, little foxes!\n\nFIRST MAID.\n\nBetter _she_ fill mine! Perhaps she knows charms for filling them.\n\nANDROMACHE.\n\nIt is well, fellow slave. Let our work be even.\n\n     _Enter, by the path from the Castle_, HERMIONE, _with two\n     attendants carrying libations. She does not notice the slaves._\n\nALCIMEDON.\n\nGreeting, O Queen.\n\nHERMIONE.\n\nGreeting, old man. [_Going up to the altar._] Hail, Thetis, and have\njoy! Accept this wine and the blood of an ewe with two lambs that I\nbring to thee; and take off from me, I beseech---- [_She stops, looks\nround, and sees_ ANDROMACHE, _on whom she turns with vehemence_.] You?\n\n     [_Flings out the blood on the ground._\n\nALCIMEDON.\n\nQueen, you have flung out the blood upon the ground!\n\nHERMIONE.\n\nWhat would my sacrifice profit, with that woman's eyes upon me? [_To_\nANDROMACHE.] Get you back to the castle! Is the water not drawn yet?\n\nANDROMACHE.\n\nI go, O Queen!\n\nALCIMEDON.\n\nYou are over-proud, my Queen, over-proud.\n\nHERMIONE.\n\nMay a Queen in Phthia not give commands to her own slaves?\n\nMAID.\n\n[_At the shrine._] Holy Aphrodite! some one has put gold upon the\nshrine!\n\nALCIMEDON.\n\n'Twas a stranger that the Priest has taken in. Have a care: the dog laid\na curse on any who should move it.\n\nHERMIONE.\n\nA stranger! He comes from the South, then; from Athens, or Argos, or\nMycenae----\n\nALCIMEDON.\n\nNo, Queen, he is only an Acarnanian. But belike he has journeyed to the\nSouth.\n\nHERMIONE.\n\nThat is no Acarnanian gold! [_Taking it up._] See you the sea-beast\nwrought on it, with many feet?\n\n     [_To_ MAID.\n\nMAID.\n\nYes, but the curse, Queen----\n\nHERMIONE.\n\n[_Not heeding her._] It brings my home back to me. In Lacedaemon we all\nwore chains of gold about our necks.\n\nMAID.\n\nQueen, the man laid a curse upon it!\n\nHERMIONE.\n\n[_Putting it back._] I meant no evil; and that dear gold of the South\nwill never hurt me---- In Agamemnon's palace the men had gold in their\narmour, and even in the blades of their swords! And the gold was wrought\ninto lions and wild bulls and trees, and strange sea-beasts like this.\n\nALCIMEDON.\n\nA plain haft and a plain blade cuts the steadiest.\n\nHERMIONE.\n\n[_Angrily._] Bah! You deem because you are rude you are valiant,\nAlcimedon! The soldiers of the South were as brave as you.\n\nALCIMEDON.\n\n[_Turning away towards the maidens._] Let not Andromache draw the water,\njades!\n\nHERMIONE.\n\nWill you not draw for her yourself, old man?\n\nALCIMEDON.\n\n_I_ draw water! [_Drawing himself up in indignation._] By Hermes! I care\nnot for the tongue of a barren woman.\n\n     [_Voices and the loud talk of huntsmen are heard outside._\n\nVOICE OF MOLOSSUS.\n\nHo! Mother, Mother!\n\nMAID.\n\n[_Looking._] It is Molossus! And the King's huntsmen. They are coming up\nthe path.\n\nALCIMEDON.\n\nAlready!\n\nHERMIONE.\n\n[_To_ ANDROMACHE, _who has stopped_.] Why do you wait? Have I not bidden\nyou back to the castle? And when the hall is swept, go to your own\nhouse. Come not up to trouble the King till that web is finished.\n\nANDROMACHE.\n\n[_Turning again and moving away._] I go, O Queen.\n\nVOICE OF PYRRHUS.\n\n[_Outside._] Ho, wife of Hector, mother of Molossus! Stay, and look at\nhim.\n\n     MOLOSSUS _and_ PYRRHUS _enter, with some spearmen_; PYRRHUS _has\n     his arm on the neck of_ MOLOSSUS.\n\nMOLOSSUS.\n\n[_Running forward._] Mother, look! I have slain a man!\n\nPYRRHUS.\n\nHe has slain his first man.\n\n     [MOLOSSUS _holds up his hands, the palms of which are smeared with\n     blood_.\n\nMOLOSSUS.\n\nSee, mother; they have smeared me with his blood!\n\nHERMIONE.\n\n[_Holding aloof._] Keep away from the altar, with foul hands!\n\nANDROMACHE.\n\n[_To_ PYRRHUS, _with reproach, while she embraces_ MOLOSSUS.] You said\nyou would take him to no battles, only to hunting.\n\nPYRRHUS.\n\n[_Cheerily._] By Hermes, it was he who made the battle! I meant nothing\nbut hunting.\n\nALCIMEDON.\n\nWell done, boy! A true prince, a true prince!\n\nPYRRHUS.\n\nWe had driven the deer down over the mountains and we came on a herd of\nthe Napaeans' cattle grazing, right up on the moors.\n\nANDROMACHE.\n\nYou promised me you would raid no cattle with him.\n\nPYRRHUS.\n\nBy Hermes! They _came_ to us! And the herd-boy never saw us; he was\nsitting on a stone in the sun, and thinking of nothing. And even then I\nwould not raid the cattle. When suddenly up jumped the herd-boy and\nlooked at us, with his mouth open. And before he knew who we were, I\nheard a twang!--and there he was with an arrow in his neck!\n\n     [_Laughs._\n\nMOLOSSUS.\n\nRight through his throat, mother! He was looking up. [_Imitating the\nattitude._] And I have got a pipe he was plaiting. It wasn't finished,\nbut it blows.\n\n     [_He shows a pipe made of reeds._\n\nPYRRHUS.\n\nYou can play better things than pipes, my boy. So we ran down and cut\noff the cattle; and I have given them to Molossus for his own herd.\n\nMOLOSSUS.\n\nAnd father put the blood on my hands himself.\n\nPYRRHUS.\n\nI will do more for you than that, my firstborn.\n\nHERMIONE.\n\n[_Who has kept back, by the altar._] Take up your pitcher, and begone,\nwoman!\n\nPYRRHUS.\n\n[_Turning upon_ HERMIONE.] Now, by Peleus, daughter of Helen, what would\nyou?\n\nHERMIONE.\n\nThat when my slave is gone you may give me greeting.\n\nPYRRHUS.\n\nI give you greeting. But I praise not your greeting to me.\n\nHERMIONE.\n\nIf I send my women to draw water at sunrise, shall the water not be back\nwhen the shadows are thus?\n\n     [_Pointing to shadows._\n\nPYRRHUS.\n\nThere be other women meeter to draw water than Hector's wife. I tell you\nthere is no man on this earth I should so joy to have slain as Hector.\n\nHERMIONE.\n\nIf he had witchwork to help him, he may have been a deadly fighter.\n\nANDROMACHE.\n\n[_To_ PYRRHUS, _who has laid his hand on her shoulder_.] Nay, master,\nthe hall must be made ready.\n\nPYRRHUS.\n\nWell, take our boy, and be with him at the castle when I come. Stay,\nthink of a boon to ask of me in return for the day's good work. And\nmake it a rich boon; I shall not stint you.\n\nANDROMACHE.\n\nI know it now; but I fear to anger my lord.\n\nPYRRHUS.\n\nAsk on; yet I would not have you ask for freedom from me.\n\nANDROMACHE.\n\nMy master, what could I do now with freedom? Only suffer Molossus to\nmake atonement to the Napaeans for the man he slew. He may give back the\noxen, and I will add of my own.\n\nPYRRHUS.\n\n[_Displeased._] Atonement! Who are the Napaeans to seek atonement from\nme?\n\nANDROMACHE.\n\nNay, my lord, it was scarce a righteous slaying.\n\nPYRRHUS.\n\nNot righteous! [_Scornfully._] Then perchance you would have me cut off\nthe herd-boy's hands and feet, for fear his ghost should come after us?\nNot righteous! What is it you fear?\n\nANDROMACHE.\n\n[_Putting her hand on_ MOLOSSUS' _shoulder_.] He is but a boy, my lord!\nAnd if there is no atonement, they will watch day and night to slay him.\n\nMOLOSSUS.\n\nMother, I fear them not!\n\nANDROMACHE.\n\nThey will raid us again----\n\nPYRRHUS.\n\nI can do them twice and four times the hurt they can do me.\n\nANDROMACHE.\n\nThey cannot hurt _us_ in our castle, but they can burn the villages in\nthe plain and make dearth and famine.\n\nMOLOSSUS.\n\nOh, Mother, why should I make atonement for my first man?\n\nPYRRHUS.\n\nIt was only a boy, too. I cannot ask forgiveness for one boy!\n\nANDROMACHE.\n\nIt will cost little. I have three carpets of Sidon work----\n\nPYRRHUS.\n\nAnd the oxen! I have given them to the lad; and one is already eaten.\nWell, well, it is for the lad to say if he will give back his oxen and\nask for pardon.\n\nHERMIONE.\n\n[_With a ring of emotion in her voice._] Shall my chests be made empty\nbecause your slave's child is afraid?\n\nMOLOSSUS.\n\nI am not afraid. I will never atone!\n\nPYRRHUS.\n\n[_To_ HERMIONE.] Peace, O Queen! [_To_ ANDROMACHE.] Go! If Molossus\nwills, he can make his atonement. On to the castle, men!\n\n     [_Exeunt spearmen._\n\nANDROMACHE.\n\n[_Turning as she goes off._] Be not wroth, my King. Your hall would be\nvery desolate if the boy were slain. [_Exeunt_ ANDROMACHE _and_\nMOLOSSUS.\n\nHERMIONE.\n\nThere is another atonement should come first, if you must humble\nyourself.\n\nPYRRHUS.\n\n[_Stopping as he is going off._] What other?\n\nHERMIONE.\n\nAtone to Orestes, Agamemnon's son, that you stole away his bride!\n\nPYRRHUS.\n\n[_Firing up and laying his hand on his dagger._] Daughter of a dog! I\nstole no man's bride.\n\nHERMIONE.\n\nWas I not vowed and sworn to Orestes?\n\nPYRRHUS.\n\nYour father vowed you, not I. What is it to me if your father broke his\noaths?\n\nHERMIONE.\n\nYou helped him and bribed him to break them. The wrath of the Broken\nOath is on both of you!\n\nPYRRHUS.\n\nYou are mad, woman. Orestes had murdered his mother, and the Spirits\nwithout Name haunted him day and night----\n\nHERMIONE.\n\nMy father knew that when he betrothed me. He could be purified.\n\nPYRRHUS.\n\n[_Scornfully._] Purified? For slaying his mother?\n\nHERMIONE.\n\nAnd you, you dared not enter the land while Agamemnon's son was there;\nyou waited till----\n\nPYRRHUS.\n\n'Twas your father cozened Orestes away. How should I fear Agamemnon's\nson? Am I not the son of Achilles?\n\nHERMIONE.\n\nAnd was Achilles a better man than Agamemnon?\n\nPYRRHUS.\n\nAll the world knows he was.\n\nHERMIONE.\n\nThen why did all the world choose Agamemnon to be their king?\n\nPYRRHUS.\n\nBah! Very feeble men may be kings.\n\nHERMIONE.\n\nThey may, in Phthia; and beggarly men, and savage, and witch-ridden, and\nmakers of atonement, and stealers of wives!\n\nPYRRHUS.\n\nBy Peleus! if I stole you, you were willing. 'Tis yourself you mark with\na dog's name, Helen's daughter!\n\nHERMIONE.\n\nGod be witness, willing I never was! Though I dreamed not then that I\nshould come to a beggared land and the house of a master who hated me!\n\n     [_Flings herself down by the altar, hidden from the back of the\n     stage by the trees._\n\nPYRRHUS.\n\nBy Thetis, woman, you are bewitched!\n\nHERMIONE.\n\n[_With a cry._] Bewitched! Have I not said it?\n\n     _Enter from_ R. _back_, PRIEST _and_ ORESTES.\n\nPRIEST.\n\n[_To_ ORESTES.] Here is the King himself! [_To_ PYRRHUS.] Son of\nAchilles, I bring you this stranger, whom your handmaid, Andromache,\ncommended to my care.\n\nPYRRHUS.\n\nWhence comes he, and what seeks he?\n\nPRIEST.\n\nFrom Acarnania, banished for the slaying of a man.\n\nPYRRHUS.\n\nHe seeks not purification?\n\nORESTES.\n\nThe blood is faded long ago from my hand. I seek but to rest a while at\nyour castle; I will give payment either in battle with your enemies, or\nby tidings and songs from beyond Parnassus and the Waters of Pelops.\n\n     [HERMIONE _looks up in amazement at the voice, utters a stifled\n     cry, and peers round_.\n\nPYRRHUS.\n\nIt is well, stranger. Tidings are good in peace; and if war comes, an\nexile for manslaying may well be worth the bread he eats.\n\nORESTES.\n\nOthers know if I am skilled in war. I know only that my life is little\nworth to me, and I care not much to save it.\n\nPYRRHUS.\n\nA good word, Sir Guest, and worthy of the roof of Achilles. We give you\ngreeting, my Queen and I. [_Shakes his hand, and looks round for_\nHERMIONE.] Daughter of Helen, have you not seen our guest?\n\nHERMIONE.\n\n[_In a startled tone._] Seen him? What do you mean, my lord?\n\nORESTES.\n\nNay, though methinks I have heard the Queen's praises till it is almost\nas though I knew her. For the women of the South speak daily of Helen's\ndaughter, and the bards and kings' sons will never forget her.\n\nHERMIONE.\n\n[_Mastering her agitation with difficulty._] You know the land of\nPelops, stranger? It is a fair land.\n\nORESTES.\n\nOnce it was far the fairest upon earth. But now its pride is brought\ndown, and that which made it beautiful is departed. [_He looks steadily\nat her._\n\nPYRRHUS.\n\nAy, they have had their troubles in the South. Howbeit, with us you may\nstay in peace as long as your pleasure is. Daughter of Helen, give your\nhand to our guest, and guide him to the castle.\n\nHERMIONE.\n\n[_Moving her hand forward, then drawing back._] Let another guide him. I\nhave yet a prayer unspoken, and my offering is poured.\n\nPYRRHUS.\n\n[_Displeased._] Be not vexed, stranger. Who can tell the prayers of a\nchildless woman, save that they change and are very many? Come with me,\nand to-morrow we will ask your name and race.\n\n     [_Exeunt_ PYRRHUS _and_ ORESTES, L. _The_ PRIEST _looks to the\n     niches in the rock to see the offerings_. HERMIONE _falls on her\n     knees at the altar, and prays silently_.\n\n\nEND OF THE FIRST ACT.\n\n\n\n\nTHE SECOND ACT\n\n\nSCENE: _The Hall of_ PYRRHUS' _Castle, a rude stone building, with\nspears, swords, and armour hanging on the walls. A doorway in the back\nwall leads to the courtyard. At the extreme right is a fire burning;\nnear it are two high seats for the King and Queen._\n\n_On a bench near the door are_ ANDROMACHE _and_ MOLOSSUS _seated; on the\nfloor near them is a small pile of carpets and tapestries, and a bowl\nwith some metal ornaments and small weapons in it_.\n\nANDROMACHE.\n\nBut when you saw him fall, and saw the pain in his face, did it give you\nno grief?\n\nMOLOSSUS.\n\nA little, it may be. Not more than when I struck my first deer. A child\nmight cry over the ox they are flaying now in the yard.\n\nANDROMACHE.\n\nAnd a grown man, too, if it availed anything.\n\nMOLOSSUS.\n\nMother, you are but a woman, and I am getting to be a man; I must grow\npast all that and throw it behind me.\n\n     _Enter_ ORESTES _unnoticed: he stands in the doorway, leaning\n     against a pillar_.\n\nANDROMACHE.\n\nMay your eyes never see half the pain mine have seen! I grew past\nfeeling for it, too, long, long ago. I saw men writhe and bite the dust,\nwithout caring for them or counting them. They were so many that they\nwere all confused, and the noise of their anguish was like the crying of\ncranes far off; there was no one voice in it, and no meaning. And then,\nas it went on growing, and the sons of Priam died about me and the folk\nstarved, and my husband, Hector, was slain with torment, all the voices\ngathered again together and seemed as one voice, that cried to my heart\nso that it understood.\n\nMOLOSSUS.\n\nWhat did it say, mother?\n\nANDROMACHE.\n\nIt spoke in a language that you know not, my son.\n\nMOLOSSUS.\n\nDid it speak Phrygian?\n\nANDROMACHE.\n\nIt spoke the language of old, old men, and those whose gods have\ndeserted them.\n\n     [ORESTES _moves forward as though to speak, but checks himself_.\n\nMOLOSSUS.\n\nBut you could tell me what it said.\n\nANDROMACHE.\n\n[_Looking at him, and not answering._] Why did you ever _wish_ to kill\nthat herd-boy?\n\nMOLOSSUS.\n\nWe had taken their cattle before. They always fight us.\n\nANDROMACHE.\n\nWould it not be better that they should live at peace with you?\n\nMOLOSSUS.\n\nWhy should I fear their blood-feud? I would sooner be slain than ask\nfavours of them. My father would avenge me well!\n\nANDROMACHE.\n\nAnd who will be the happier? Listen. Can you hear that little beating\nsound--down seaward, away from the sun?\n\nMOLOSSUS.\n\nIt is the water lapping against the rocks.\n\nANDROMACHE.\n\nThere is a sound like that in the language I told you of. Old, old men,\nand those whose gods have deserted them, hear it in their hearts--the\nsound of all the blood that men have spilt and the tears they have shed,\nlapping against great rocks, in shadow, away from the sun.\n\nMOLOSSUS.\n\nBut, mother, no warrior hears any sound like that.\n\nANDROMACHE.\n\nHector learnt to hear it before he died.\n\nORESTES.\n\n[_Coming forward._] Before he died! Is that its meaning?\n\nANDROMACHE.\n\nThe stranger! [_Turning._\n\nORESTES.\n\nDoes it mean death, that sound?\n\nANDROMACHE.\n\nNay, methinks a man hears it when he has suffered enough, if he has the\nright ear to hear it.\n\nORESTES.\n\nBut it is then that death should come, when a man has suffered enough.\n\nANDROMACHE.\n\nNay, death should not come for suffering. Death should come when there\nis no hope left for any one thing in the world.\n\nORESTES.\n\n[_Broodingly._] One thing!\n\nMOLOSSUS.\n\nBut, Mother, they called Hector \"Slayer of Men.\" I want first to slay\nmany, many men, and many wild beasts, and burn a town, that people may\nfear me, and call me \"Slayer of Men.\" And after that--after that, I will\nbe merciful, and slay only those I hate.\n\nANDROMACHE.\n\nShall you hate men still?\n\nMOLOSSUS.\n\nIf they wrong me! [ANDROMACHE _smiles_.] Shall I not hate them that\nwrong me? Do you not yourself?\n\nANDROMACHE.\n\nLight of my age, if I hated, how should I live? There are three living\nsouls that I love--you and your father and old Alcimus. And if I hated,\nwhom should I hate more bitterly?\n\nMOLOSSUS.\n\nI know my father was your enemy once. But what did old Alcimus?\n\nANDROMACHE.\n\nHe was one of the three who slew my little child.\n\nMOLOSSUS.\n\nAstyanax? [_She nods._] I wish Astyanax were alive, mother. I would take\nhim hunting.--He would have no share, would he, in my heritage?\n\nANDROMACHE.\n\nI know nothing of that.\n\nMOLOSSUS.\n\nAnd did you never hate them--not at the time?\n\nANDROMACHE.\n\n[_Looking at him, then passing her hand across her face._] Oh yes, I\nhated them!\n\nMOLOSSUS.\n\nBut not me! I never did much harm to you.\n\nANDROMACHE.\n\nSome day perhaps you will hurt me worse than any of them; but I shall\nnot hate you.\n\nMOLOSSUS.\n\n[_After a pause, handling the objects in the bowl._] Well, I give you my\noath this time, Mother; but I will not atone for my next slaying.\n\n     _Enter_ ALCIMEDON _and Attendants_.\n\nALCIMEDON.\n\nThe bull is finished, and a fine beast he was. [_Seeing the bowl._] What\nis this?\n\nMOLOSSUS.\n\n[_Shamefaced._] Nothing. Some pieces of mother's old stores.\n\nANDROMACHE.\n\nThe price for the blood of the herd-boy.\n\nMOLOSSUS.\n\nShe made me vow it!\n\nALCIMEDON.\n\nThe atonement? That is right. I feared that Pyrrhus would be too proud\nto pay it.\n\nMOLOSSUS.\n\nYou need not think that _I_ wanted him to pay it!\n\nALCIMEDON.\n\nH'm! That was how _I_ talked once, before I knew what a blood-feud was.\nAnd now I would pay a dead man's weight in silver to be clear of one.\nOf course, with a stranger it is different, or a man who has no kin.\n[_Examining the stores._] No need to pay too much, though. It was a\nlittle boy, they tell me, and poorly clad.\n\nMOLOSSUS.\n\n[_Almost crying._] He was a big boy!--I hate the Napaeans, and I will\nslay more of them!\n\nALCIMEDON.\n\nThere are the oxen as well. We have killed two; but sorry beasts, both,\nsorry beasts. Any two calves will more than make up for them.\n\nMOLOSSUS.\n\nBut I hate them!\n\nALCIMEDON.\n\nHate them your fill; but make up the feud: we must not have Pyrrhus left\nchildless.\n\nMOLOSSUS.\n\nWhat is it to me if Pyrrhus is childless? He can avenge his children.\n\nALCIMEDON.\n\nPeace is better.\n\nMOLOSSUS.\n\n[_Contemptuously._] Peace!\n\nORESTES.\n\nAnd what is the road to peace? The hate must eat itself out, till it\nstays for weariness.\n\nALCIMEDON.\n\nA long road, stranger, too long and too rough to the feet. We want peace\n_now_!\n\nORESTES.\n\nHow can you get peace now, when the blood is still wet? He may give all\nhis silver and his kine, but he will hate the men whose blood he has\ndrunk; and though they swear by all the gods of their valley, they will\nhate him. And hate will out, in time, one way or another.\n\nMOLOSSUS.\n\nIf ever they swerve a hair's breadth from their oaths----\n\nALCIMEDON.\n\nAnd is there to be no peace at all?\n\nORESTES.\n\nPeace for this one--[_touching_ MOLOSSUS]--when Pyrrhus is childless, or\nwhen----\n\nALCIMEDON.\n\nYour words on your own head!\n\nORESTES.\n\n----when the last of the Napaeans has gone from the earth.\n\nANDROMACHE.\n\nNay; no peace then.\n\nORESTES.\n\nNot for the dead?\n\nANDROMACHE.\n\nDo not men see the dead roaming the world, and hear them call for blood?\n\nORESTES.\n\n[_Excitedly._] How know _you_, woman, that the Dead call for blood?\n[_Gloomily again._] When the whole of a race is gone there may perhaps\nbe peace.\n\nANDROMACHE.\n\nBut the whole of a race is never gone. Even from Troy there are men\nescaped who may make cities and seek for vengeance again. And if you\nblot out all the Napaeans, there are those beyond the Napaeans who will\nhate you for that very thing. Make peace, swiftly, before you die, my\nson, lest there be no peace for ever and ever.\n\n     _Enter_ HERMIONE, _with_ PRIEST _of Thetis and Attendants; she is\n     richly dressed, and her eyes bright and anxious. She passes up to\n     the two high seats, and takes one. She talks with her_ MAIDS, _and_\n     ALCIMEDON _goes over to her_.\n\nORESTES.\n\n[_Detaching another pendant from his chain._] Woman, you can see men's\nhearts, and you talk not as these talk. Behold, there is no peace, for\npeace is nothing; there is either Love or Hate. [_Throwing pendant into\nthe bowl._] If gold can buy love where hate is, put that to the\nblood-gift!\n\nHERMIONE.\n\n[_To_ ORESTES, _across the hall_.] Sir Stranger, this Priest tells me\nyou are skilled as a bard.\n\nORESTES.\n\nI have little skill in music, but I have journeyed much.\n\nHERMIONE.\n\nYou can tell us strange tales of your voyages?\n\nORESTES.\n\nNot of my own. But I was telling this boy a tale even now.\n\nHERMIONE.\n\nNay, no boys' tales! Andromache, take your son and help with the ox\nflesh. [_To_ ORESTES.] And sit not so far off, among the slaves' seats.\nTell us some _man's_ story.\n\nORESTES.\n\n[_Approaching, but bringing_ MOLOSSUS _with him, while_ ANDROMACHE _goes\nout_.] Nay, I will keep the boy. It is a boy's tale, this, and of little\nmeaning. But seeing I have begun---- [_To_ MOLOSSUS.] Have you heard of\na man that once had a great feud--Orestes, Agamemnon's son?\n\nMOLOSSUS.\n\nWho slew his mother, and was driven by----\n\nPRIEST.\n\nNay, name them not, child, name not those Holy Ones.\n\nALCIMEDON.\n\nWe love not his name in this house, stranger. Have you no other tale?\n\nHERMIONE.\n\n[_Controlling her excitement._] Nay, what hurt is his name? It is only\nsome boy's tale.\n\nORESTES.\n\nHe took on him a great feud, greater than he knew. For his father called\nfrom the dead for vengeance on the woman who had murdered him. And the\ngods called, too, and put voices always about him calling for blood. And\nthen they betrayed him!\n\nMOLOSSUS.\n\nDid his father betray him, too?\n\nORESTES.\n\nNay, it may be that the voice was not his father's, after all. But the\ngods----\n\nPRIEST.\n\nSee that your tongue offend not, stranger!\n\nORESTES.\n\nSo be it. Well, in the end he recked not of the gods. He cared not how\nsore they hated him, and cared not if he lived or died.\n\nMOLOSSUS.\n\nAnd what did he do?\n\nORESTES.\n\nThis is the last story I heard of him, from a Chalcidian man who had\nbeen in Sicily.\n\nHERMIONE.\n\nHad he gone so far away?\n\nORESTES.\n\nBeyond the end of Sicily to a kingdom of the Iberians. For he vowed that\nhe would be like Paris, and win the most beautiful of all women for his\nwife; for, you must know, the gods had marred all the world for him, and\nmade it all as ashes in his mouth, except beauty. For beauty is\nimmortal, like themselves; and they cannot hurt it. So he sought and\nquestioned where that woman might be; and men said she was queen of a\nland among the Iberians.\n\nHERMIONE.\n\n[_Half divining his meaning._] Had he seen her himself?\n\nORESTES.\n\nAy, long ago, they said.\n\nHERMIONE.\n\nAnd did he too deem her so fair?\n\nORESTES.\n\n[_Looking full at her._] More beautiful than the flowers and the\nsunlight, so that in dreams her eyes haunted him.\n\nMOLOSSUS.\n\nWell, and what did he do?\n\nORESTES.\n\nHe took his ship, with a hundred men well armed, and hid them in a bay\nof Iberia. And he went up alone to the king's castle and saw the woman.\nFor he was not sure if she was really so beautiful, and wanted to see\nher again very close. So he stayed in the king's house and made a plot\nto bear her away.\n\nMOLOSSUS.\n\nBut what happened?\n\nORESTES.\n\nI said it was but a boy's story. The Chalcidian knew not what had\nhappened. Some said he won the queen to his ship, and fled away,\nwandering; and some said she told the king of his plotting, and they\nslew him there in the banquet hall. [_A slight pause._] So perchance\neven Orestes has found his peace; or, perchance he is still an outcast\nman, with a new feud following him.\n\nMOLOSSUS.\n\nBut I wish I knew.\n\nORESTES.\n\nOh, 'tis a foolish story, without an ending.\n\nHERMIONE.\n\n[_Breaking out from her suspense; recklessly._] And a poor fool, your\nOrestes, whatever befell!\n\nORESTES.\n\nHow so? What if he won the woman?\n\nHERMIONE.\n\nHe only fled on the seas with her, an exiled man, with no comfort. Could\nhe not get him a kingdom?\n\nORESTES.\n\nBelike he cared not for a little kingdom, being once robbed of his own\ngreat kingdom.\n\nHERMIONE.\n\nIf a high seat is empty, shall not a great king's son be bold to sit on\nit? Were his men good soldiers of Mycenae?\n\nORESTES.\n\nSome, of Mycenae, who had sacked Troy; some, pirates he had got in his\nvoyaging; all good fighters!\n\nHERMIONE.\n\nCould he not slay that Iberian in his halls, and sit upon his seat?\n\nALCIMEDON.\n\nBy Thetis! that would have been a gallant deed.\n\nPRIEST.\n\nUnrighteous, very unrighteous; but doubtless the Iberian would have\nsinned against some god!\n\nORESTES.\n\nThe Iberians may be brave fighters; I know not. And he knew of none to\nhelp him.\n\nALCIMEDON.\n\nA hundred good Phthians might have tried it.\n\nHERMIONE.\n\nThe queen might have had her own friends who would fight for her.\n\nALCIMEDON.\n\nA very foul deed, very foul; but a gallant one! And if she would leave\nher lord--the hound!--she might well help to slay him!\n\nORESTES.\n\nHe did not seek her for her righteousness; he sought her because her\nbeauty spoke like a god to him!\n\n     [_A moment's pause. A shout of several voices heard in the Court._\n\nALCIMEDON.\n\nWhat is that shouting?\n\n     [_Moves towards door, with_ MOLOSSUS; _the_ PRIEST _follows_.\n\nHERMIONE.\n\nI heard the King's voice in it. [_To her_ MAIDS.] Go, quick. See what\nhas happened. [_They also go towards the door, leaving_ HERMIONE _and_\nORESTES _alone. An instant of silence; then she makes a quick movement\nto him._] Oh, speak!\n\nORESTES.\n\nEither I will take you this night or I will be slain here in the hall!\n\nHERMIONE.\n\nOh, take me, take me! I am half dead with wearying!\n\nORESTES.\n\nYou shall weary no more. Go forth alone at midnight to the altar of\nThetis----\n\nHERMIONE.\n\nThe altar of Thetis--by night! [_She shows fear._\n\nORESTES.\n\nWhat do you fear? [HERMIONE _shudders, but does not answer_.] You dare\nnot? Then, let it end the other way!\n\nHERMIONE.\n\nDare you slay _him_?\n\nORESTES.\n\nThat is no great thing!\n\nHERMIONE.\n\nAnd the witch, and the witch-child?\n\n     [_With frightened ferocity._\n\nORESTES.\n\nSlay _her_?\n\nHERMIONE.\n\nYou will not? You will not? Oh, then, I dare not go to you!\n\n     [ORESTES _looks at her with surprise and some repulsion; the women\n     and_ ALCIMUS _return, followed by_ PYRRHUS _and_ MOLOSSUS, _with\n     some armour: after them_ ANDROMACHE _and some retainers_.\n\nMAID.\n\nA gift for Molossus! The King has given him a helmet and shield and\nspear!\n\nMOLOSSUS.\n\nAnd greaves, too, with bronze rims!\n\nPYRRHUS.\n\nNot yet, my boy! [_As_ MOLOSSUS _would fit a greave on_.] Bad luck\nbefore a banquet.\n\nALCIMUS.\n\nWait till the morning, my lad!\n\nPYRRHUS.\n\n[_With sudden displeasure, seeing the blood-gifts._] What mean all these\ncarpets, and the bowl yonder?\n\nANDROMACHE.\n\nThey are gifts for the atonement.\n\nPYRRHUS.\n\nAtonement--to those dogs!\n\nANDROMACHE.\n\nMy King, it was the boon you granted me.\n\nPYRRHUS.\n\n[_Turning towards_ MOLOSSUS.] The boy never consented!\n\nMOLOSSUS.\n\nI--verily I liked it not--but I gave my word. Mother made me.\n\nPYRRHUS.\n\nYou have just slain a man, and a woman can frighten you to promising\nyour own dishonour?\n\nMOLOSSUS.\n\nShe did not frighten me; she--I know not how she did it!\n\nHERMIONE.\n\n[_With a laugh._] Others can guess well enough how she did it!\n\nFIRST MAID.\n\n[_Muttering._] Sorceress!\n\nSECOND MAID.\n\n[_The same._] Phrygian witch!\n\nALCIMUS.\n\nHold your peace, little prating foxes!\n\nFIRST MAID.\n\nOh, we all know she has witched old Alcimedon, long ago.\n\nMOLOSSUS.\n\n[_Half crying, as_ PYRRHUS _stands gloomily silent_.] I would not make\natonement to them, Father, for all the world!\n\nPYRRHUS.\n\nShe has your word now, little fool; and mine likewise.--By the gods,\nwoman, you have got your will, and shamed me in the eyes of all men.\n\nANDROMACHE.\n\nMaster, your honour is more to me than mine own. This thing shames you\nnot; even Alcimedon deemed it wise and honourable.\n\nALCIMUS.\n\nThe boy is very young; if he were a man, belike----\n\nHERMIONE.\n\nIs Alcimedon the judge of his lord's honour?\n\nANDROMACHE.\n\nBut how should I ever seek to hurt your honour? Why should I wish it?\n\nPRIEST.\n\n[_As_ PYRRHUS _goes silently back to the throne_.] A barbarian woman\nnever forgets a hurt.\n\nFIRST MAID.\n\n'Tis the spite of a conquered Phrygian.\n\nHERMIONE.\n\nLet her be, King! She is thinking ever of her Hector, and Astyanax whom\nyou slew!\n\nANDROMACHE.\n\nMy lord----\n\nPYRRHUS.\n\nPeace, peace! She knows well enough that Hector is dead--and beyond the\nseas too. Though I were shamed to the dirt in mine own hall, Hector\nwould not hear of it!\n\nHERMIONE.\n\nAre you sure?\n\nPRIEST.\n\nHector himself is buried beyond the seas, but his ghost may have\nfollowed your ships to Phthia. [_Coming up to the throne._] Yea, son of\nAchilles, though you like not my counsel, there be witches in Phrygia\nthat can wake the dead, and tell them of shame come to their enemies, or\nof----\n\nALCIMUS.\n\nThere be none such in Phthia, old man! And if the dead _should_ wake,\nyour prating would even set them to sleep again.\n\n     [_Laughter, in which_ PYRRHUS _slightly joins_.\n\nPYRRHUS.\n\n'Tis well said, Alcimedon! These women and priests!\n\nPRIEST.\n\nNay, but I _will_ speak!\n\n     [_Talks to_ PYRRHUS, _round whom a group gathers, leaving_\n     ANDROMACHE _alone, and_ ORESTES _near_ ALCIMEDON.\n\nORESTES.\n\n[_Apart to_ ALCIMEDON.] Old man, you have seen Helen. Was she more\nbeautiful than your Queen?\n\nALCIMUS.\n\n[_Looking towards_ HERMIONE, _then brightening_.] Nay, this is a woman\nlike another; Helen was goddesslike, deathless and ageless for ever!\n\nORESTES.\n\n[_To himself._] For Helen I could have done it! Alcimedon, did yonder\nwoman ever do Helen any great wrong, anything meet for vengeance?\n\nALCIMUS.\n\nAndromache? Why, 'twas Helen did _her_ all the wrong!\n\nORESTES.\n\nEven so; and therefore she must have hated her. Did she never seek,\nthink you, to have Helen slain?\n\nALCIMUS.\n\nI trow not! Why, she gave her home and shelter when the folk of Troy\nsought to stone her.\n\nORESTES.\n\n[_Brooding._] If she had ever plotted against Helen, I could have done\nit.\n\nPYRRHUS.\n\n[_Shaking off the_ PRIEST.] Enough, enough!--Is your stranger in the\nhall, Andromache?\n\nANDROMACHE.\n\nHe is here, my lord; a man of good counsel, methinks, and like to be\nfaithful to his guest-oath.\n\nPYRRHUS.\n\nHe is happily come to a night of festival.--Stranger, you stand far from\nthe fire.\n\n     [ORESTES _and_ HERMIONE _have been trying to read one another's\n     faces. Here_ ORESTES _turns bitterly, looks to the suits of armour\n     on the wall, and chooses a seat near one_.\n\nORESTES.\n\nNay, I have a good seat.\n\nPYRRHUS.\n\nWe will call the bard and be merry.\n\nORESTES.\n\n[_Gloomily._] I have heard your bard but now.\n\nPRIEST.\n\nThe stranger makes minstrelsy himself, as many chieftains may.\n\nORESTES.\n\nAy, give me a goblet, and I will sing. I am but a rude singer, but my\nsongs may perchance be new.\n\nPYRRHUS.\n\nTake him the wine. [_They bring wine and a lyre._\n\nORESTES.\n\nThere are two songs running in my ears this hour past; and I know not\nfully even yet which of the two is better.\n\nPYRRHUS.\n\nLet it be something joyful, meet for a feast-day.\n\nORESTES.\n\nI fancied before that one of my songs was very joyful; but now methinks\nthere is no joy at all in either.\n\nPYRRHUS.\n\n[_After looking at him questioningly for a moment._] Then give us a good\nstraight battle-piece, with no cowards in it, and no slaying by stealth.\n\nORESTES.\n\n[_Excitedly._] That it shall be! No cowards, no slaying by stealth, and\na clean, hard fight! Ay, and it is the easier too!\n\nPRIEST.\n\nYou will call first upon the god, stranger.\n\nORESTES.\n\nAssuredly; and the god can choose the end of the lay. [_Chanting._\n\n    \"Lord of Man's hope, whom no man worshippeth,\n     Heart of his fears, and burthen of his breath,\n       Queller of hate and love, hear, O Most Strong,\n     Most Wrathful and Unrighteous, hear, O Death!\"\n\nMEN-AT-ARMS.\n\nGood words! Good words!\n\nPRIEST.\n\nGod avert the omen!\n\n     [_He goes and does purifications at the fire._\n\nALCIMEDON.\n\nOn his own head! By Thetis! this stranger has run over with evil words\never since he came.\n\nPYRRHUS.\n\nChoose another song, Sir Stranger! Men like not the name of Death.\n\nORESTES.\n\nNot death! Shall I sing of women, then? They come nearest. [_Chants._\n\n    \"O Light and Shadow of all things that be,\n     O Beauty, wild with wreckage like the sea,\n       Say who shall win thee, thou without a name?\n     O Helen, Helen, who shall die for thee?\"\n\nALCIMEDON.\n\n[_Starting up._] Now, by Thetis, stranger, in shape God has made you\nkinglike, but within a very fool!\n\nHERMIONE.\n\n[_Piteously._] My mother Helen never _wished_ the men to die!\n\nORESTES.\n\nMy singing mislikes you, old man? Or is it women that like you not?\n\nPYRRHUS.\n\nStranger, some gayer song would better suit a day of rejoicing. Are the\nsongs of Acarnania all sad?\n\nORESTES.\n\nDo the men of Phthia wince at the name of death?\n\nALCIMEDON.\n\nWe have our own bard, who can sing to our liking; and his lays will tell\nwhether we fear death.\n\nORESTES.\n\nYour own bard will sing your own valour, belike? That I can ill do; for\nI have heard but little of the deeds of Pyrrhus.\n\nALCIMEDON.\n\nThe name of Troy has been heard, perchance, even in Acarnania?\n\nORESTES.\n\nBut the praise of your ancestors I could make into something--something\ngayer, you said? Was Aeacus the first of your house?\n\nALCIMEDON.\n\nAeacus, son of Zeus.\n\nORESTES.\n\n     [_Twanging the lyre carelessly and improvising._\n\n    \"Great were our sires, and feeble folk are we!\n     A strong king and a wise was Aeacus,\n     And Zeus his father helped him in his need,\n     And Pelops, Lord of Hellas, loved him well!\"\n\nALCIMEDON.\n\n[_Grumbling._] Aeacus was no vassal of Pelops!\n\nORESTES.\n\n    \"The son is weaker, weaker than the sire!\n     And Peleus he begat, a goodly king;\n     Albeit he stabbed his brother on the sand,\n     And wandered from his house, and begged, and lied,\n     And vowed a goddess held him to her breast.\"\n\n     [_Murmurs in the hall._ ORESTES _pauses and drinks_.\n\nPYRRHUS.\n\n[_Under his breath._] Does the man seek for strife?\n\nORESTES.\n\n\"The son is falser, falser than the sire!\"----\n\nHERMIONE.\n\nPerchance his wine likes him not. [_Goes down to_ ORESTES, _pours him\nfresh wine, and whispers_.] Are you mad?\n\nORESTES.\n\n[_In the same tone, looking in her face._] Knew you not that, long ago?\n\n     [_Continuing, while she goes back to the throne._\n\n    \"Achilles, Peleus' son, was swift of foot,\n     And slew by guile great Hector, and was slain.\n     And, though he hid from war in woman's weeds,\n     And though he kept his tent while others fought,\n     Yet gat he from his loins one son true born,\n     And craved not mercy, gave not gifts for blood!\"\n\nPYRRHUS.\n\nWhat does the dog mean?\n\nORESTES.\n\n\"The son is viler, viler than the sire!\"\n\nPYRRHUS.\n\n[_Starting up._] By all my fathers together, this is the end! Ho,\nMyrmidons!\n\n     [_He snatches up the spear and shield of_ MOLOSSUS. _The other men\n     take arms and growl._ HERMIONE _starts up, clasping her head with\n     both hands, and staring in terror before her_. ORESTES _stays\n     quietly seated_.\n\nANDROMACHE.\n\n[_Rushing before_ PYRRHUS.] Your oath, O King! Your pledged hand! He is\nour guest!\n\nPYRRHUS.\n\n[_Checking himself suddenly, then turning upon her._] Whose guest? You\nbrought him here--you gave the barb to his mocking! [_To the men._]\nBack, men! [_To_ ANDROMACHE.] Who taught him to revile my house?\n\nANDROMACHE.\n\nNay, I have told him nothing.\n\nMAID OF HERMIONE.\n\nHe has been talking hours and hours with the Lady Andromache.\n\nANDROMACHE.\n\nI know him not. I think he is mad.\n\nBOTH MAIDS OF HERMIONE.\n\nBewitched, perchance!\n\n     [_Murmurs of assent and dissent._\n\nPYRRHUS.\n\nPeace, hounds! [_To_ ORESTES.] Sir Guest, this woman has saved you,\nelse, oath or no oath, had I slain you where you stand!\n\nHERMIONE.\n\n[_Starting from her stupefaction._] What is that in the bowl?\n\nPYRRHUS.\n\nWhat bowl?\n\nHERMIONE.\n\nThe bowl of your blood-gifts. [_Pointing to it._\n\nPYRRHUS.\n\n_My_ blood-gifts! [_Goes to the bowl; then turns furiously on_\nANDROMACHE.] Woman, who gave you this gold?\n\nANDROMACHE.\n\nNo man gave me gold. The stranger cast a pendant of his chain to add to\nthe blood-gifts, for pity, lest the boy should be slain.\n\nPYRRHUS.\n\nPity of the boy!--'Tis a plot--a plot to shame me past all enduring!\n\nFIRST MAID.\n\nShe witched the gold out of him!\n\nPRIEST.\n\nKing, King, hear me! She has witched the Queen's womb long ago, and\nwitched the whole harvest. She has this day witched your own boy to\nconsent to your dishonour; she has witched this mad stranger to give her\ngold worth twenty oxen; yea, she has witched both him and you, so that\nhe stands up and flouts you in your hall. You are stripped naked, O\nKing, for men and dogs to walk upon, that Hector in his grave may be\nmerry!--Judgment, O son of Achilles, judgment!\n\nANDROMACHE.\n\nYea, judgment, my King! I, too, crave judgment. Only let not these be my\njudges.\n\nPRIEST.\n\nWho is she to say how she shall be judged?\n\nANDROMACHE.\n\nJudge me yourself, O Pyrrhus, son of Achilles! even now, in your anger;\nand I fear not. Oh, my King, you who know me, say if I have hated you!\n\nPRIEST.\n\nA witch has no right to speak. Let her be bound outside at the gate till\nshe is judged.\n\nALCIMEDON.\n\nNot speak? What law is this, Priest?\n\nPRIEST.\n\nNot a witch! She will bind the King's heart, so that he cannot judge\nher.\n\nPYRRHUS.\n\n[_After a moment's hesitation._] By Zeus in heaven, it is the truth! I\ncannot judge her while she stands looking at me. Begone, woman!--Nay,\ntouch her not!--Let her go to her own house.\n\nANDROMACHE.\n\nI go, my King. Yet if you slay me and to-morrow wake sorrowful, bethink\nyou there is no cure for that sorrow! [_Exit_ ANDROMACHE.\n\nMOLOSSUS.\n\nMother, I will come too!\n\nALCIMEDON.\n\n[_Stopping_ MOLOSSUS _at the door_.] To sanctuary! Not to your own\nhouse! Take sanctuary, both, at the altar of Thetis, till his fury is\nover.\n\n     [_Exit_ MOLOSSUS.\n\nORESTES.\n\n     [_Who during the interruption has mounted on the bench, taken the\n     suit of arms from the wall, and armed himself, here leaps down,\n     picks up the lyre, and sings again--_\n\n\"The son is viler, viler than the sire!\"\n\nALCIMEDON.\n\nThe man is armed!\n\nORESTES.\n\n     [_Continuing amid general confusion._\n\n    \"Achilles' son slew women and slew babes,\n     But quailed before the blood-wrath of a churl;\n     And stole another's bride; and fled, fled, fled!\"\n\n     [_Tumult in hall._\n\nALCIMEDON.\n\nDown with him!\n\nPYRRHUS.\n\nSlay him not! Break his spear and thrust him out!\n\nORESTES.\n\nWill nothing sting you? Lo, mine was the bride he stole, and from me he\nfled! For he dared not face the wrath of Orestes, nor the spear of\nAgamemnon's son.\n\nPYRRHUS.\n\nOrestes!\n\nPRIEST.\n\nIs it Orestes?\n\nALCIMEDON.\n\nHe must have men behind him! To the watch-tower quick! [_Two retainers\nrun out_, R.\n\nHERMIONE.\n\nHe lies, he lies! Do I not know Orestes?\n\nPYRRHUS.\n\nIs it not Orestes? Who is it?\n\nHERMIONE.\n\nThis is some poor half-mad, wandering minstrel-man. I know him not. He\nis not Orestes!\n\nA VOICE FROM THE WATCH-TOWER.\n\nThere are no men near the castle.\n\nALCIMEDON.\n\nWell, strike him down!\n\nHERMIONE.\n\nWhat profit to break the guest-oath for such as he? He is not Orestes!\n\nPYRRHUS.\n\nNow the Furies that haunt Orestes dog you, woman, if you lie! [ORESTES\n_gives a cry_.\n\nPRIEST.\n\nIf he be mad, it were a great sin to slay him. And the god has been\nstrong in him to-day.\n\nHERMIONE.\n\n[_After gazing at_ ORESTES _steadily_.] May the Furies that haunt\nOrestes be ever with me if I lie. [_Recklessly._] Is that enough? If you\nwould have another oath, behold, I will go this night to the altar of\nThetis----\n\nPYRRHUS.\n\nHush, Queen, lest the goddess hear!\n\nHERMIONE.\n\n[_Continuing._] And there by the altar I will swear oaths, and Thetis\nmay work upon me what she will!\n\nPYRRHUS.\n\nNay, daughter of Helen, no such wild words! I mistrust you not.--Guest,\nget you gone in peace.\n\nORESTES.\n\n[_Subdued by mention of the Furies._] I go, not fearing you, but lest I\nsee Them. I am no guest of yours. [_Throwing down armour._] Take back\nyour shield and helmet. Aught else I have had from your hands, my gold\nwill more than repay [_With horror._] Apollo, Averter of Evil! keep them\nback!--Oh, why did you not slay me while you might?\n\n     [_Exit_ ORESTES.\n\nA RETAINER.\n\nShall we not stone him from the Court?\n\nPRIEST.\n\nHe is possessed! Stricken of God! Touch him not if you fear the gods'\nanger.\n\nHERMIONE.\n\n[_Terrified, staring in front of her._] No, no, I see nothing!\n\n\nEND OF THE SECOND ACT.\n\n\n\n\nTHE THIRD ACT\n\n\nSCENE: _As in Act I. Night._ ANDROMACHE _on the steps of the altar of\nThetis, with_ MOLOSSUS _asleep. Enter from the back, one after another,\nthree armed men, with bows and arrows as well as spears; they pass\nsilently behind rocks or bushes and disappear. Enter_ ORESTES, _armed,\nby path at back: a_ MAN _comes from behind a rock to meet him_.\n\nORESTES.\n\nIs the watch set?\n\nMAN-AT-ARMS.\n\nEverywhere.\n\nORESTES.\n\nAnd the path to the ship safe?\n\nMAN-AT-ARMS.\n\nYes. We have but to wait till they are drawn off from the castle.\n\nORESTES.\n\nWhich way will Pylades lure them?\n\nMAN-AT-ARMS.\n\nHe will feign flight northwards, to leave our way clear to the ship.\n\nORESTES.\n\nGood. One thing more. If I be stricken here, waste no men's lives for\nme. Make your way back to the ship.\n\nMAN-AT-ARMS.\n\nPrince, we have our orders for this night's work from Pylades. We leave\nyou not.\n\nORESTES.\n\nNay, what worth is a dead body, or who can hurt it?\n\nMAN-AT-ARMS.\n\nHush! What was that?\n\n     [_Steals back to his ambush._ ANDROMACHE _has made some movement_.\n     ORESTES _peers towards Castle_, L., _in darkness; then, turning,\n     sees that there is a woman at the altar_.\n\nORESTES.\n\nDaughter of Helen, why at the altar? Whom do you fear so sore? [_No\nanswer. He comes nearer and sees_ MOLOSSUS _lying_.] What does the boy\nhere?\n\nANDROMACHE.\n\nIt is the stranger! Come you to seek _me_, or what more has chanced?\n\nORESTES.\n\nIs it you? You?--Is the boy asleep?\n\nANDROMACHE.\n\nWe have waited here so long, and have heard no word, good or evil.\n\nORESTES.\n\nBut why hide you here?\n\nANDROMACHE.\n\nWe have taken sanctuary from the wrath of the King and Queen, my guest.\n\nORESTES.\n\nCall you me still your guest?\n\nANDROMACHE.\n\nNay, you are still my guest till you leave the land; and the King's\nwrath will perchance be cooled to-morrow.\n\nORESTES.\n\nWhy did you not let them slay me in the hall? 'Twas your own folly. I\nsought no hurt to you. Speak, think you an altar will hold me back, or\nyour blood stain deeper than my mother's blood?\n\nANDROMACHE.\n\nWho are you that speak like this? And what will my death profit you?\n\nORESTES.\n\nSpoke I not loud enough in my enemy's hall? I am Orestes.\n\nANDROMACHE.\n\n[_Amazed._] Clytaemnestra's son! [_Coming towards him._] Oh, now I\nunderstand your face! Give me your hand. Whether that old stain be yet\npurged or no----\n\nORESTES.\n\n'Tis hidden and buried, rather, with much new blood over it. [_Keeping\nback his hand._\n\nANDROMACHE.\n\nIt is such a one as you I have long prayed for, to be a friend to my\nchild and me.\n\nORESTES.\n\nWhy should I be your friend? I want no friends.\n\nANDROMACHE.\n\nListen. You and I have had more grief than others. We have seen beyond\nthe glory of battle, beyond the joy of the conqueror and the shame of\nthe conquered--as Priam and Hector saw before they died.\n\nORESTES.\n\nI know the battle, and I know the shame. I have seen nought else.\n\nANDROMACHE.\n\nThe King has had but little sorrow; he has conquered always, and taken\nglory in his manslaying.\n\nORESTES.\n\nBelike he will soon taste the other side of glory.\n\nANDROMACHE.\n\nIt may be. But none here, save old Alcimus, know aught of suffering. I\nhave long prayed that some man should come here who had suffered from\nthe hurts he had done, and learnt to pity men and women. And if the\nKing's feet are set fast and cannot be turned, at least there is my son.\n\nORESTES.\n\nWoman, I am come to slay the King and your son!\n\nANDROMACHE.\n\n[_Calmly._] Slay them? But why? Why?\n\nORESTES.\n\nTo take their kingdom, as others have taken mine!\n\nANDROMACHE.\n\nBut is all the grief wasted that the gods have sent you? Can you not\nforget past evils and live in peace?\n\nORESTES.\n\nIn storm I can forget them. Peace is all anguish to me.\n\nANDROMACHE.\n\nAnd what will a kingdom profit you?\n\nORESTES.\n\nI am a king's son; I must have my kingdom.\n\nANDROMACHE.\n\nOh, you kings and kings' sons, you dwell like wolves in your castles. I\nhave heard many a ploughman at his ploughing sing with gladness, but\nseldom, seldom, a king's son.\n\nORESTES.\n\nWolves must live in the wolves' way; and they have their own gladness,\ntoo.\n\nANDROMACHE.\n\nYou may know them by the howling of their misery in the night! God grant\nmy boy may never be a king!\n\nORESTES.\n\nShall I slay him, then, as they bid me? Or would you that I should take\nhim away, where there are no kingdoms? My ship is in the bay, and lacks\nnot for plunder.\n\nANDROMACHE.\n\nBetter that you should slay him now, where he lies.\n\nORESTES.\n\nIs he asleep? [_He bends tenderly over_ MOLOSSUS; _then recovers\nhimself, and speaks in a harsh troubled voice_.] Why is it that you fear\nme not?\n\nANDROMACHE.\n\nWhy should I fear you?\n\nORESTES.\n\nDo you trust to these gods? For I reck little of them.\n\nANDROMACHE.\n\nNay, my gods are vanished and powerless long ago, and these are but my\nenemies' gods.\n\nORESTES.\n\nThen what defence have you against me?\n\nANDROMACHE.\n\nI need no defence. You and I are friends.\n\nORESTES.\n\nHow, friends! I am charged to slay you also.\n\nANDROMACHE.\n\nYou will not slay me.\n\nORESTES.\n\nHow can you know what I myself know not yet?\n\nANDROMACHE.\n\nYou have no peace to see your own heart; but I can see it.\n\nORESTES.\n\nHow have you learnt it?--Woman, they may well speak of your sorceries!\n\nANDROMACHE.\n\nI have no sorceries. This is a simple thing. We slaves learn to read\nmen's moods in their eyes and voices, because their moods bring life or\ndeath to us.\n\nORESTES.\n\nThen why do you not fear me the more? [_Roughly._] You have never seen\nmy heart!\n\nANDROMACHE.\n\nHe who has seen beyond the glory of bloodshedding may soon see beyond\nthe hardness of man's heart.\n\nORESTES.\n\n[_Troubled--roughly._] I know my own heart!\n\nANDROMACHE.\n\nThe gods' hearts may be hard, but man's is tender; only very hungry,\nand sore afraid, and wild as a hunted beast on the mountain.\n\nORESTES.\n\nKnow you your Queen's heart?\n\nANDROMACHE.\n\nNot hard, but starving. And she thinks, perchance, that the grief of\nothers will feed it.\n\nORESTES.\n\n[_Absently--bending and touching the boy's hands._] He is very cold.\n\n     _Enter_ HERMIONE, _hooded and wrapped, hurriedly_.\n\nHERMIONE.\n\n[_To herself._] Is there no one?--Oh, I dare not!\n\n     [ORESTES _steps quickly out from behind the trees_. HERMIONE\n     _starts in terror_.\n\nORESTES.\n\nWelcome, daughter of Helen!\n\n     [HERMIONE _does not answer, but stands, breathing hardy with\n     relief_.\n\nORESTES.\n\nThrow back your hood.--Ye gods, she is passing beautiful!\n\nHERMIONE.\n\nTake me quick to the ship. Quick, quick!\n\nORESTES.\n\nIt is not yet time. My men must draw Pyrrhus away from the castle.\n\nHERMIONE.\n\nHe has gone. Nay, take me quick--Orestes----\n\nORESTES.\n\nWhy do you tremble so? What is it?\n\nHERMIONE.\n\nThat oath I swore----\n\nORESTES.\n\nYou have not heard Them?\n\nHERMIONE.\n\nI know not. There seemed shapes at the edge of the trees.\n\nORESTES.\n\nShapes! [_Looks at her close._] No; _you_ have not seen them.\n\nHERMIONE.\n\n[_With horror._] Is the sight of them written on men's faces?\n\nORESTES.\n\nSpeak not of them!--You have neither seen nor heard.\n\nHERMIONE.\n\nIt is only now, and here, that I am afraid. Take me to the ship now; and\nwhen once it is over----\n\nORESTES.\n\nWhen Pyrrhus is slain?\n\nHERMIONE.\n\nAnd the other--[_clinging to him_]--oh, then we shall be safe and at\npeace.\n\nORESTES.\n\nThe boy? Why do you fear him?\n\nHERMIONE.\n\n[_Absently._] The boy? He is the king's son.\n\nORESTES.\n\nBut why do you _fear_ him?\n\nHERMIONE.\n\nIt is not the boy I fear.\n\nORESTES.\n\nWho, then?\n\nHERMIONE.\n\nIt is the woman.\n\nORESTES.\n\n[_Repelled._] And what fear you from _her_? I care not to slay a woman\nand a child.\n\nHERMIONE.\n\nI can never breathe in peace while she is there!\n\nORESTES.\n\n[_Sternly._] What has she done?\n\nHERMIONE.\n\n[_Speaking in vague, troubled tones._] When she is near me, even if I\nknow it not, her breath runs in my blood and makes me tremble. [_She is\ntrembling._\n\nORESTES.\n\nBe still! Say what she has done. If she has done you a wrong I will slay\nher.\n\nHERMIONE.\n\n[_In the same way._] I might have borne her eyes perchance in my own\ncountry, with friends near me; but here, all alone----\n\nORESTES.\n\nWhat has she done?\n\nHERMIONE.\n\n[_In the same way._] I meant no hurt to her for her sharing the king's\nbed. But when first I saw her and she looked straight into me, there was\nsomething that turned my heart sick and dimmed my eyes.\n\nORESTES.\n\nHow can I slay her for dreams like these? I know nought of your heart,\nbut I can see your beauty. She has not hurt that.\n\nHERMIONE.\n\nCan you not see a dimness over my face, where it once was bright--and a\nradiance in hers?\n\nORESTES.\n\n[_Reflecting._] There is a radiance, although she is so sad.\n\nHERMIONE.\n\nWhere got she that radiance? It is not hers. It is the joy and sunlight\nshe has sucked out of me!\n\nORESTES.\n\n[_Looking at her coldly._] I can see no cloud in your face.\n\nHERMIONE.\n\n[_Passionately._] No, no, you cannot see. I am rotting, shrivelling,\ndying within; and only she can see how I die!\n\nORESTES.\n\nAll flesh must decay. Tell me one deed of hate she has done, and I will\nslay her.\n\nHERMIONE.\n\nShe has made me childless, that her child may be king!\n\nORESTES.\n\n[_To himself._] And Helen never faded at all.\n\nHERMIONE.\n\nChildless, barren--barren of womb and of heart!--I had courage and\nstrength to bear good sons, till she sapped it from me to feed _her_\nson. Nay, there is another thing----\n\nORESTES.\n\n[_Coldly._] What?\n\nHERMIONE.\n\nNo, no, you do not believe me! I cannot say it.\n\nORESTES.\n\nYou speak such wild things.\n\nHERMIONE.\n\nI know not why I am so wild now, and anger you.--When she is near, it\nmakes me wild and cruel; but now, I know not why this should come over\nme.\n\nORESTES.\n\nGreat Zeus! if it should be true!--Andromache, Andromache, speak and\nanswer her.\n\nHERMIONE.\n\nIs she here? [ANDROMACHE _comes out from the trees by the altar_.]\nAverter of Evil, what is that?\n\nANDROMACHE.\n\nI am but your handmaid, I have done you no hurt.\n\nHERMIONE.\n\nNay, now you can see it--the thing I dared not say!\n\nORESTES.\n\nWhat is it?\n\nHERMIONE.\n\nShe is no live woman! See! she is dead and sucks the blood of the\nliving. Why is she not afraid, like a live woman?\n\nORESTES.\n\n[_Troubled._] She is deathly white. Why she has no fear I know not.\n\nANDROMACHE.\n\nWhat can I answer? The King might slay me, but not this man.\n\nORESTES.\n\nIt was the same but now, when I held death over her.\n\nHERMIONE.\n\nShe has passed through death! She has no fear, no anger, as the living\nhave. Why does she never ask for anything? [_Almost beside herself with\nterror._] Faugh! the smell of death clings about all her garments! Kill\nher, kill her! [ORESTES _looks at_ HERMIONE _with a shudder_. HERMIONE,\n_breaking down, continues_.] Oh, friend, friend, I was not like this in\nSparta.\n\nANDROMACHE.\n\nQueen, I know my heart is with the dead of Troy. Why should that anger\nyou?\n\nORESTES.\n\n[_Looking at_ HERMIONE.] In very truth there is a shadow come over you.\nYou seem to be shrunken, and scarce so wondrous beautiful.\n\nHERMIONE.\n\n[_In a weary frightened voice._] Kill her, kill her!\n\nORESTES.\n\nI know not----\n\nHERMIONE.\n\nYou have eyes. Can you not see there is a fiend working in me?\n\nANDROMACHE.\n\nThere is no fiend. Queen, Queen, why are you so full of hate?\n\nHERMIONE.\n\n'Tis your spells have done it! Before I came here I never hated any one.\n\nORESTES.\n\n[_To_ ANDROMACHE.] Know you not any cause why she should hate you?\n\nANDROMACHE.\n\nNay, stranger, why _do_ men hate?\n\nHERMIONE.\n\nShe has made me feel that I am vile. Slay her, or I go back to the King.\n\nORESTES.\n\nPyrrhus most like is dead. If I do slay her will you come away with me?\n\nHERMIONE.\n\nAway? To the ship? Yes; till we come back and take the kingdom!\n\nORESTES.\n\nI will not take your kingdom!\n\nHERMIONE.\n\nIs it the boy you fear to slay?\n\nORESTES.\n\nMy kingdom must be an ever-changing kingdom. I dreamed for an hour that\nI might stay and rest like other men.\n\nHERMIONE.\n\nAnd why not?\n\nORESTES.\n\nThere be Those watching that will not let me rest.\n\nHERMIONE.\n\nThose watching? But you have not seen them? _I_ have not seen anything!\n[_To herself._\n\nORESTES.\n\nNot now. Few men have ever seen them; but I hear their wings on the\nwind. And perchance if I stayed long in one place----\n\nHERMIONE.\n\nI hear nothing. [_Listening._] No, it cannot be wings on the wind! Oh!\n\nANDROMACHE.\n\nNay, there is no sound at all. Be not so terrified.\n\nHERMIONE.\n\nI cannot stay here alone! Oh, I care not for the kingdom.\n\nORESTES.\n\nWe are exiles for ever, both!\n\nHERMIONE.\n\nNay, if you love me I can bear anything; if any one will love me.\n\nORESTES.\n\nI know not if I love or hate you. It was for your passing beauty I came,\nbecause your eyes beaconed me through the dark of the sea.\n\nHERMIONE.\n\nOh, take me; that is all the love I want!\n\nORESTES.\n\nLike those two stars that men call Helen's brethren, immortal, never\nfading----\n\nHERMIONE.\n\nOh, I am fading fast, but, perchance, if the spell were off me----\n\nORESTES.\n\nNay, you shall never fade. There is a blue sunlit island, waterless,\ndesolate--Hear me, daughter of Helen, ageless and deathless!\n\nHERMIONE.\n\nI hear.\n\nORESTES.\n\nSome sunset when you are beautiful like a dream I will set you on that\nbright island, and fill my eyes full. And then I will go my ways alone,\nand the fairest of earthly things shall be mine for ever.\n\nHERMIONE.\n\nWhat do you mean?\n\nORESTES.\n\nNo man shall ever see you fade from your loveliness. The gods may take\nyou even as they took Helen.\n\nANDROMACHE.\n\nOh, he is mad! Queen, Queen, go back while there is time.\n\nHERMIONE.\n\n[_Shrinking back._] I should die! I am afraid!\n\nORESTES.\n\nDie? Of that I know not. Only never, never fade; perfect for ever\nwithout age or waning! Daughter of Helen, will you come with me?\n\n     [_A sound of arms outside. They start._\n\nHERMIONE.\n\nOh, quick! I am yours. Do with me what you will.\n\nORESTES.\n\nCome. [_Sound again._] What is that?\n\nVOICE OF PYRRHUS.\n\nAndromache! Ho! snake of Phrygia, starve at the altar if you will! Your\nplotters are all fled!\n\n     [ORESTES _stands in posture of defence_. HERMIONE _shrinks back_.\n\nANDROMACHE.\n\n[_To_ MOLOSSUS.] Cling fast! [_Rushing from the altar towards_ PYRRHUS.]\nBack, my king! Keep back!\n\nHERMIONE.\n\n[_To_ ORESTES, _with a cry_.] Now, now!\n\n     [_Hides her face._\n\nMOLOSSUS.\n\n[_Waking up slowly._] Is that father coming?\n\nPYRRHUS.\n\n[_Entering and grasping_ ANDROMACHE.] Think you to die so easily? You\nshall speak first and tell all!\n\nANDROMACHE.\n\nThere is an ambush! Keep back!\n\n     [PYRRHUS _stands with his sword drawn over her_.\n\nPYRRHUS.\n\n[_Looking up._] More treachery?\n\nORESTES.\n\nWhy is the son of Achilles away from the battle?\n\nPYRRHUS.\n\nYou? Pirate! Because your men fled so fast and so far. My servants have\nchased them twenty furlongs from here. Yield!\n\nORESTES.\n\n[_Loud._] No man shoot nor stir! [_As before._] Your Myrmidons may be\ntwenty furlongs from here; my men are in these thickets to right and\nleft. What sought you here? Was it to slay Andromache?\n\nPYRRHUS.\n\nI sought that when I came. Now I need more.\n\n     [_He poises his spear._ ANDROMACHE _slips back to_ MOLOSSUS _at the\n     altar_.\n\nORESTES.\n\n[_Not raising his spear._] Nay, it was I that should have slain\nAndromache. Go your ways! I only take back my own bride.\n\n     [_Pointing to_ HERMIONE, _whom_ PYRRHUS _now sees for the first\n     time_.\n\nPYRRHUS.\n\nIt _is_ Orestes!--But the queen vowed---- And that oath! Oh, perjured!\nperjured!\n\nHERMIONE.\n\n[_To the rocks and thickets._] O ye in the ambush, strike him down!\nStrike him down! Oh, what is that rushing on the wind?\n\n     [_Puts her hands over her ears as though in terror._\n\nORESTES.\n\nThe oath is fulfilled upon her!\n\nANDROMACHE.\n\n[_Close to_ PYRRHUS.] My lord, my lord, wait and let him speak. It is he\nthat asks you, so there is no dishonour. [_He glares at her._] Nay, you\nmay slay me after if I have done wrong. And his men are crowding behind\nthese bushes and rocks.\n\nPYRRHUS.\n\n[_In a war chant._] The wolves set an ambush, set an ambush for the\nlion; and the lion feasted for many days! Ho, Myrmidons!\n\nORESTES.\n\nThey hear you not. Go back!\n\n     [_He grasps his spear for defence_; PYRRHUS _draws his sword and\n     starts forward_.\n\nVOICE.\n\n[_From behind the rocks._] Now, men of Mycenae!\n\n     [_A shower of arrows strikes_ PYRRHUS.\n\nANDROMACHE.\n\nIt is a murder, a coward's murder!\n\n     [PYRRHUS _staggers to the altar and falls_. ANDROMACHE _bends\n     over, tending him_. MOLOSSUS, _with a cry, snatches_ PYRRHUS'\n     _sword and flies at_ ORESTES, _who disarms him at a blow_.\n\nORESTES.\n\nHold the boy! Hurt him not!\n\nHERMIONE.\n\n[_In a stupefied tone._] His blood is running down the steps of the\naltar!\n\nPYRRHUS.\n\nWhere is Molossus? Boy, if you leave these dogs unpunished----\n\nANDROMACHE.\n\nNay, curse him not! Oh, my lord, if you have ever loved him, curse him\nnot! Let him be free; he will do all that is well.\n\nPYRRHUS.\n\n[_Faintly._] Andromache? Ay, then, so be it. It is the same in the end.\nI am glad I did not slay you, Andromache. [_Dies._\n\nHERMIONE.\n\n[_As before._] His blood is trickling into the mark of the footprint of\nThetis! [_Wildly._] Ah, drag him away, or it will be a curse upon us!\nHe must not die at the altar!\n\nORESTES.\n\n_I_ never slew him. I will not touch a man dying at an altar.\nAndromache, touch him not; he will haunt you.\n\nHERMIONE.\n\nShe is not afraid of the haunting of the dead. See, she is whispering in\nhis ear. She is doing witchwork to bring him back. [_Crossing to_\nANDROMACHE, _who is still bending over_ PYRRHUS' _body, and kneeling to\nher_.] Nay, in the goddess's name, Andromache, do not wake him! I have\nwronged you much, but I will make amends; I will set you free. _He_\nwould never have done that. Only, do not whisper to him! Do not call him\nback to haunt me!\n\nANDROMACHE.\n\nHold your peace, traitor and coward! If I _could_ bring him back, think\nyou I would stay my voice for you?\n\nHERMIONE.\n\nO God! And the noise on the wind is nearer and nearer!\n\nORESTES.\n\n[_To_ HERMIONE.] You did not slay him. Even if he does wake, he will\nonly haunt them that slew him.\n\nHERMIONE.\n\nHe saw them not; he knows them not. He has only seen you and me.\n[_Rapidly._] Oh, in God's name, it is too much! The sound of Their wings\nis all about me, and if I dared look, I know I should see Their faces.\nIt is more than one woman can bear. If he wakes I shall go mad!\n\nORESTES.\n\nIt is done now. We will fly in the ship quickly; he will never follow us\nover the seas.\n\nHERMIONE.\n\n[_As before._] _She_ will show him the way! Oh, she will have no pity! I\nhave sought so long to slay her. She would not spare me now for all the\ntreasures of Egypt. I knew well I should have no peace till I saw her\ndead.--Oh, woman, woman! bend not over him; whisper to him no more!\n\nANDROMACHE.\n\nI _will_ whisper no more; I will cry aloud--in dead ears, as I have\ncried all my life! [_To_ PYRRHUS.] O thou who hearest me not, who hast\nnever heard me, I call again to thee, let there at last be peace! If\nthou hast found thy sleep, oh, cling to it! Never wake nor stir to\nfollow these who murdered thee!\n\nHERMIONE.\n\nWhat does she mean? It is all magic. She means that he _is_ to follow\nus!\n\nANDROMACHE.\n\nThe living have never heard me, and the dead cannot hear; but broken and\ndying men know the words that I speak. Remember the one moment before\nutter death, when thine eyes were opened to see and thine ears to hear.\nRemember that, and forget the long waste of days before!\n\nHERMIONE.\n\nShe bids him remember!--He will awake. I can feel that he will wake and\nfollow us!\n\nANDROMACHE.\n\nBy the bitter hate wherewith once I hated thee; by the blood in the\nstreets of Troy and the death-cry of Hector's child; by the love\nwherewith I have loved thee in spite of all--[_the body moves_]--and\nlove thee still----\n\nHERMIONE.\n\n[_With a shriek._] O God! He is waking! [_Grovelling in terror and\nhiding her eyes._] Oh, smite off his feet that he shall not pursue, and\nhis hands that he may never lay hold of me!\n\nANDROMACHE.\n\nBefore thy soul is fled far away, hearken to me and put away thine\nhatred.\n\nHERMIONE.\n\n[_As before._] Smite off his hands and his feet!\n\nORESTES.\n\nShe is not crying him to waken. She is bidding him rest in peace and not\nharm us.\n\nHERMIONE.\n\nIt cannot be that; it cannot. I have hated her too sore. It is all\nwitchwork or else madness.\n\n     [_She looks up and sees the sword; suddenly clutches it and moves\n     towards_ ANDROMACHE.\n\nANDROMACHE.\n\nAnd afterward go and seek Hector, and he will tell thee more, for he\nwas wiser and greater than other men. And some day this woman, too, will\nbe broken and dying; and then she will see what thou and I have seen,\nand will know what mercy is. [HERMIONE _stabs her_.] Ah!\n\n     [ANDROMACHE _falls over the body of_ PYRRHUS. ORESTES _starts\n     forward and grasps_ HERMIONE.\n\nORESTES.\n\n[_To the men holding_ MOLOSSUS.] Hold this wild beast! Let the boy free.\n\n     [ORESTES _and_ MOLOSSUS _bend together over the body of_\n     ANDROMACHE. _The men-at-arms seize_ HERMIONE.\n\nMOLOSSUS.\n\nMother, speak!--Is she dead?\n\nORESTES.\n\nNo, but there is death in her face.\n\nMOLOSSUS.\n\nMother, mother, speak!\n\nORESTES.\n\n[_Standing up._] We know what she would say---- Young King of Phthia, I\nnever sought to slay your father; and for this woman, I would give all\nmy wealth to have her alive again.--But I will make atonement: take all\nmy gold--[_takes off his chain, and throws it at_ MOLOSSUS' _feet_.\nMOLOSSUS _stands silent_]--and this dagger likewise. There is a bright\nstone in the hilt that keeps off the venom of snakes. [MOLOSSUS _is\nstill silent_.] And my cloak was woven by women of Sidon. [_Throws down\nthe cloak._\n\nMOLOSSUS.\n\n[_In a struggling sullen voice._] It was not you that slew her.\n\nORESTES.\n\nIs it the woman? There is your sword. [_Picks it up and gives it him. To\nthe men holding_ HERMIONE.] Hold back her arms, men, that the King may\nslay her as he will!\n\n     [_The men bring forward_ HERMIONE, _dazed and stupefied; they hold\n     her so that either breast or throat may receive the sword_.\n\nMOLOSSUS.\n\nOh, take her away, or I will verily slay her! Let her never set foot\nupon this land again.\n\nORESTES.\n\nBegone with her to the ship!\n\n     [_The men move off with her._\n\nHERMIONE.\n\n[_Suddenly struggling._] I will not go! Let me free! I will stay and he\nshall slay me!\n\n     [_The men drag her off._\n\nORESTES.\n\nAnd for mine own atonement. [_He looks round._] Men, get you gone!--If\nyou would have more, here is my sword; and here is my shield, and my\nhelmet. [_He lays the arms one by one at_ MOLOSSUS' _feet_.]--My men are\nall gone. The rest is for you to take.\n\nMOLOSSUS.\n\n[_Looking at_ ANDROMACHE.] I will take no more. I will have peace.\n\n     [_Kneels down, bending over the body._\n\nORESTES.\n\nPeace let it be!--Her face seems strangely joyful.\n\nMOLOSSUS.\n\nI never saw her looking so full of happiness.\n\nANDROMACHE.\n\n[_Half raising herself, with a radiant smile._] Hector! Hector!\n\n\n\nPrinted by BALLANTYNE, HANSON & CO.\nLondon & Edinburgh\n\n\n\n\n      *      *      *      *      *      *\n\n\n\n\nTranscriber's note:\n\nOriginal spelling and punctuation has been retained.","title":"Andromache: A Play in Three Acts","tradition":"myth-cosmogony","translated_text":null,"word_count":14400}