PR yoz5 ilnh mi. -w- - ^•.^ v ; ^ ^lv y ^. : . ..HV ^ \ I ** ^y •\ o OO^ «** ^ /<*> ^ v? i r " o o x << *v '•%,<£> V \v ^ vV ,V ANDROMACHE ANDROMACHE A PLAY IN THREE ACTS BY GILBERT MURRAY PORTLAND MAINE THOMAS BIRD MOSHER MDCCCCXIII 71? k^ COPYRIGHT THOMAS B MOSHER 1913 TRANSFERRED FROM COPYRIGHT OFFIOC MAY 5 I9J4 PREFATORY LETTER MY DEAR ARCHER, The germ of this play sprang into exist- ence on a certain April day in 1896 which you and I spent chiefly in dragging our reluctant bicycles up the great hills that surround Riveaulx Abbey, and discussing, so far as the blinding raift allowed us, the auestions whether all sincere comedies are of necessity cynical, and how often we had had tea since the morning, and how far it would be possible to treat a historical subject loyally and unconventionally on a modern stage. Then we struck (as, I fear, is too often the fate of those who converse with me) on the subject of the lost plays of the Greek tragedians. We talked of the extraordinary variety of plot that the Greek dramatist found in his historical tra- dition, the force, the fire, the depth and richness of character-play. We thought of the marvellous dramatic possibilities of an age in which actual and living heroes and sages were to be seen moving against a background of primitive super- stition and blank savagery ; in which the soul of man walked more free from trappings than seems ever to have been permitted to it since. But I must stop ; I see that I am approaching PREFATORY LETTER the common pitfall of playwrights who venture upon prefaces, and am beginning to prove how good my play ought to be / What I want to remind you of is this : that we agreed that a simple historical play, with as little convention as possible, placed in the Greek Heroic Age, a?id dealing with one of the ordinary heroic stories, ought to be, well, an interesting experi?nent. Beyond this point, I know, we began to differ. You wanted verse and the Greece of the English poets. I wanted, above all things, a nearer approach to my con- ception of the real Greece, the Greece of history and even — dare I say it ? — of anthropology ! I recognise your full right to disapprove of every word and every sentiment of this play from the first to the last, but I hope you will not grudge me the pleasure of associating your name with at least the inception of the experiment, and thanking you at the same time for the many gifts of friendly e?icouragement and stimulating objurgation which you have bestowed upon Yours sincerely, GILBERT MURRA Y January igoo. ANDROMACHE DRAMATIS PERSONS PYRRHUS . . Son of Achilles ; King of Phthia. Andromache . . Once wife of Hector, Prince of Troy ; now slave to Pyrrhns. Hermione . . Daughter of Helen, Queen of Sparta ; wife to Pyr- rhus. MOLOSSUS . . . Child of Pyrrhns and Andromache. Alcimedon or Alcimus An old Captain of Achilles' 1 Myrmidons. Orestes .... Son of Agamemnon, A'ing of Mycencc ; now ban- ished for the slaying of his mother, Clytumncs- tra. Pylades .... A Prince of Phocis, friend to Orestes. A Priest of Thetis Two Maids of Hermione Certain Maidens, Myrmidons, Men-at-Arms. The Action takes place in Phthia, on the Southern borders of Thessaly, about fifteen years after the Fall of Troy. The characters in this play must not be dressed like ornamental Greeks of the classical period. They are pre-classical and must suggest a mode of life that is hard, wild, poor, and above all savage. Hermione, and to a less degree her Maids, may show some richness of dress. Orestes, in spite of his gold, must be a dark travel-stained and haggard figure ; a little older than Pyrrhus, who is ruddy and fair -haired, like a common- place Viking. ANDROMACHE THE FIRST ACT Scene : The coast of Phthia. Rocks with the sea visible behind them. One of the rocks is a shri?ie, having niches cut in it for receiving offerings. At the back is the Altar of Thetis, shrouded in trees ; to the left, a well. A path to the left leads to Pyrrhus' castle ; another, far back to the right, leads to the house of the Priest. // is the morn- ing twilight, with a faint glimmer of dawn. At the foot of the rock Orestes is seated in meditation; he carries two spears, and wears the garb of a traveller. An Armed Man is moving off the stage at the back, as though going towards the sea ; he stops suddenly, listens, and hides behind a rock. Enter, coming up from the sea, Pylades, armed. The Man steps out. My lord Pylades. Where have you left him ? Yonder, by the shrine. He bade me go back to the ship. ANDROMACHE {Crossing to Orestes.] Is it too late to turn your purpose ? [As though half roused from his reverie.'] I seek only to see if she is indeed so passing beautiful. She was ; I am sure she was, until [He pauses. Let me go first and spy out a way for you. [With sudden resentment.] You think I am still mad ! Nay, no more mad than I, but more quick to anger. It would be safer for me to go. You think I am still mad because I dared not say it! I • will say it here by the altar. [Doggedly.] I will see if she is still as she used to be before the day when ... I shed my mother's blood, and first saw Speak not Their name, brother. You did nought but the gods' plain bidding. You see them no more now that you are healed. ' T was you that feared to name them, not I ! Nay, you fear nothing ; that is why I must fear for you. What is there to fear for me ? Most like I shall come back just as I am. ANDROMACHE pylades That is the one thing that cannot be ! [Musingly.] If she is changed as all the world else is changed since that time [Abruptly.] I care not for the woman. I will come back. If not [Smiles ambiguously. But why go alone, and why venture so much ? We two could lie hid in the thickets by the shrine yonder, and see her when the women come to pray at sunrise. And then [ With determination, i?iterrupting him.] I will go alone, and see her and speak with her alone ! Hinder me not, friend ! Leave no man to watch over me. Keep the ship well hidden, and have twoscore men ambushed above the cliff, to hold the path if need comes. There shall be fourscore ever ready to your call, night or day. [ Coming down from path at bach.] My chief, the dawn is drawing close. Ay, get you gone before any worshippers come. As you will, then. And Apollo be your guard ! ANDROMACHE [Exeunt Pylades and Armed Man. Orestes wraps his mantle round hi?n and sits in silence. Enter from the right, Priest of Thetis, with a bowl in his hands. He climbs a rock at the back and watches the sunrise. Not yet. Not quite yet. Ah, there it catches the crag-top: now the trees: — yes, there is the glint far off on the sea ! \He comes down towards the shrine and prays.] Hail, Thetis ! Accept this wine and honey I bring thee at first touch of dawn. Keep thy Priest in wealth and honour, even as I keep thy worship. And, as the sunlight drives the Things of dark- ness from thy waters [Seeing Orestes.] Averter of evil ! Who is this that has sat through the darkness under the Holy Rock ? Stranger, whence come you here ? From Acarnania. here? Have I sinned in resting No man of Phthia, for his life, would stay here in darkness ! Saw you not anything ? What should I see ? No changing manifold shapes, as of women or winged things ? ANDROMACHE [Harshly^ I saw nought but what I have seen on a thousand nights. Enough ! If I have offended any goddess I will make amends. [He begins to wring off a pendant from a gold chain that he wears, and moves towards the altar. Stay ! There is no blood upon your hands ? I have shed blood in my time. How long since ? Is the stain washed off ? Oh, I have been purified and purified ! Duly and fully — with hyssop and the blood of swine ? With better sacrifices than swine ! I am clean enough to make amends to your god- dess. [Coming across to the shrine.] Where shall I lay it ? For I may need her favour. [Holds out the gold pendant. [Surprised?^ Gold ! Stranger, it is well to give gold to Thetis, but Well, I give it to Thetis ! Scarce a man in Phthia has ever touched gold, save Pyrrhus himself and the servants of Hermione. Nor many, I should guess, in Acarnania. ANDROMACHE ORESTES A banished man must have his wealth in little compass. PRIEST A chain like that should buy an exile's return. ORESTES I care not to return. PRIEST Are the friends of the dead so bitter against you? ORESTES The friends of the dead are dead, and my friends are dead. I have none to fear ; but I have been wronged, my house taken from me, and my father's wealth, and the woman that was vowed me to wife. No more, old man ! I am an exile, and I live in happier lands than mine own. PRIEST Is it in Phthia you seek for a happy land ? . . . No matter ; affliction comes to the good as to the evil. ORESTES Why, what ails your city, if a stranger may know? PRIEST See you that shrine, and the footprint of Thetis in the rock? Once it was all covered with offerings ! ORESTES It is not so well loaded, nor yet so ill. Is there no worse than that? ANDROMACHE Worse? Barren fields and a barren queen, and hatred in the house of Achilles! Is it some sin the King has done? The King and a woman. [Starting.] Has that sin met its punishment ? Speak plainly, Priest. Long years ago, Pyrrhus brought back from Troy a slave woman to share his bed. [As though reassurea '.] Hector's wife, Andromache, men say. The wife of his father's bitterest enemy! Ay, and she was his enemy too, and loathed her life with Pyrrhus. They all struggle, these women captives. But what harm came of it ? She is a foe to the land and to Thetis ! But has he not cast her off? [With con- straint.'] Men say he has wedded a new Queen, the daughter of Helen. Oh, the Trojan has not dwelt in the King's house these ten years back. She begged him for a hut in the mountain, and he gave it her. ANDROMACHE ORESTES She begged to be sent away ! How was that? PRIEST Why should a woman wish to live in secret, and not be seen ? [Slight pause.'] There be wise women among the barbarians. ORESTES Wise in bad drugs and magic; I know no other wisdom in them. PRIEST You have said it ! There is a prophet here who knows of counter-charms — I gave him three ewes for this that I wear — [showing a charm made of wolves' teeth] — else I durst not face her! ORESTES Whom has she chiefly hurt? PRIEST Men say she has waked the dead Hector to come to her across the seas! . . . But for the King, we should have judged her long ago. ORESTES Does the new Queen hate her? PRIEST Has she not blighted the womb of the Queen? There is no heir to Achilles in Achilles' land ! ORESTES And does Pyrrhus sit still while his Queen is thus wronged ? ANDROMACHE i3 Cannot a witch blind the eyes ? He can see nothing, and will hearken to nothing. Even now he has taken the Trojan woman's bastard with him. Is Pyrrhus away from the land? Where? He has gone hunting in the hills yonder and down to the fields of the Naprcans. When should he return ? To-day, it may be — it is the fifth day of the hunt; or perchance the game may keep him some time yet. {Enter Alcimedon, l., an old man with spears but no armour; he carries a bu?ich of Violets for Thetis?^ The witch woman is mad lest any hurt come to the boy ! Health to you, Priest, and discretion to your tongue! Health I accept, Alcimedon, — discretion to them that need it! [To the Priest.] Why, what should bring hurt to the lad ? [Carelessly, passing on.] Jealousy stranger. Priests and barren women ! [He passes on to the altar, and then to the rock, where he puts his violets. 14 ANDROMACHE PRIEST ORESTES ALCIMEDON ALCIMEDON ALCIMEDON Jealousy ! [Involuntarily.] Hermione would never plot against the boy ! [He makes an angry movement after ALCIMEDON. What jealousy? What need to be jealous of him ? He is no true heir. We have a King, and we have a Queen, both of the blood of Zeus, both our true rulers, but heir there is none. [Seeing and handling the gold link.] Ye golden gods, have the sons of Pactolus come to Phthia ? [In sudden anger.] The curse of the crawl- ing lichen on the man who moves that gold ! On your own head! [Throws gold quickly down.] Who are you, stranger, to curse one that has done you no wrong ? I check the wrong before it is done. And I tell not my name save to my host after I have eaten and slept. If you come to teach your manners to the Myrmidons, by Thetis ! you shall learn theirs first. Is the stranger yours, O Priest ? ANDROMACHE 15 ALCIMEDON ALCIMEDON ALCIMEDON I have broken no man's bread nor touched his hand. [Defiantly. "\ What seek you more ? Why is he so bold ? Has he sanctuary with Thetis ? [Lifting his two spears.] This is my sanctu- ary. And there is more gold for the man that will break through it. Stay! Slay not the stranger so fast, Alcimedon. Reason with him. He will give up the chain, and we will let him go in peace. Go in peace, when he has lifted his spear against Alcimedon ! How shall I look my grandchildren in the face ? By Thetis ! I will wash the chain with his blood ! Beware ; he has spears! It is man to man. [Noise of footsteps. Orestes finis his back towards a rock, so that neither he nor Alcimedon sees Andromache, the Maid, and two other damsels, who enter with pitchers on their heads. [ With his eye on Orestes.] Ha ! who comes there? [Calling to the new corners without look- ing at them.] A stranger in arms, and with gold! Ho! Myrmidons! ANDROMACHE ANDROMACHE ALCIMEDON ANDROMACHE ANDROMACHE Shame on you, Alcimedon, robber of strangers ! Is it you? [ Yielding reluctantly?] Nay, he is no man's guest; it is lawful to slay him. He is mine. [To Orestes.] Stranger, give me your right hand. [To Alcimedon.] He is my guest. [Still stormy and excited?] Shall I take a woman's hand for fear of this old loon ? My spear-blade is dry and has not drunk. Stranger, you are alone ; a wise man chooses peace, and not war. Alone ? As a wolf among sheep is alone. When he slays first the dog — [pointing spear at Alcimedon] — and bleeds the sheep as he will! And who will be the better when he has bled them ? Nay, old friend — [to Alcimedon, who wants to break in; then to Orestes again] — though you slay us all, you have but lost the food and shelter we had given you ; and the shedder of blood escapes not the Dread Watchers. [ Who had been cooling, starts and threatens her.] What know you of the Dread Watchers ? ANDROMACHE ANDROMACHE ALCIMEDON ANDROMACHE ALCIMEDON ORESTES ANDROMACHE ANDROMACHE ANDROMACHE And there is little glory in the slaying of a woman, and little gain. [ Wildly.'] What woman ? Who are you that taunt me ? Priest, is this your witch ? [Angrily.] She is no witch ! You lie, both stranger and priest ! I am a bondwoman of the King. Andromache, once wife of Hector, Prince of Troy. And am I to be the guest of a bondwoman ? There are others of free estate who will take you in. I only sought to save men's lives. What worth are men's lives? I will be guest to none but the King. One of these will guide you, when you will, to Pyrrhus' castle. [Relaxing suddenly.] Oh, let me be. [He sits down on a rock, and buries his face in his hands. [To Alcimedon.] The man is very weary and sore at heart, Alcimedon. It may be he is mad. It is well we hurt him not. ANDROMACHE ALCIMEDON ANDROMACHE ALCIMEDON ANDROMACHE ALCIMEDON ALCIMEDON Banishment may make a man well-nigh mad. I remember the year of my own manslaying. Perchance he has been long alone in the forests. Take him and give him food and drink. The priest can take him. I want no more of the man. [Wearily.'] Nay, touch me not. Leave me awhile. [To the others^] It is well. Make your prayers. [Approaching the altar, and praying zvith upstretched hands.] Greeting to thee and joy, Thetis, mother of all Phthia. Give us peace in this land ; and grant that my son Molossus return safe, and grow to give joy to thee and all this house! [In the same way.] Joy to thee, Thetis! Accept my offerings, and grant that my arms keep strong, and that I find the man whose swine have trampled my barley field. It will be a long day before Thetis grants you that, old man. [Grumbling.] If I only knew of any one that knew! ANDROMACHE *9 PRIEST [To First Maid.] Have you a prayer to make? MAID [Taking- offeri?igs from other Maids to add to her own.] Hail, Thetis ! and may joy be ever with thee ! Accept these offerings from the bondmaidens Aithra, and Pholoe, and Deian- assa; and grant all good things to them and theirs. [A pause. ALCIMEDON The jade ! She is praying in silence ! Ho, stop her, Priest! [The others giggle. MAID 'T is as good as a witch's prayer, at the worst ! ALCIMEDON [Taking hold of her and threate?iing her with the shaft of his spear.'] Say it aloud, now! Say what it was! MAID I won't! I won't! Let me be. It was no harm. ANDROMACHE Let her be. ALCIMEDON Swear it was nothing touching me, nor my crops, nor those swine ! MAID By Thetis! I think not of you, nor your crops nor your swine ! ORESTES [Recovering from his reverie.] Well, lead me in. I will be the guest of any that will take me. ANDROMACH E ORESTES AL< IMEDON ANDROMACHE You have given an offering, stranger; you may pray if you will. I — to Thetis! No! Yet perhaps [Going up to altar."] Hail, Thetis 1 I have given thee an offering of many oxen's price, and many more will I give if thou hinder me not of my desires. A vile prayer, a very dangerous prayer! He might as well hive prayed silently. I will not take the man ; the Priest may take him. \_Thc Priest goes towards Ori [Looking about and scantling the faces. ~\ I will be this bondwoman's guest. So be it, stranger. [The Priest moves anxiously towards Orestes.] And perchance the Priest will give you shelter till my work is done. Ay, come with me. When the King returns, it were meeter that he should take you. [Aside to Orestes.] Beware, stranger ! It is the Phrygian woman. [Apart to Priest.] She is over-wise, methinks; but not evil. I fear her not. [Com- ing back as though on impulse.'] I give you my hand, wife of Hector! 1NDROMACH E I'kiKsr Al« IMI DOW ALCIM [ Taking his k Till the Kin^ retui .'* i [Flings out the 'and. Queen, you have flung out the blood upon mndl ANDROMACHE hkkmiom What would my sacrifice profit, with that woman's eyes upon me? [To Andromache.] you back to the castle! Is the water not drawn yet? hi: . ( ) ( Hieen! ALCIMBDON You arc over-proud, my Queen, over-proud. hi KMhiM May a Queen in Phthia not give commands to her own slaves ? [At : Holy Aphrodite ! some one ut gold upon the shrine ! ' T was | Btranger that the Priest has taken in. Have a care : the dog laid a curse on any who should move it. A stranger! He comes from the South, then ; from Athens, or Argos, or Mycenae No, Queen, he is only an Acarnanian. But belike he has journeyed to the South. That is no Acarnanian gold! [Taking it ///.] See you the sea-beast wrought on it, with many feet ? [To Maid. Yes, but the curse, Queen [Not heeding her.] It brings my home back to me. In Lacedaimon we all wore chains of gold about our necks. A NDROMACH E \I Ml> M.CIM IION1 MOI i the man bud a curse upon and that n in tin- their like this. \ i 1 a plain 1 i Will / ilr.iw water I i the -nan. Ho : Mother, " tad the K; huntsmen. They arc coming op the path. 24 ANDROMACHE ALCIM INDROMA4 III. I IK MOLO MO I J ' HERMIONE ANDROMACHE Already \ [To Andromache, who has stopped.] Why m wait? Have I not bidden you back to the castle ? And when the hall is swept, go to your own house. Come not up to trouble the King till that web is finished. {Turning again and moving away ^\ I go, en. [Without.'] IIo, wife of Hector, mother of MoloSSUSl Slay, and look at him. ///./ PYRRHUS enter, with some spear men; Pvrrhus has his arm on the neck of M >L08SU& [Running forward.] Mother, look ! I have slain a man ! Hi has slain his first man. [MOLOSSUS holds up his hands, the pai/ns of which one smeared with blood. See, mother; they have smeared me with his blood ! Keep away from the altar, with foul hands ! [7'o Pyrrhus, with reproach, while she em- -.] You said you would take him to no battles, only to hunting. A \ I I {Cheeril\ \ bo made nothing but bunting. We had dri the mountains am: with i I the tod think; . tod . g ! — ami there he l his d i pipe he was plait i is n't finished, bul 5, my . n and cut off the cattle : ami I have given them I M isus for his own herd 26 A X I) R () M ACHE HERMIONl [ONE UK KM ANDROMACHE And father put the blood on my hands himself. I will do more for you than that, my firstborn. [ IIVi<> has kept back, by the altar.] Take Dp your pitcher, and begooe, woman ! {Turning upon 1 1 krm i< >\ i\] Now, by Peleus, daughter of Helen, what would you? That when my slave is «;one you may give me greeting. I give you greeting. But I praise not your greeting to me. If I send my women to draw water at sun- rise, shall the water not be hack when the shadows are thus ? There be other women meeter to draw water than Hector's wife. I tell you there is no man on this earth I should so joy to have slain as I lector. If he had witchwork to help him, he may have been a deadly fighter. [To Pvrkhus, who has laid his hand on her shoulder.] Nay, master, the hall must be made ready. AND EtOM ACHE iMACMK ; u in i I Mill .1. take our boy, and be with him at the when I < < think of a boon . ihaU not stint I know 'ord. Ask with make : ID hf I will the Na> Not -:f'u//v.] Then per i ban* the herd- bould • IS It [ Putting hn . . my lord ! And if there is no merit, they will watch day and night to glaj him. 28 AN I) ROM A (MI E MOLOSSUS [A( m PYRRHUS ANDR< I ANDRi • HERMIONE MOLOSSUS PYRRHUS Mother, I fear them not ! They will raid US again I can do them twice and four times the hur they can do me. They cannot hurt us in our castle, but the; can burn the villages in the plain ami mak< b and famine. Oh, Mother, why should I make atonemen for my first man ? It was only a boy, too. I cannot ask for giveness for one boy I It will cost little. Sidon work I have three carpets o And the oxen! 1 have ^iven them to the j lad ; and one is already eaten. . . . Well , well, it is for the lad to say if he-will give bar! | his oxen and ask for pardon. Shall my chests be made empty because I your slave's child is afraid? I am not afraid. I will never atone! [To Hermione.] Peace, O Queen! [Til Andromachk.] Go! If Molossus wills, he carl make his atonement. On to the castle, men ! I [Exeunt spearmen) A N I - \Turmng ,is she go ft off.] i th, my ur hall would itC if un. u [St num's I. Wh.it to UK ■ /:cr broke b them, ith of the You ire ni.nl. woman, had mur- dered his mother, and the Spirits without N haunted him day and night My father knew that when be betrothed I le could be purified 3° A N I ) R ( ) M A CHE HKRMl PYRRHUS HERM1 r\ RRHUS HERMION i l'Vki i II IK N' I HERMIONE \Scomfully^\ Purified? For slaying his mother? And you, you dared not enter the land while Agamemnon's son was there; you wailed till 'T was your father cozened Orestes away. How should I fear Agamemnon's son? Am 1 not the son of Achilles? And was Achilles a better man than Aga- memnon ? All the world knows he was. Then why did all the world choose Agq memnon to be the ir king? Bah ! Very Eeeble men may be kings. They may, in Phthia; and beggarly men and savage, and witch-ridden, and makers o atonement, and stealers of wives! By Peleus ! if I stole you, you were willing T is yourself you mark with a dog's name Helen's daughter! God be witness, willing I never was ! Thougl I dreamed not then that I should come to beggared land and the house of a master wh hated me ! . I • i I E {/'/trigs herselj hidden ff the stage by the trees. ■ IK.-.] H \Vh> • a m.ui. 1 I I will D and the Waters ■• "tent at the It is well, strangi r. r id in . and if i to exile foi manslay- bag may well be worth the bre.nl be 32 ANDROMACHE ORESTES HERMIONE ORESTES HERMIONE Others know if I am skilled in war. I know only that my life is little worth to me, and I care not much to save it. A good word, Sir Guest, and worthy of the roof of Achilles. We give you greeting, my Queen and I. [Shakes his hand, and looks round for Hermione.] Daughter of Helen, _. have you not seen our guest? \_In a stattled tone.'] Seen him ? What do you mean, my lord? Nay, though methinks I have heard the Queen's praises till it is almost as though I knew her. For the women of the South speak daily of Helen's daughter, and the bards and kings' sons will never forget her. [ Mastering her agitation with difficulty^ You know the land of Pelops, stranger? It is a fair land. Once it was far the fairest upon earth. But now its pride is brought down, and that which made it beautiful is departed. [Be looks steadily at her. Ay, they have had their troubles in the South. Howbeit, with us you may stay in ! peace as long as your pleasure is. Daughter ANDROMACHE 33 of Helen, give your hand to our guest, and guide him to the castle. [Moving her hand forward, then drawing back.'] Let another guide him. I have yet a prayer unspoken, and my offering is poured. [Displeased.] Be not vexed, stranger. Who can tell the prayers of a childless woman, save that they change and are very many? Come with me, and to-morrow we will ask your name <^nd race. [Exeunt Pyrrhus and Orestes, l. The Priest looks to the niches in the rock to see the offerings. Hermione falls on her knees at the altar, and prays silently. end of the first act ANDROMACHE 35 ANDROMACHE V ANDROMACHE MOLOSSUS THE SECOND ACT Scene : The Hall of Pyrrhus' Castle, a rude stone building, with spears, swords, and armour hanging on the ivalls. A dootivay in the back wall leads to the courtyard. At the extreme right is a fire burning ; near it are two high seats for the King and Queen. On a bench near the door are Andromache and Molossus seated; on the floor near them is a small pile of carpets and tapestries, and a bowl with some metal omame/its and small weapons in it. But when you saw him fall, and saw the pain in his face, did it give you no grief? A little, it may be. Not more than when I struck my first deer. A child might cry over the ox they are flaying now in the yard. And a grown man, too, if it availed any- thing. Mother, you are only a woman, and I am getting to be a man ; I must grow past all that and throw it behind me. ANDROMACHE ANDROMACHE MOLOSSUS ANDROMACHE MOLOSSUS ANDROMACHE Enter Orestes unnoticed: he stands 171 the doorway, lea?iing against a pillar. May your eyes never see half the pain mine have seen ! I grew past feeling for it, too, long, long ago. I saw men writhe and bite the dust, without caring for them or counting them. They were so many that they were all confused, and the noise of their anguish was like the crying of cranes far off ; there was no one voice in it, and no meaning. And then, as it went on growing, and the sons of Priam died about me and the folk starved, and my husband, Hector, was slain with torment, all the voices gathered again together and seemed as one voice, that cried to my heart so that it understood. What did it say, mother ? It spoke in a language that you know not, my son. Did it speak Phrygian ? It spoke the language of old, old men, and those whose gods have deserted them. [Orestes moves forward as though to speak, but checks himself. But you could tell me what it said. ANDROMACHE 37 ANDROMACHE ANDROMACHE ANDROMACHE MOLOSSUS ANDROMACHE ANDROMACHE [Looking at him, and not answering.] Why did you ever wish to kill that herd-boy ? We had taken their cattle before. They always fight us. W T ould it not be better that they should live at peace with you ? Why should I fear their blood-feud ? I would sooner be slain than ask favours of them. My father would avenge me well ! And who will be the happier ? Listen. Can you hear that little beating sound — down seaward, away from the sun ? It is the water lapping against the rocks. There is a sound like that in the language I told you of. Old, old men, and those whose gods have deserted them, hear it in their hearts — the sound of all the blood that men have spilt and the tears they have shed, lapping against great rocks, in shadow, away from the sun. But, mother, no warrior hears any sound like that. Hector learnt to hear it before he died. 38 ANDROMACHE ANDROMACHE ORESTES ANDROMACHE ANDROMACHE ORESTES MOLOSSUS ANDROMACHE MOLOSSUS [Coming forward.'] Before he died ! Is that its meaning ? The stranger ! [Turning. Does it mean death, that sound ? Nay, methinks a man hears it when he has suffered enough, if he has the right ear to hear it. But it is then that death should come, when a man has suffered enough. Nay, death should not come for suffering. Death should come when there is no hope left for any one thing in the world. \_Broodingly.~] One thing ! But, Mother, they called Hector " Slayer of Men." I want first to slay many, many men, and many wild beasts, and burn a town, that people may fear me, and call me " Slayer of Men." And after that — after that, I will be merciful, and slay only those I hate. Shall you hate men still ? If they wrong me ! [Andromache smiles.] Shall I not hate them that wrong me ? Do you not yourself ? ANDROMACHE 39 ANDROMACHE ANDROMACHE MOLOSSUS ANDROMACHE MOLOSSUS ANDROMACHE ANDROMACHE MOLOSSUS Light of my age, if I hated, how should I live ? There are three living souls that I love — you and your father and old Alcimus. And if I hated, whom should I hate more bitterly ? I know my father was your enemy once. But what did old Alcimus? He was one of the three who slew my little child. Astyanax ? [She nods."] I wish Astyanax were alive, mother. I would take him hunt- ing. — He would have no share, would he, in my heritage ? 1 know nothing of that. And did you never hate them — not at the time ? [Looking at Attn, then passing her hand across her face.] Oh yes, I hated them ! But not me ! I never did much harm to you. Some day perhaps you will hurt me worse than any of them; but I shall not hate you. [After a pause, handling the objects in the bo7ul.] Well, I give you my oath this time, Mother ; but I will not atone for my next slay- 4o ANDROMACHE ALCIMEDON ANDROMACHE MOLOSSUS ALCIMEDON ALCIMEDON ALCIMEDON Enter Alcimedon and Attendants. The bull is finished, and a fine beast he was. [Seeing the bowl.'] What is this ? [Shamefaced.'] Nothing. Some pieces of mother's old stores. The price for the blood of the herd-boy. She made me vow it ! The atonement? That is right. I feared that Pyrrhus would be too proud to pay it. You need not think that / wanted him to pay it ! H'm ! That was how /talked once, before I knew what a blood-feud was. And now I would pay a dead man's weight in silver to be clear of one. Of course, with a stranger it is different, or a man who has no kin. [Exam- ining the stores?^ No need to pay too much, though. It was a little boy, they tell me, and poorly clad. [Almost crying?^ He was a big boy ! — I hate the Napaeans, and I will slay more of them ! There are the oxen as well. We have killed two; but sorry beasts, both, sorry beasts. Any two calves will more than make up for them. ANDROMACHE 4i MOLOSSUS But I hate them ! ALCIMEDON Hate them your fill ; but make up the feud : we must not have Pyrrhus left childless. MOLOSSUS What is it to me if Pyrrhus is childess ? He can avenge his children. ALCIMEDON Peace is better. MOLOSSUS [ Contemptuously. ] Peace ! ORESTES And what is the road to peace ? The hate must eat itself out, till it stays for weariness. ALCIMEDON A long road, stranger, too long and too rough to the feet. We want peace now ! ORESTES How can you get peace now, when the blood is still wet ? He may give all his silver and his kine, but he will hate the men whose blood he has drunk ; and though they swear by all the gods of their valley, they will hate him. And hate will out, in time, one way or another. MOLOSSUS If ever they swerve a hair's breadth from their oaths ALCIMEDON And is there to be no peace at all ? ORESTES Peace for this one — \touching Molossus] — when Pyrrhus is childless, or when 42 ANDROMACHE ALCIMEDON ORESTES ANDROMACHE ORESTES ANDROMACHE ANDROMACHE Your words on your own head ! when the last of the Napaeans has gone from the earth. Nay ; no peace then. Not for the dead ? Do not men see the dead roaming the world, and hear them call for blood ? [Excitedly.'] How know you, woman, that the Dead call for blood ? [Gloomily again.] When the whole of a race is gone there may perhaps be peace. But the whole of a race is never gone. Even from Troy there are men escaped who may make cities and seek for vengeance again. And if you blot out all the Napaeans, there are those beyond the Napaeans who will hate you for that very thing. Make peace, swiftly, before you die, my son, lest there be no peace for ever and ever. Enter Hermione, with Priest of Thetis and Attendants ; she is richly dressed, and her eyes bright and anxious. She passes up to the two high seats, and takes one. She talks with her Maids, and Alcimedon goes over to her. ANDROMACHE 43 ORESTES IIERMIONE HERMIONE I HERMIONE [Detaching another pendant from his chain.'] Woman, you can see men's hearts, and you talk not as these talk. Behold, there is no peace, for peace is nothing ; there is either Love or Hate. [Throwing pendant into the bowl.] If gold can buy love where hate is, put that to the blood-gift ! [To Orestes, across the hall.] Sir Stranger, this Priest tells me you are skilled as a bard. I have little skill in music, but I have jour- neyed much. You can tell us strange tales of your voyages ? Not of my own. But I was telling this boy a tale even now. Nay, no boys' tales ! Andromache, take your son and help with the ox flesh. [To Orestes.] And sit not so far off, among the slaves' seats. Tell us some man's story. [Approaching, but bringing Molossus with him, while Andromache goes out.] Nay, I will keep the boy. It is a boy's tale, this, and of little meaning. But seeing I have begun [To Molossus.] Have you heard of a man that once had a great feud — Orestes, Aga- memnon's son ? 44 ANDROMACHE MOLOSSUS Who slew his mother, and was driven by PRIEST Nay, name them not, child, name not those Holy Ones ! ALCIMEDON We love not his name in this house, stranger. Have you no other tale ? HERMIONE [ Controlling her excitement^ Nay, what hurt is his name ? It is only a tale. ORESTES He took on him a great feud, greater than he knew. For his father called from the dead for vengeance on the woman who had mur- dered him. And the gods called, too, and put voices always about him calling for blood. And then they betrayed him ! MOLOSSUS Did his father betray him, too ? ORESTES Nay, it may be that the voice was not his father's, after all. But the gods PRIEST See that your tongue offend not, stranger ! ORESTES So be it. Well, in the end he recked not of the gods. He cared not how sore they hated him, and cared not if he lived or died. MOLOSSUS And what did he do ? ANDROMACHE 45 > HERMIONE ORESTES HERMIONE ORESTES HERMIONE ORESTES MOLOSSUS This is the last story I heard of him, from a Cretan man who had been in the Northern lands. Had he gone so far away ? To the far North where the people are barbarians. For he vowed that he would be like Paris, and win the most beautiful of all women for his wife ; for, you must know, the gods had marred all the world for him, and made it all as ashes in his mouth, except beauty. For beauty is immortal, like them- selves ; and they cannot hurt it. So he sought and questioned where that woman might be ; and travellers said she was queen of a land among the Northmen. [Half divining his meaning.'] Had he seen her himself ? Ay, long ago, they said. And did he too deem her so fair ? [Looking full at her.] More beautiful than the flowers and the sunlight, so that in dreams her eyes haunted him. Well, and what did he do ? He took his ship, with a hundred men well armed, and hid them in a bay of that country. 46 AND ROM AC II E And he went up alone to the king's castle and he woman. For be was not sure if she was really so beautiful, and wanted to see her again very close. So he stayed in the king's house and made a plot to bear her away. Rut what happened ? I said it was but a boy's story. The Cretan knew not what had happened. Some said he won the queen to his ship, and fled away, wandering: and id she told the king <>f his plotting, and they slew him there in the banquet hall. [ A slight pause. ] So perchance Orestes has found his peace ; or, per- chance he is still an outcast man, with a new feud following him. But 1 wish I knew. 'I is a foolish story, without an ending. HERMION i [ Breaking out from her suspense ; recklessly. ] And a poor fool, your Orestes, whatever befell ! flow so ? What if he won the woman ? HKRMIONE He only fled on the seas with her, an exiled man, with no comfort. Could he not get him a kingdom ? ORBS1 Belike he cared not for a little kingdom, i being once robbed of his own great kingdom. A N ! I 47 If | bigfa seat ii empty, shall not a i good soldi- ne, of M\ good The- Northmen may l> him. A band] it. The bad her own fri ;ier. .'lant :n | I [c did :. 4 le k fur t r bci tight her ! ; beauty spoke like a god to him : ANDROMACHE [A moments pause. A shout of several voices heard in the Court. ALCIMEDON What is that shouting ? [Moves towards door, with Molossus ; the Priest follows. HERMIONE I heard the King's voice in it. [To her Maids.] Go, both of you. See what has happened. [They also go towards the door, leaving Hermione and Orestes alone. An instant of silence ; the?i she makes a quick move- ment to him.] Oh, speak ! ORESTES Either I will take you this night or I will be slain here in the hall ! HERMIONE Oh, take me, take me ! I am half dead with wearying ! ORESTES You shall weary no more. Go. forth alone at midnight to the altar of Thetis HERMIONE The altar of Thetis — by night! [She shows fear. ORESTES What do you fear? [Hermione shudders, but does not answer^] You dare not? Then, let it end the other way ! HERMIONE Dare you slay him ? ORESTES That is no great thing ! ANDROMACHE 49 HERMIONE And the witch, and the witch-child ? [ With frightened ferocity. ORESTES Slay fieri HERMIONE You will not? You will not? Oh, then, I dare not go to you ! [Orestes iooks at her with surprise and some repulsion ; the women and Alci- mus return, followed by Pyrrhus and MOLOSSUS, with some armour: after them Andromache and some retainers. MAID A gift for Molossus ! The King has given him a helmet and shield and spear! MOLOSSUS And greaves, too, with bronze rims ! PYRRHUS Not yet, my boy ! \4-s Molossus would fit a greave on.] Bad luck before a banquet. ALCIMUS Wait till the morning, my lad ! PYRRHUS [ With sudden displeasure, seeing the blood- gifts.] What mean all these carpets, and the bowl yonder ? ANDROMACHE They are gifts for the atonement. PYRRHUS Atonement — to those dogs! ANDROMACHE My King, it was the boon you granted me. PYRRHUS [Turning towards Molossus.] The boy never consented ! So ANDROMACHE HERMIONE FIRST MAID SECOND MAID ALCIMUS FIRST MAID PYRRHUS ANDROMACHE I — verily I liked it not — but I gave my word. Mother made me. You have just slain a man, and a woman can frighten you to promising your own dis- honour ? She did not frighten me ; she — I know not how she did it ! [ With a laugh.~\ Others can guess well enough how she did it ! [Muttering.'] Sorceress ! [The same.] Phrygian witch ! Hold your peace, little prating foxes ! Oh, we all know she has witched old Alcim- edon, long ago. [Half crying, as Pyrrhus stands gloomily silent^] I would not make atonement to them, Father, for all the world ! She has your word now, little fool; and mine likewise. — By the gods, woman, you have got your will, and shamed me in the eyes of all men. Master, your honour is more to me than mine own. This thing shames you not ; even Alcimedon deemed it wise and honourable. ANDROMACHE 5 1 HERMIONE ANDROMACHE FIRST MAID HERMIONE ANDROMACHE PYRRHUS HERMIONE PRIEST The boy is very young ; if he were a man, belike Is Alcimedon the judge of his lord's hon- our? But how should I ever seek to hurt your honour ? Why should I wish it ? [As Pyrrhus goes silently back to the throne,'] A barbarian woman never forgets a hurt. 'Tis the spite of a conquered Phrygian. Let her be, King ! She is thinking ever of her Hector, and Astyanax whom you slew ! My lord Peace, peace ! She knows well enough that Hector is dead — and beyond the seas too. Though I were shamed to the dirt in mine own hall, Hector would not hear of it ! Are you sure ? Hector himself is buried beyond the seas, but his ghost may have followed your ships to Phthia. [Coming up to the throne?^ Yea, son of Achilles, though you like not my counsel, there be witches in Phrygia that can wake the dead, and tell them of shame come to their enemies, or of 5 2 ANDROMACH E A LCI. MI'S There be none such in Phthia, old man 1 And if the dead should wake, your prating would soon set them to sleep again. . chter, in which PvRRHUS slightly joins. ' r is well said, Alcimedon ! These women and priest Nay, but I will speak ! ../ whom ecn Helen. Was she more beautiful than your Que [ Looking toward* H ERM 10 N I , then brighten - ing.] Nay, this is a woman like another; Helen ke, deathless and ageless for 61 [To himself ?\ Foi Helen I could have done- it .'.. . Alcimedon, did yonder woman ever do Helen any great wrong, anything meet for vengeance ? Andromache? Why. 'twas Helen did her all the wrong ! Kven so ; and therefore she must have hated her. Did she never seek, think you, to have Helen slain ? 53 I trow not : Why. she gave her home and [Br [Shaking off the Pi \ the hal I I I [e 'i the uui [ Gl ! ,un hut ,i • :. bat m\ 54 AND ROM AC" 11 E Take him the wine. [ They bring wine and a . There are two songs running in my this hour past: and I know not fully even yet which of the two is better. Let it be something joyful, meet for a I day. 1 fancied before that one of my 9 \vi\ joyful ; but now methinks there is n at all in either. | After looking at him questunungly for a moment.'] Then give US a _; father helped him iii his need. And Petopt, I.ord of Hellas, loved him well!" ALCIM1 [Gti4mbling.'\ /Eacus was no vassal of Pelops ! ii - " The son is weaker, weaker than the sire I And Peleus he begat, a goodly king; Albeit he stabbed his brother on the sand, And wandered from his house, and begged, and lied. And vowed a goddess held him to her breast." M ACB E [Murmurs m the hall. < iks. [ U> him fresh whiskers] A A ? [/n : I thr • foot. And. though r.< - d», i though he kepi hi* tent whf. his lotn» one ton true '' •lood I" \\ i ID ? .. | iher, [Ife snatches up the 5« A NDROMACHE ANDROMACHE ANDROMA4 111 y aid ANDROM M Hi III KV! HERW and growl. Hermione starts u/>, clasp- ing her head with both hands, and staring in terror before her. Orestes stays quietly seated. [Hushing be/ore PvRRHUS.] Your oath. C) King 1 Your pledged band : lie is our g [Checking himself suddenly , then turning upon her.] \\ ij ? You brought him here — you gave the barb to his mocking! [To the men.] Back, men! [To ANDROMACHE.] Who taught him to revile my hou- I have told him nothing. He has been talking hours and hours with the Lady Andromache I know him not. I think lie is mad. Bewitched, pen hancel [Murmurs of assent and dissent. Peace, hounds I | Sir Guest, this woman has saved you. else, oath or no oath, had I slain you where you stand! [Starting from her stupefaction.] What is that in the bowl ? What bowl? AND R O M A ( 59 l)Owl of your blood-.. [Pointing to it. then turns gave you this gold ? uld be slain. ■ I the ■ bin u ih.it r in his g . judgment 6o AN I) ROM ACHE ANDROMAI UK ALCIMKI.oN ANDROMACHE Al I IV. Judge me yourself, O Pyrrhus, son of Achilles ! even now, in your anger ; and I fear not. ( )h, my King, you who know me, say if I have hated you ! A witch has no right to speak. Let her be bound outside at the gate till she is judged. Not speak ? What law is this. Pi 1 Not a witch ! She will bind the King's heart, so that he cannot judge her. [After a moment's hesitation.'] By Zeus in en, it is the truth! I cannot judge her while she stands looking at me. woman ! — Nay, touch her not ! — Let her go to her own house. I go, my King. Yet if you slay me and to- morrow wake sorrowful, remember there is no cure for that sorrow ! \. m u in . Mother, I will come too! [Stopping Molossus at the door.] To sanc- tuary ! Not to your own house ! Take sanctuary, both, at the altar of Thetis, till his fur)' is over. t Molossus. [ Who during the interruption has mounted on the bench, taken the suit of arms from ANDROMACHE 61 the »x >'cw women and slew habes. Bui Mirl ; le; and fled, fled, fled!** [Tumult in hall. ■ '; thrust him . 1 Will DOtl I I the tgtmemnoi PYKki • ii: t hi hind him //. R. he lies : 62 AN I) ROM AC HE HKKMIONE A VOICE FROM IH1. WATCH- TOWER ALCIMEDON HKKMIONE HERM PYRRHU8 HERMION1 PYRRHUS This is some poor half-mad, wandering minstrel-man. I know him not. He is not Orestes ! There arc no men near the castle. Well, strike him down ! What profit to break the guest-oath for such as he ? He is not OresU Now. the Furies that haunt Orestes dog you, woman, if you lie ! [( )restes gives I If he be mad, it were a great sin to slay him. And the god has been strong in him to-day. [After gazing at ( ) k BSTES sieadily?^ M ay the Furies that haunt Orestes be ever with ine if I lie. [Recklessly^ Is that enough? If you would have another oath, behold, I will go this night to the altar of Thetis Hush, Queen, lest the goddess hear! [Continuing.'] And there by the altar I will swear oaths, and Thetis may work upon me what she will 1 Nay, daughter of Helen, no such wild words ! I mistrust you not. — Guest, get you gone in peace. A N I ' 63 IK VI [Subdued by mention of the Fur Us.] I go, not I ! un no \>ur.] '. your shield and helm- I Id will ryvr.] Apol' 1 back ! — . • >nc him fa urt ? >sessed ! Stricken r.* [Te> I sec n AND UK 65 T }\V THIRD A 4 . / i in Act I. N on the steps of the from the one after anot ; . r-med men, bows and arrows as they ■ ■ MAN-AT-ARMS ORESTES MAN YCS. W t from thfl h u.i\ Will jrc them ? 1 1 1 ■ .-. up. hip. m w ■ \ i UU Prince, we h.wc nur CM not. 66 ANDROMACHE MAN-AT-AKMS ANDROMACHE IKS ANDROMACHE ORESTES ANDROMACHE Nay, what worth is a dead body, or who can hurt it ? Hush! What was that? [Steals back to his ambush . AndROMACH I has made some movement. Oki peers towards Castle, U, in darkness , then, turning, sees that there is a woman at the altar. Daughter of I Men. why at the altar ? Whom do you feai \ Nil answer. He comes nearer and sees MOLOSSU8 lying.'] What docs the boy here ? It is the Strang tie you to seek me, or what more h;is chanced ? Is it you ? You ? — Is the boy ash We have waited here so long, and have heard no word, good or evil. But why hide you here ? We have taken sanctuary from the wrath of the King and Queen, my guest Call you me still your ^uest ? Nay. you are still my guest till you leave the land ; and the King's wrath will perchance be cooled to-morrow. ANDRO M.\ (•7 Why did you not i hall ? hurt to you. Speak, thin i \\ill hold :: that ipeak like this ? Ami •ke I not loud enough u hall ? stes. [A matt J. • it. fricn \d more than r and Priam and 68 ANDROMACHE ORESTES I know the battle, and I know the shame. I have seen nought else. ANDROMACHE The King has had but little sorrow ; he has conquered always, and taken glory in his manslaying. ORESTES Belike he will soon taste the other side of glory. ANDROMACHE It may be. Hut none here, save old Acinuis, know aught of suffering, l have long prayed that some man should COUIC here who had suffered from the hurts he had done, and learnt to pity men and women. And if the King's feet are set East and cannot be turned, at least there is my Woman, 1 am come to slay the King and your ANDROMACHE llmfy.] Slay them? Hut why? Why? To take their kingdom, as others have taken mine ! ANDROMACHE But is all the grief wasted that the gods have sent you ? Can you not forget past evils and live in peace ? ORESTES In storm I can forget them. Peace is all anguish to me. ANDROMACHE And what will a kingdom profit you ? A \ i » R ( ' 69 orestes kingdom. ■• it his plou^ with gladness, but m lg*i son. la the vol ind too. tbeti >t for plur. [1 be ei)< wr • m should I ' ORESTES litt!< \NI»KOM \( n ! _ ods. 7 o AND ROM AC II E ORESTES ANDROMACHE ORESTES INDROMACHE TES ANDROMACHE ANDROMACHK ANDRO" ORESTES ANDROMACHE Then what defence have you against me ? I need no defence. You and I are friends. How. friends! I am charged to slay you also. You will not slay me. How can you know what I myself know not yet ? You have no peace to see your own heart ; but I can see it. How have you learnt it? — Woman, they may well speak of your sorcer; I have no sorceries. \Y • slave-women are like dogs who read men's moodfl in their eyes and voices, because their moods bring life or death to us. Then why do you not fear me the more ? [Roughly.'] You have never seen my heart ! He who has seen beyond the glory of blood- shedding may soon see beyond the hardness of man's heart. [Troubled — roughly.'] I know my own heart ! The gods' hearts may be hard, but man's is tender ; only very hungry, and sore afraid, and wild as a hunted beast on the mountain. A N D R 1 7« I KMI. 'SI Know you your Oueen's heart \ tad ibc tl' perchance, that the gi ently — bt king the hands I: )ld. ■ k, hooded \i' ■ [To herself.] I I one } — Oh, I uiekly out from behind the I hood. — Y .\utiful ! II N quirk What i^ it ? Thai oath I iwore — 72 AN D ROM AC II K ORESTES You have not heard Them ? iikrmmm: I know not. There seemed shapes at the edge of the trees. ORESl Shapes ! [Looks at her close.'] No : you have not seen them. III-KM1 | With hi-n r.] Is the Ugh( of then written on men's 1 :a< Speak not of them ! — You have neither seen nor heard. 1 ILK Ml It is only now. and lure, that I am afraid. Take me to the ship now: and when once it is over When Pynhus is slain ? ill- Rlfl And the otlur — ! 'dittoing to him] — oh, then (hall be safe and at DC - 1 ES The boy? Why do you fear him ? IIKRMI [Absently.] The boy? He is the king's BOtt. i ES But why do you fear him ? HERMION1 It i.s not the boy I fear. I'ES Who, then ? HERMK It is the woman. ORESTES [Repelled?^ And what fear you from her? I care not to slay a woman and a child. AND II K 73 I can never breathe in peace while st, thei .j.] Wh.u has she done? [Sfli reo if I know it no h runs in my blood and .Ming. r.iv. I 11, ■ ;rt th.it. 1 .1 radiai* 74 ANDROMACHE ORESTES [Reflecting.] There is a radiance, although she is so sad. HKRMIONE Where got she that radiance ? It is not hers. It is the joy and sunlight she has sucked out of me ! ORESTES [Looking at her coldly.] I can see no cloud ID your face. IIKKMI [Passionately.'] No, no, you cannot see. I am rotting, shrivelling, dying within ; and only she can see how I die 1 All flesh must decay. Tell me one deed of hate she has done, and I will slay her. 111 KMInNl She has made me childless, that her child may he k 1'ES [To himself.'] And Helen never faded at all. Hl.kMIONE Childless, barren — barren of womb and of heart! — I had courage and strength to bear good sons, till she lapped it from me to feed her son. Nay, there is another thing — ORESTES [Coldly.] What? HKRMIONE No, no, you do not believe me ! I cannot say it. ORESTES You speak such wild things. CHE I know not why I im M wild now, and anger yoi: wild and cruel ; but now, I know not why this should come i IKS Irom- i the trcti by the '■ I in ■art Na\ ^ay 1 IKS wh.it b HI ■SUCK ■ 1 h.is no Eemi l ki m What CM I U 11 1 MB. IKS It .-.\\h 76 ANDROMACHE IIKRMIONE ANDROMACHE MIONE ORESTES HERMIONE ANDRUMAi UK INK. MIONE She has passed through death ! She has no fear, no anger, as the living have. Why does she never ask for anything? [Almost beside herself with terror^ Faugh ! the smell of death clings about all her garments ! Kill her, kill her! [Orestes looks at rixJLMIONE with a sh lul iter. HSRMIONE, breaking down, continues .] ( >h, friend, friend, I was not like this in Sparta. Queen, I know my heart is with the dead of Troy. Why should that anger you? [Looking a t HERMIONE.] In very truth there is a shadow come over you. You seem to DC shrunken, and sc aiee BO wondrous beautiful. [/// a weary frightened voice."] Kill her, kill her! I know not You have eyes. Can you not see there is a fiend working in me ? There is no fiend. Queen, Queen, why are you so full of hate ? T is your spells have done it ! Before I came here I never hated any one. [To Andromache.] Know you not any cause why she should hate you ? A ND II E io men h . fed that I will you ( Aw ' ■ . till we < II not Id DJtbiogl [ To hen elf. No i but I lu-.ir their win-s on the Wind I hoar QOthinj mnot be wi 78 ANDROMACHE ANDROMACHK HERMIONK -TES HONE HONE JIKK.M , HERMIONE There is no sound at all. fied. Be not so terri- I cannot stay here alone! Oh, I care not for the kingdom. We are exiles for ever, both ! Nay, if you love me 1 can bear anything ; if any one will love me. I know not if I love or hate you. It for your passing beauty I came, beeause your beaconed me through the dark of the - .1. Oh, take me; that is all the love 1 want ! Like those two star.s that men call Helen's brethren, immortal, never fading Oh, I am fading fast, but, perchance, if the Spell were off me [//is madness growing upon Aim.] Nay, shall never fade. There is a blue sunlit island, waterless, desolate — Hear me. daughter of Helen, ageless and deathless ! I hear. Some sunset when you are beautiful like a dream I will set you on that bright island, and fill my eyes full. And then I will go my ways 79 alone, and the fairest of earthly things shall be mine for HkKMl What do you BM - tht ■;. en. < >!.. • back.] I should '! that 1 • ' with I • 1 >) with mc what will. IRS DM. [Sound agatn.] that? PI KKI at tl: I ire all HI shrink* So A N D R M A CHE andromache [To MoLOSSUS.] Cling fast! [Rushing from the a I far towards Pyrrhus.] Hack, my king ! Keep back ! hkrmione [To Orestes, with a cry.] Now, n«>\v ! [Hides her MOLOSSUS [ Waking up slowly !\ Is that father coin- ing? pyrrhus [Entering arid grasping ANDROMACHE.] Think yon to die so easily ? You shall first and tell all! androma* There is an ambush I Keep back ! [Pyrrhus iih his sword . ' her. [ Looking up.] More tre a c h e r y ': Why is the son of Achilles away from the battle ? You ? Pirate I Because your men fled so East and so fa: rvants have chased them twenty furlongs from here. Yield! [Loud.] No man shoot nor stir ! [As before.] Your Myrmidons may be twenty furlongs from here ; my men are in these thickets to right and left. What sought you here ? Was it to slay Andromache ? A N I I 81 I >u^ht that when I i need more. [//e I your :rhm \» n t- [Close to PYRI I .uni .I the lion : 82 AN DROMACH E ORESTES HERM VOICE ANDROMACHE Hi RMIONE ANDROMACHE HERMIONE They hear you not. Go back ! [He grasps his spear for defence ; Pyrrhus draws his sword and starts fonvard. [As before.] Now ! Now ! [From behind the rocks.} Now, men Mycena,* ! [A shower of arrows strikes Pyrrhus. It is a murder, I coward's murder! [Pyrrhi to the altar and falls. AMD! OMACH1 bends over, tending him. Ifo ith i cry % snatches Pvr- Riii . who disarms him at a bfoio. Hold the boy ! Hurt him not! [In a stupffed tone.] His blood is running down the steps of the altar | Where is M . if you leave these do^s unpunished Nay, curse him not ! Oh, my lord, if you have ever loved him, curse him not ! Let him be free : he will do all that is well. [Faintly.'] Andromache ? . . . Ay, then, so be it. . . . It is the same in the end. [Dies. [As before.'] His blood is trickling into the mark of the footprint of Thetis! [Wildly.] ANDROMACHE 83 ORSSTES :rag him away, or it will 1 upon / n him. I will not toa • he. touch him not ; he will haunt you. I the is doing witch work in the £<•• but I will OB If I coul.i I O < I \ • [71» im. if he doei unit them that s\ w him. 11 He naSQOlj - .:id me. [A'iif>t,//\.\ Oh, 8 4 ANDROMACHE HKRV MAI HI HKRMIONE ANDROMACHE in (iod's name, it is too much! The sound of Their wings is all about me, and if I dared look, I know I should sec Their faces. It is more than one woman can bear. If he wakes I shall go mad ! It is done now. We will fly in the ship quickly ; he will never follow us over the seas. [As before.} She will show him the way ! Oh, she will have do pity I I have sought so long to slay her. She would not spai now for all the treasures of Egypt. 1 knew well 1 should have no peace till 1 saw her dead. — Oh, woman, woman ! bend not over him ; whisper to him DO more '. I will whisper no more ; I will cry aloud — in dead ears, as I have cried all my life! [To Pvkrhus.] thou who nearest me not, who hast never heard me. 1 call again to thee, let there at last be peace I If thou hast found thy sleep, oh, cling to it 1 Never wake nor stir to follow these who murdered thee ! What does she mean ? It is all magic, means that he is to follow us! She The living have never heard me, and the dead cannot hear; but broken and dying men know the words that I speak. Remember the ANI> CHE 85 one moment before utter death, when thine opened to see and th:; waste tore ! i him rema id follow ; Od in tin \tht till [With a shr: ■ • tlin^ him : 86 ANDROMACHE [She looks up and sees the sword ; sud- denly clutches it and moves towards Andkoma ANDROMACHE And afterward go and seek Hector, and he will tell thee more, for he was wiser and r than other men. And some day this woman, too, will be broken and dying ; and then she will see what thou and I have seen, and will knuw what mercy is. [HkrM stabs her.] Ah I [AND falls over the body of PYRRHUS. Ol land grasps 1 1 [To the men holding M >LOSSUS.] Hold this wild 1' I the boy free. [Orbs J together r the body n. The men-at-arms seize II 1 km ! MOLOSSUS Mother, 5p .ik : — Is she dead? i'ES but there is death in her face* iioi i Mother, mother, ape ies [Sta> | We know what she would say Young King of Phthia, I never sought to slay your father ; and for this woman, I would give all my wealth to have her alive A KDRO M A I 87 make atonement : take all my gold — [takes off his < n'fent] e in the hilt th d my [Throws down the d \ In a tifUggk I men brin. ■ breast or throat m.: ■ no with I I The men miK'e off with her. ng.] I will not [ The men drag /:.■ Ti a 011 Id 88 ANDROMACHE ANDROMACHE have more, here is my sword ; and here is my shield, and my helmet. [Jfe lays the arms one by one at MoLOSSUS* feet.] — My men are all gone. The rest is for you to take. [Looking at ANDROMACHE.] I will take no more. I will have peace. [Kneels down % bending over the body. Peace let it be ! — [ Half raising herself. ] 1 1 cctor 1 Hector ! TH1 KND ; THIS \ 1 1 1 Deacidtded using the Bookkeeper process Neutralizing agent: Magnesium Oxkje Treatment Date: July 2009 PreservationTechnologies A WORLD LEADER IN COLLECTIONS PRESERVATION 1 1 1 Thomson Par* Dnv» Cranberry Township. PA 16066 (724)779-2111 LIBRARY OF CONGRESS II 1 1 1 iiiiii 111 ii II inn in hi 014 709 318 4 B ■ iV-f '; , u- ! . : ■ ■ H