Andromache Part 26

I know not why I am so wild now, and anger you.--When she is near, it makes me wild and cruel; but now, I know not why this should come over me.

ORESTES.

Great Zeus! if it should be true!--Andromache, Andromache, speak and answer her.

HERMIONE.

Is she here? [ANDROMACHE _comes out from the trees by the altar_.]

Averter of Evil, what is that?

ANDROMACHE.

I am but your handmaid, I have done you no hurt.

HERMIONE.

Nay, now you can see it--the thing I dared not say!

ORESTES.

What is it?

HERMIONE.

She is no live woman! See! she is dead and sucks the blood of the living. Why is she not afraid, like a live woman?

ORESTES.

[_Troubled._] She is deathly white. Why she has no fear I know not.

ANDROMACHE.

What can I answer? The King might slay me, but not this man.

ORESTES.

It was the same but now, when I held death over her.

HERMIONE.

She has pa.s.sed 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_ HERMIONE _with a shudder_. HERMIONE, _breaking down, continues_.] Oh, friend, friend, I was not like this in Sparta.

ANDROMACHE.

Queen, I know my heart is with the dead of Troy. Why should that anger you?

ORESTES.

[_Looking at_ HERMIONE.] In very truth there is a shadow come over you.

You seem to be shrunken, and scarce so wondrous beautiful.

HERMIONE.

[_In a weary frightened voice._] Kill her, kill her!

ORESTES.

I know not----

HERMIONE.

You have eyes. Can you not see there is a fiend working in me?

ANDROMACHE.

There is no fiend. Queen, Queen, why are you so full of hate?

HERMIONE.

'Tis your spells have done it! Before I came here I never hated any one.

ORESTES.

[_To_ ANDROMACHE.] Know you not any cause why she should hate you?

ANDROMACHE.

Nay, stranger, why _do_ men hate?

HERMIONE.

She has made me feel that I am vile. Slay her, or I go back to the King.

ORESTES.

Pyrrhus most like is dead. If I do slay her will you come away with me?

HERMIONE.

Away? To the s.h.i.+p? Yes; till we come back and take the kingdom!

ORESTES.

I will not take your kingdom!

HERMIONE.

Is it the boy you fear to slay?