Andromache Part 28

VOICE OF PYRRHUS.

Andromache! Ho! snake of Phrygia, starve at the altar if you will! Your plotters are all fled!

[ORESTES _stands in posture of defence_. HERMIONE _shrinks back_.

ANDROMACHE.

[_To_ MOLOSSUS.] Cling fast! [_Rus.h.i.+ng from the altar towards_ PYRRHUS.]

Back, my king! Keep back!

HERMIONE.

[_To_ ORESTES, _with a cry_.] Now, now!

[_Hides her face._

MOLOSSUS.

[_Waking up slowly._] Is that father coming?

PYRRHUS.

[_Entering and grasping_ ANDROMACHE.] Think you to die so easily? You shall speak first and tell all!

ANDROMACHE.

There is an ambus.h.!.+ Keep back!

[PYRRHUS _stands with his sword drawn over her_.

PYRRHUS.

[_Looking up._] More treachery?

ORESTES.

Why is the son of Achilles away from the battle?

PYRRHUS.

You? Pirate! Because your men fled so fast and so far. My servants have chased them twenty furlongs from here. Yield!

ORESTES.

[_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?

PYRRHUS.

I sought that when I came. Now I need more.

[_He poises his spear._ ANDROMACHE _slips back to_ MOLOSSUS _at the altar_.

ORESTES.

[_Not raising his spear._] Nay, it was I that should have slain Andromache. Go your ways! I only take back my own bride.

[_Pointing to_ HERMIONE, _whom_ PYRRHUS _now sees for the first time_.

PYRRHUS.

It _is_ Orestes!--But the queen vowed---- And that oath! Oh, perjured!

perjured!

HERMIONE.

[_To the rocks and thickets._] O ye in the ambush, strike him down!

Strike him down! Oh, what is that rus.h.i.+ng on the wind?

[_Puts her hands over her ears as though in terror._

ORESTES.

The oath is fulfilled upon her!

ANDROMACHE.

[_Close to_ PYRRHUS.] My lord, my lord, wait and let him speak. It is he that asks you, so there is no dishonour. [_He glares at her._] Nay, you may slay me after if I have done wrong. And his men are crowding behind these bushes and rocks.

PYRRHUS.

[_In a war chant._] The wolves set an ambush, set an ambush for the lion; and the lion feasted for many days! Ho, Myrmidons!

ORESTES.

They hear you not. Go back!

[_He grasps his spear for defence_; PYRRHUS _draws his sword and starts forward_.

VOICE.

[_From behind the rocks._] Now, men of Mycenae!

[_A shower of arrows strikes_ PYRRHUS.

ANDROMACHE.

It is a murder, a coward's murder!

[PYRRHUS _staggers to the altar and falls_. ANDROMACHE _bends over, tending him_. MOLOSSUS, _with a cry, s.n.a.t.c.hes_ PYRRHUS'