Andromache, Gilbert Murray [short books for teens .TXT] 📗
- Author: Gilbert Murray
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Andromache.
Hold your peace, traitor and coward! If I could bring him back, think you I would stay my voice for you?
Hermione.
O God! And the noise on the wind is nearer and nearer!
Orestes.
[To Hermione.] You did not slay him. Even if he does wake, he will only haunt them that slew him.
Hermione.
He saw them not; he knows them not. He has only seen you and me. [Rapidly.] Oh, in God's name, it is too much! The sound of Their wings is all about me, and if I dared look, I know I should see Their faces. It is more than one woman can bear. If he wakes I shall go mad!
Orestes.
It is done now. We will fly in the ship quickly; he will never follow us over the seas.
Hermione.
[As before.] She will show him the way! Oh, she will have no pity! I have sought so long to slay her. She would not spare me now for all the treasures of Egypt. I knew well I should have no peace till I saw her dead.—Oh, woman, woman! bend not over him; whisper to him no more!
Andromache.
I will whisper no more; I will cry aloud—in dead ears, as I have cried all my life! [To Pyrrhus.] O thou who hearest me not, who hast never heard me, I call again to thee, let there at last be peace! If thou hast found thy sleep, oh, cling to it! Never wake nor stir to follow these who murdered thee!
Hermione.
What does she mean? It is all magic. She means that he is to follow us!
Andromache.
The living have never heard me, and the dead cannot hear; but broken and dying men know the words that I speak. Remember the one moment before utter death, when thine eyes were opened to see and thine ears to hear. Remember that, and forget the long waste of days before!
Hermione.
She bids him remember!—He will awake. I can feel that he will wake and follow us!
Andromache.
By the bitter hate wherewith once I hated thee; by the blood in the streets of Troy and the death-cry of Hector's child; by the love wherewith I have loved thee in spite of all—[the body moves]—and love thee still——
Hermione.
[With a shriek.] O God! He is waking! [Grovelling in terror and hiding her eyes.] Oh, smite off his feet that he shall not pursue, and his hands that he may never lay hold of me!
Andromache.
Before thy soul is fled far away, hearken to me and put away thine hatred.
Hermione.
[As before.] Smite off his hands and his feet!
Orestes.
She is not crying him to waken. She is bidding him rest in peace and not harm us.
Hermione.
It cannot be that; it cannot. I have hated her too sore. It is all witchwork or else madness.
[She looks up and sees the sword; suddenly clutches it and moves towards Andromache.
Andromache.
And afterward go and seek Hector, and he will tell thee more, for he was wiser and greater 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 know what mercy is. [Hermione stabs her.] Ah!
[Andromache falls over the body of Pyrrhus. Orestes starts forward and grasps Hermione.
Orestes.
[To the men holding Molossus.] Hold this wild beast! Let the boy free.
[Orestes and Molossus bend together over the body of Andromache. The men-at-arms seize Hermione.
Molossus.
Mother, speak!—Is she dead?
Orestes.
No, but there is death in her face.
Molossus.
Mother, mother, speak!
Orestes.
[Standing up.] 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 again.—But I will make atonement: take all my gold—[takes off his chain, and throws it at Molossus' feet. Molossus stands silent]—and this dagger likewise. There is a bright stone in the hilt that keeps off the venom of snakes. [Molossus is still silent.] And my cloak was woven by women of Sidon. [Throws down the cloak.
Molossus.
[In a struggling sullen voice.] It was not you that slew her.
Orestes.
Is it the woman? There is your sword. [Picks it up and gives it him. To the men holding Hermione.] Hold back her arms, men, that the King may slay her as he will!
[The men bring forward Hermione, dazed and stupefied; they hold her so that either breast or throat may receive the sword.
Molossus.
Oh, take her away, or I will verily slay her! Let her never set foot upon this land again.
Orestes.
Begone with her to the ship! [The men move off with her.
Hermione.
[Suddenly struggling.] I will not go! Let me free! I will stay and he shall slay me! [The men drag her off.
Orestes.
And for mine own atonement. [He looks round.] Men, get you gone!—If you would have more, here is my sword; and here is my shield, and my helmet. [He lays the arms one by one at Molossus' feet.]—My men are all gone. The rest is for you to take.
Molossus.
[Looking at Andromache.] I will take no more. I will have peace. [Kneels down, bending over the body.
Orestes.
Peace let it be!—Her face seems strangely joyful.
Molossus.
I never saw her looking so full of happiness.
Andromache.
[Half raising herself, with a radiant smile.] Hector! Hector!
the end.
London & Edinburgh
Transcriber's Note
Original spelling and punctuation has been retained.
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