Scene: As in Act I. Night. Andromache on the steps of the altar of Thetis, with Molossus asleep. Enter from the back, one after another, three armed men, with bows and arrows as well as spears; they pass silently behind rocks or bushes and disappear. Enter Orestes, armed, by path at back: a Man comes from behind a rock to meet him.
Orestes.
Is the watch set?
Man-at-Arms.
Everywhere.
Orestes.
And the path to the ship safe?
Man-at-Arms.
Yes. We have but to wait till they are drawn off from the castle.
[Pg 83]
Orestes.
Which way will Pylades lure them?
Man-at-Arms.
He will feign flight northwards, to leave our way clear to the ship.
Orestes.
Good. One thing more. If I be stricken here, waste no men's lives for me. Make your way back to the ship.
Man-at-Arms.
Prince, we have our orders for this night's work from Pylades. We leave you not.
Orestes.
Nay, what worth is a dead body, or who can hurt it?
Man-at-Arms.
Hush! What was that?
[Steals back to his ambush. Andromache has made some movement. Orestes peers towards Castle, l., in darkness; then, turning, sees that there is a woman at the altar.
Orestes.
Daughter of Helen, why at the altar? Whom do[Pg 84] you fear so sore? [No answer. He comes nearer and sees Molossus lying.] What does the boy here?
Andromache.
It is the stranger! Come you to seek me, or what more has chanced?
Orestes.
Is it you? You?—Is the boy asleep?
Andromache.
We have waited here so long, and have heard no word, good or evil.
Orestes.
But why hide you here?
Andromache.
We have taken sanctuary from the wrath of the King and Queen, my guest.
Orestes.
Call you me still your guest?
Andromache.
Nay, you are still my guest till you leave the land; and the King's wrath will perchance be cooled to-morrow.
[Pg 85]
Orestes.
Why did you not let them slay me in the hall? 'Twas your own folly. I sought no hurt to you. Speak, think you an altar will hold me back, or your blood stain deeper than my mother's blood?
Andromache.
Who are you that speak like this? And what will my death profit you?
Orestes.
Spoke I not loud enough in my enemy's hall? I am Orestes.
Andromache.
[Amazed.] Clytmnestra's son! [Coming towards him.] Oh, now I understand your face! Give me your hand. Whether that old stain be yet purged or no——
Orestes.
'Tis hidden and buried, rather, with much new blood over it.[Keeping back his hand.
Andromache.
It is such a one as you I have long prayed for, to be a friend to my child and me.
[Pg 86]
Orestes.
Why should I be your friend? I want no friends.
Andromache.
Listen. You and I have had more grief than others. We have seen beyond the glory of battle, beyond the joy of the conqueror and the shame of the conquered—as Priam and Hector saw before they died.
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. But none here, save old Alcimus, know aught of suffering. I have long prayed that some man should come here who had suffered from the hurts he had done, and learnt to pity men and[Pg 87] women. And if the King's feet are set fast and cannot be turned, at least there is my son.
Orestes.
Woman, I am come to slay the King and your son!
Andromache.
[Calmly.] Slay them? But why? Why?
Orestes.
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?
Orestes.
I am a king's son; I must have my kingdom.
[Pg 88]
Andromache.
Oh, you kings and kings' sons, you dwell like wolves in your castles. I have heard many a ploughman at his ploughing sing with gladness, but seldom, seldom, a king's son.
Orestes.
Wolves must live in the wolves' way; and they have their own gladness, too.
Andromache.
You may know them by the howling of their misery in the night! God grant my boy may never be a king!
Orestes.
Shall I slay him, then, as they bid me? Or would you that I should take him away, where there are no kingdoms? My ship is in the bay, and lacks not for plunder.
Andromache.
Better that you should slay him now, where he lies.
Orestes.
Is he asleep? [He bends tenderly over Molossus; then recovers himself, and speaks in a harsh troubled voice.] Why is it that you fear me not?
[Pg 89]
Andromache.
Why should I fear you?
Orestes.
Do you trust to these gods? For I reck little of them.
Andromache.
Nay, my gods are vanished and powerless long ago, and these are but my enemies' gods.
Orestes.
Then what defence have you against me?
Andromache.
I need no defence. You and I are friends.
Orestes.
How, friends! I am charged to slay you also.
Andromache.
You will not slay me.
Orestes.
How can you know what I myself know not yet?
[Pg 90]
Andromache.
You have no peace to see your own heart; but I can see it.
Orestes.
How have you learnt it?—Woman, they may well speak of your sorceries!
Andromache.
I have no sorceries. This is a simple thing. We slaves learn to read men's moods in their eyes and voices, because their moods bring life or death to us.
Orestes.
Then why do you not fear me the more?[Roughly.]
You have never seen my heart!
Andromache.
He who has seen beyond the glory of bloodshedding may soon see beyond the hardness of man's heart.
Orestes.
[Troubled—roughly.] I know my own heart!
Andromache.
The gods' hearts may be hard, but man's is tender;[Pg 91] only very hungry, and sore afraid, and wild as a hunted beast on the mountain.
Orestes.
Know you your Queen's heart?
Andromache.
Not hard, but starving. And she thinks, perchance, that the grief of others will feed it.
Orestes.
[Absently—bending and touching the boy's hands.] He is very cold.
Enter Hermione, hooded and wrapped, hurriedly.
Hermione.
[To herself.] Is there no one?—Oh, I dare not!
[Orestes steps quickly out from behind the trees. Hermione starts in terror.
Orestes.
Welcome, daughter of Helen!
[Hermione does not answer, but stands, breathing hardy with relief.
[Pg 92]
Orestes.
Throw back your hood.—Ye gods, she is passing beautiful!
Hermione.
Take me quick to the ship. Quick, quick!
Orestes.
It is not yet time. My men must draw Pyrrhus away from the castle.
Hermione.
He has gone. Nay, take me quick—Orestes——
Orestes.
Why do you tremble so? What is it?
Hermione.
That oath I swore——
Orestes.
You have not heard Them?
Hermione.
I know not. There seemed shapes at the edge of the trees.
[Pg 93]
Orestes.
Shapes! [Looks at her close.] No; you have not seen them.
Hermione.
[With horror.] Is the sight of them written on men's faces?
Orestes.
Speak not of them!—You have neither seen nor heard.
Hermione.
It is only now, and here, that I am afraid. Take me to the ship now; and when once it is over——
Orestes.
When Pyrrhus is slain?
Hermione.
And the other—[clinging to him]—oh, then we shall be safe and at peace.
Orestes.
The boy? Why do you fear him?
Hermione.
[Absently.] The boy? He is the king's son.
[Pg 94]
Orestes.
But why do you fear him?
Hermione.
It is not the boy I fear.
Orestes.
Who, then?
Hermione.
It is the woman.
Orestes.
[Repelled.] And what fear you from her? I care not to slay a woman and a child.
Hermione.
I can never breathe in peace while she is there!
Orestes.
[Sternly.] What has she done?
Hermione.
[Speaking in vague, troubled tones.] When she is near me, even if I know it not, her breath runs in my blood and makes me tremble.[She is trembling.
[Pg 95]
Orestes.
Be still! Say what she has done. If she has done you a wrong I will slay her.
Hermione.
[In the same way.] I might have borne her eyes perchance in my own country, with friends near me; but here, all alone——
Orestes.
What has she done?
Hermione.
[In the same way.] I meant no hurt to her for her sharing the king's bed. But when first I saw her and she looked straight into me, there was something that turned my heart sick and dimmed my eyes.
Orestes.
How can I slay her for dreams like these? I know nought of your heart, but I can see your beauty. She has not hurt that.
Hermione.
Can you not see a dimness over my face, where it once was bright—and a radiance in hers?
[Pg 96]
Orestes.
[Reflecting.] There is a radiance, although she is so sad.
Hermione.
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 in your face.
Hermione.
[Passionately.] No, no, you cannot see. I am rotting, shrivelling, dying within; and only she can see how I die!
Orestes.
All flesh must decay. Tell me one deed of hate she has done, and I will slay her.
Hermione.
She has made me childless, that her child may be king!
Orestes.
[To himself.] And Helen never faded at all.
Hermione.
Childless, barren—barren of womb and of heart!—I[Pg 97] had courage and strength to bear good sons, till she sapped it from me to feed her son. Nay, there is another thing——
Orestes.
[Coldly.] What?
Hermione.
No, no, you do not believe me! I cannot say it.
Orestes.
You speak such wild things.
Hermione.
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?
[Pg 98]
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 passed through death! She has no fear, no anger, as the living have. Why does she never[Pg 99] 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?
[Pg 100]
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 ship? 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?
[Pg 101]
Orestes.
My kingdom must be an ever-changing kingdom. I dreamed for an hour that I might stay and rest like other men.
Hermione.
And why not?
Orestes.
There be Those watching that will not let me rest.
Hermione.
Those watching? But you have not seen them? I have not seen anything![To herself.
Orestes.
Not now. Few men have ever seen them; but I hear their wings on the wind. And perchance if I stayed long in one place——
Hermione.
I hear nothing. [Listening.] No, it cannot be wings on the wind! Oh!
Andromache.
Nay, there is no sound at all. Be not so terrified.
[Pg 102]
Hermione.
I cannot stay here alone! Oh, I care not for the kingdom.
Orestes.
We are exiles for ever, both!
Hermione.
Nay, if you love me I can bear anything; if any one will love me.
Orestes.
I know not if I love or hate you. It was for your passing beauty I came, because your eyes beaconed me through the dark of the sea.
Hermione.
Oh, take me; that is all the love I want!
Orestes.
Like those two stars that men call Helen's brethren, immortal, never fading——
Hermione.
Oh, I am fading fast, but, perchance, if the spell were off me——
[Pg 103]
Orestes.
Nay, you shall never fade. There is a blue sunlit island, waterless, desolate—Hear me, daughter of Helen, ageless and deathless!
Hermione.
I hear.
Orestes.
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 alone, and the fairest of earthly things shall be mine for ever.
Hermione.
What do you mean?
Orestes.
No man shall ever see you fade from your loveliness. The gods may take you even as they took Helen.
Andromache.
Oh, he is mad! Queen, Queen, go back while there is time.
Hermione.
[Shrinking back.] I should die! I am afraid!
[Pg 104]
Orestes.
Die? Of that I know not. Only never, never fade; perfect for ever without age or waning! Daughter of Helen, will you come with me?[A sound of arms outside. They start.
Hermione.
Oh, quick! I am yours. Do with me what you will.
Orestes.
Come. [Sound again.] What is that?
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! [Rushing from the altar towards Pyrrhus.] Back, my king! Keep back!
Hermione.
[To Orestes, with a cry.] Now, now![Hides her face.
[Pg 105]
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 ambush! 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[Pg 106] 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 rushing on the wind?
[Puts her hands over her ears as though in terror.
[Pg 107]
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 Mycen![A shower of arrows strikes Pyrrhus.
Andromache.
It is a murder, a coward's murder!
[Pyrrhus staggers to the altar and falls. [Pg 108]Andromache bends over, tending him. Molossus, with a cry, snatches Pyrrhus' sword and flies at Orestes, who disarms him at a blow.
Orestes.
Hold the boy! Hurt him not!
Hermione.
[In a stupefied tone.] His blood is running down the steps of the altar!
Pyrrhus.
Where is Molossus? Boy, if you leave these dogs unpunished——
Andromache.
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.
Pyrrhus.
[Faintly.] Andromache? Ay, then, so be it. It is the same in the end. I am glad I did not slay you, Andromache.[Dies.
Hermione.
[As before.] His blood is trickling into the mark of the footprint of Thetis! [Wildly.] Ah, drag him[Pg 109] away, or it will be a curse upon us! He must not die at the altar!
Orestes.
I never slew him. I will not touch a man dying at an altar. Andromache, touch him not; he will haunt you.
Hermione.
She is not afraid of the haunting of the dead. See, she is whispering in his ear. She is doing witchwork to bring him back. [Crossing to Andromache, who is still bending over Pyrrhus' body, and kneeling to her.] Nay, in the goddess's name, Andromache, do not wake him! I have wronged you much, but I will make amends; I will set you free. He would never have done that. Only, do not whisper to him! Do not call him back to haunt me!
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!
[Pg 110]
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[Pg 111] 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[Pg 112] 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[Pg 113] 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[Pg 114] 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.
[Pg 115]
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.
[Pg 116]
Molossus.
I never saw her looking so full of happiness.
Andromache.
[Half raising herself, with a radiant smile.] Hector! Hector!
the end.
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