Part 3 (1/2)

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?

PRIEST.

Cannot a witch blind the eyes? He can see nothing, and will hearken to nothing. Even now he has taken the Trojan woman's b.a.s.t.a.r.d with him.

ORESTES.

Is Pyrrhus away from the land? Where?

PRIEST.

He has gone hunting in the hills yonder--[_pointing_]--and down to the fields of the Napaeans.

ORESTES.

When should he return?

PRIEST.

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 bunch of violets for Thetis_.] The witch woman is mad lest any hurt come to the boy!

ALCIMEDON.

Health to you, Priest, and discretion to your tongue!

PRIEST.

Health I accept, Alcimedon,--discretion to them that need it!

ORESTES.

[_To the_ PRIEST.] Why, what should bring hurt to the lad?

ALCIMEDON.

[_Carelessly, pa.s.sing on._] Jealousy stranger. Priests and barren women!

[_He pa.s.ses on to the altar, and then to the rock, where he puts his violets._

PRIEST.

Jealousy!

ORESTES.