Part 19 (1/2)

”Great were our sires, and feeble folk are we!

A strong king and a wise was aeacus, And Zeus his father helped him in his need, And Pelops, Lord of h.e.l.las, loved him well!”

ALCIMEDON.

[_Grumbling._] aeacus was no va.s.sal of Pelops!

ORESTES.

”The son is weaker, weaker than the sire!

And Peleus he begat, a goodly king; Albeit he stabbed his brother on the sand, And wandered from his house, and begged, and lied, And vowed a G.o.ddess held him to her breast.”

[_Murmurs in the hall._ ORESTES _pauses and drinks_.

PYRRHUS.

[_Under his breath._] Does the man seek for strife?

ORESTES.

”The son is falser, falser than the sire!”----

HERMIONE.

Perchance his wine likes him not. [_Goes down to_ ORESTES, _pours him fresh wine, and whispers_.] Are you mad?

ORESTES.

[_In the same tone, looking in her face._] Knew you not that, long ago?

[_Continuing, while she goes back to the throne._

”Achilles, Peleus' son, was swift of foot, And slew by guile great Hector, and was slain.

And, though he hid from war in woman's weeds, And though he kept his tent while others fought, Yet gat he from his loins one son true born, And craved not mercy, gave not gifts for blood!”

PYRRHUS.

What does the dog mean?

ORESTES.

”The son is viler, viler than the sire!”

PYRRHUS.

[_Starting up._] By all my fathers together, this is the end! Ho, Myrmidons!

[_He s.n.a.t.c.hes up the spear and s.h.i.+eld of_ MOLOSSUS. _The other men take arms and growl._ HERMIONE _starts up, clasping her head with both hands, and staring in terror before her_. ORESTES _stays quietly seated_.

ANDROMACHE.