Part 23 (2/2)

ORESTES.

Do you trust to these G.o.ds? For I reck little of them.

ANDROMACHE.

Nay, my G.o.ds are vanished and powerless long ago, and these are but my enemies' G.o.ds.

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?

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.

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