Part 29 (1/2)

_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 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 G.o.ddess'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 G.o.d! 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.