What ruin have I shunned! The Greeks, enraged, Phan. Oh, my royal master! The gods, in favour to you, made her cruel. Pyr. Thou saw'st with how much scorn she treated me! When I permitted her to see her son, I hoped it might have worked her to my wishes. I went to see the mournful interview, And found her bathed in tears, and lost in pas sion. Wild with distress, a thousand times she called 'Tis he himself! his eyes, his very features! But let her go, for an ungrateful woman! Pyr. I know the thoughts of her proud stubborn heart: Vain of her charms, and insolent in beauty, She mocks my rage; and, when it threatens loudest, Expects 'twill soon be humbled into love. But we shall change our parts; and she shall find I can be deaf, like her; and steel my heart, Phan. My royal master, talk of her no more; I do not like this anger. Your Hermione Should now engross your thoughts. 'Tis time to see her; "Tis time you should prepare the nuptial rites, And not rely upon a rival's care; It may be dangerous. Pyr. But tell me, Phoenix, Dost thou not think, the proud Andromaché Will be enraged, when I shall wed the princess? Phan. Why does Andromache still haunt your thoughts? What is't to you, be she enraged or pleased? Let her name perish: think of her no more. Pyr. No, Phoenix!-I have been too gentle with her, In bitterness of heart, reproach my name! Phan. Alas, you threaten like a lover still! Pyr. Phoenix, excuse this struggle of my soul: 'Tis the last effort of expiring love. Phan. Then hasten, sir, to see the Spartan princess, And turn the bent of your desires on her. Pyr. Oh! 'tis a heavy task to conquer love, And wean the soul from her accustomed food Pyl. For Heaven's sake, sir, compose your ruffled mind, And moderate your rage ! This is no time for counsel. -I am deaf. Talk not of reason! I have been too patient. I'll bear her off, or perish in the attempt. But still consider, we are in Epirus. These outrages of fate, with temper! blame. Could you but look into the soul of Pyrrhus, From this proud king, had made Orestes happy. Orest. Did I not see Her hate, her rage, her indignation rise Pyl. Believe me, prince, 'Twas then she loved him most. Had Pyrrhus left her, She would have formed some new pretext to stay. Take my advice:-Think not to force her hence; But fly yourself from her destructive charms. Her soul is linked to Pyrrhus: Were she yours, She would reproach you still, and still regret Her disappointed nuptials. | | Orest. Talk no more! I cannot bear the thought! She must be mine! Orest. Oh, Pylades! My grief weighs heavy on me :-"Twill distract me! O leave me to myself!-Let not thy friendship Pyl. Lead on, my friend, lead on! No danger can deter a friend :-Lead on! train: The ships are ready, and the wind sits fair: Orest. Thou art too good! I trespass on thy But, oh ! excuse a wretch, whom no man pities, The treasure of his soul: whom all mankind Pyl. The question is unkind. But now re- To keep your counsels close, and hide your thoughts; Let not Hermione suspect-no more- Orest. Away, my friend; I am advised; my all depends upon it. [Erit PYL. Orest. And are you, madam, willing to comply? Her. Could I imagine Pyrrhus loved me still! After so long delays, who would have thought His hidden flames would shew themselves at last, And kindle in his breast, when mine expired? I can suppose, with you, he fears the Grecks; That it is interest, and not love, directs him; And that my eyes had greater power o'er you. Orest. No, princess, no! It is too plain he loves you. Your eyes do what they will, and cannot fail Can I refuse what is not mine to give? All have a right to please themselves in love: Her. Cleone, could'st thou think he'd be so calm? Cleo. Madam, his silent grief sits heavy on him He's to be pitied. His too eager love Her. Dost thou think Pyrrhus capable of fear ! Whom should the intrepid Pyrrhus fear? the Greeks? Did he not lead their harassed troops to conquest, When they despaired, when they retired from And sought for shelter in their burning fleets? He acts unforced; and where he weds he loves. Her. Wilt thou discourse of nothing but Pyrrhus is mine again !-Is mine for ever! hus! -Oh, I could tell thee mumberless exploits, And tire thee with his battles-Oh, CleoneCleo. Madam, conceal your joy-I see Andromache: She weeps, and comes to speak her sorrows to you. Her. I would indulge the gladness of my heart! Let us retire: her grief is out of season. Enter ANDROMACHE and CEPHISA. Andr. Ah, madam, whither, whither do you fly Where can your eyes behold a sight more plea sing Than Hector's widow suppliant and in tears? fears. Her. Madam, 'tis easy to conceive your grief: But it would ill become me to solicit In contradiction to my father's will: 'Tis he who urges to destroy your son. Madam, if Pyrrhus must be wrought to pity, No woman does it better than yourself; If y f you gain him, I shall comply of course. [Ereunt HER. and CLEONE. Andr. Didst thou not mind with what disdain she spoke? Youth and prosperity have made her vain; Ceph. Madam, were I as you, I'd take her counsel. Pyr. Come, let us satisfy The Greeks, and give them up this Phrygian boy. Andr. Ah, sir! recall those words--What have you said! If you give up my son, oh, give up me! You, who so many times have sworn me friendship: Oh, Heavens-Will you not look with pity on me? Is there no hope? Is there no room for pardon? Pyr. Phoenix will answer you: my word is past. Andr. You, who would brave so many dangers for me! Pyr. I was your lover then: I now am free. To favour you, I might have spared his life: But you would ne'er vouchsafe to ask it of me. Now, 'tis too late. Andr. Ah, sir, you understood My tears, my wishes, which I durst not utter, Pyr. No! in your heart you curse me! you disdain My generous flame, and scorn to be obliged! You hate me more than the whole league of But I shall leave you to your great resentments. Let us go, Phoenix, and appease the Greeks. Andr. Then, let me die! and let me go to Hector! Ceph. But, madam Andr. What can I do more? The tyrant Sees my distraction, and insults my tears. [7% СЕРН. -Behold how low you have reduced a queen! These eyes have seen my country laid in ashes; My kindred fall in war; my father slain; My husband dragged in his own blood; my son Condemned to bondage, and myself a slave: Yet, in the midst of these unheard-of woes, 'Twas some relief to find myself your captive; And that my son, derived from ancient kings, Since he must serve, had Pyrrhus for his master. When Priam kneeled, the great Achilles wept: I hoped I should not find his son dess noble; I thought the brave were still the most compas sionate. Oh, do not, sir, divide me from my child! Pyr. Phoenix, withdraw a while. [Erit PHOENIX. Rise, madam-Yet you may preserve your son. I find whenever I provoke your tears, I furnish you with arms against myself. I thought my hatred fixed before I saw you. Oh, turn your eyes upon me, while I speak, And see, if you discover in my looks An angry judge, or an obdurate foe! Why will you force me to desert your cause? In your son's name I beg we may be friends; VOL. I. Let me intreat you to secure his life! Ceph. I told you, madam, that, in spite of Greece, You would o'er-rule the malice of your fortune. Andr. Alas! Cephisa, what have I obtained! Only a poor short respite for my son. Ceph. You have enough approved your faith To be reluctant still would be a crime. Ceph. Think you, 'twill please the ghost of your dead husband, That you should sacrifice his son? Consider, Andr. But how can I forget it! How can I I see him hew his passage through my brothers; And, bathed in blood, lay all my kindred waste. Think, in this scene of horror, what I suffered! This is the courtship I received from Pyrrhus; And this the husband thou wouldst give me! No, We both will perish first! I'll ne'er consent. Ceph. Since you resolve Astyanax shall die, Haste to the temple, bid your son farewell. Why do you tremble, madam? Andr. O Cephisa! Thou hast awakened all the mother in me. When his too-forward courage led him forth Ceph. Oh, the unhappy hour! 'Twas then Troy fell, and all her gods forsoo her. Andr. That morn, Cephisa, that ill-fated mo 2 T My husband bid thee bring Astyanax; At once extirpate all the Trojan line? Andr. Inhuman king! What has he done to suffer? If I neglect your vows, is he to blame? But dost thou think he means the child shall die! Andr. Well then, assure him- power. Oh, my dead lord! Oh, Priam's royal house! And what does your unsettled heart resolve? Has he reproached you with his slaughtered kin- The ashes of my hero lie inclosed; dred? Can he resent those ills he does not know? No, no, thou must not die, while I can save thee; Ceph. What must I say to him? Andr. Tell him I love my son to such excess The dear remains, which I have saved from Tro ACT IV. Just now renew the oft-repeated promise. Ceph. Already in the transports of his heart, Andr. I think I may rely upon his promise: To all the Greeks; and, to protect your son Leaving himself defenceless for his sake: son. Ceph. Madam, you need not now be anxious He will be always with you, all your own, A son, who grows no longer up in bondage, Andr. Oh, I must see my son once more, Ce Ceph. Madam, he now will be no more a c Your visits may be frequent as you please. more! Cephisa, I have always found thee faithful: Andr. I soon shall exercise thy long-triel Meanwhile I do conjure thee, my Cephisa, Ceph. Madain, I have no will but yours. M life Is nothing, balanced with my love to you. tyanax Will recompence thy friendship to his mother. Enter HERMIONE and CLEONE |