Epeisodion 1
Andromache
Alike in Asia and in Hellas infamy attends base actions.
Hermione
Clever, clever quibbler! yet die thou must and shalt.
245
Andromache
Dost see the image of Thetis with her eye upon thee?
Hermione
A bitter foe to thy country because of the death of Achilles.
Andromache
’Twas not I that slew him, but Helen that mother of thine.
Hermione
Pray, is it thy intention to probe my wounds yet deeper?
Andromache
Behold, I am dumb, my lips are closed.
250
Hermione
Tell me that which was my only reason for coming hither.
Andromache
No! all I tell thee is, thou hast less wisdom than thou needest.
Hermione
Wilt thou leave these hallowed precincts of the sea-goddess?
Andromache
Yes, if I am not to die for it; otherwise, I never will.
Hermione
Since that is thy resolve, I shall not even wait my lord’s return.
255
Andromache
Nor yet will I, at any rate ere that, surrender to thee.
Hermione
I will bring fire to bear on thee, and pay no heed to thy entreaties.
Andromache
Kindle thy blaze then; the gods will witness it.
Hermione
And make thy flesh to writhe by cruel wounds.
Andromache
Begin thy butchery, stain the altar of the goddess with blood, for she will visit thy iniquity.
260
Hermione
Barbarian creature, hardened in impudence, wilt thou brave death itself? Still will I find speedy means to make thee quit this seat of thy free-will; such a bait have I to lure thee with. But I will hide my meaning,
which the event itself shall soon declare. Yes, keep thy seat, for I will make thee rise, though molten lead is holding thee there, before Achilles’ son, thy trusted champion, arrive. Exit Hermione.
265
Andromache
My trusted champion, yes! how strange it is, that, though some god hath devised cures for mortals against the venom of reptiles, no man ever yet hath discovered aught to cure a woman’s venom, which is far worse than viper’s sting or scorching flame; so terrible a curse are we to mankind.
