Andromache [13]
the time, but, when my plot begins to work, Delphi's rock will witness it. If but my allies in the Pythian land abide by their oaths, this same murderer of his mother will show that no one else shall marry thee my rightful bride. To his cost will he demand satisfaction of King Phoebus for his father's blood; nor shall his repentance avail him though he is now submitting to the god. No! he shall perish miserably by Apollo's hand and my false accusations; so shall he find out my enmity. For the deity upsets the fortune of them that hate him, and suffers them not to be high-minded. (ORESTES and HERMIONE depart.) CHORUS (singing)
strophe 1
O Phoebus! who didst fence the hill of Ilium with a fair coronal of towers, and thou, ocean-god! coursing o'er the main with thy dark steeds, wherefore did ye hand over in dishonour your own handiwork to the war-god, master of the spear, abandoning Troy to wretchedness?
antistrophe 1
Many a well-horsed car ye yoked on the banks of Simois, and many a bloody tournament did ye ordain with never a prize to win; and Ilium's princes are dead and gone; no longer in Troy is seen the blaze of fire on altars of the gods with the smoke of incense.
strophe 2
The son of Atreus is no more, slain by the hand of his wife, and she herself hath paid the debt of blood by death, and from her children's hands received her doom. The god's own bidding from his oracle was levelled against her, in the day that Agamemnon's son set forth from Argos and visited his shrine; so he slew her, aye, spilt his own mother's blood. O Phoebus, O thou power divine, how can I believe the story?
antistrophe 2
Anon wherever Hellenes gather, was heard the voice of lamentation, mothers weeping o'er their children's fate, as they left their homes to mate with strangers. Ah! thou art not the only one, nor thy dear ones either, on whom the cloud of grief hath fallen. Hellas had to bear the visitation, and thence the scourge crossed to Phrygia's fruitful fields, raining the bloody drops the death-god loves. (PELEUS enters in haste.) PELEUS Ye dames of Phthia, answer my questions. I heard a vague rumour that the daughter of Menelaus had left these halls and fled; so now I am come in hot haste to learn if this be true; for it is the duty of those who are at home to labour in the interests of their absent friends. LEADER OF THE CHORUS Thou hast heard aright, O Peleus; ill would it become me to hide the evil case in which I now find myself; our queen has fled and left these halls. PELEUS What did she fear? explain that to me. LEADER She was afraid her lord would cast her out. PELEUS In return for plotting his child's death? surely not? LEADER Yea, and she was afraid of yon captive. PELEUS With whom did she leave the house? with her father? LEADER The son of Agamemnon came and took her hence. PELEUS What view hath he to further thereby? Will he marry her? LEADER Yes, and he is plotting thy grandson's death. PELEUS From an ambuscade, or meeting him fairly face to face? LEADER In the holy place of Loxias, leagued with Delphians. PELEUS God help us. This is a present danger. Hasten one of you with all speed to the Pythian altar and tell our friends there what has happened here, ere Achilles' son be slain by his enemies. (A MESSENGER enters.) MESSENGER Woe worth the day! what evil tidings have I brought for thee, old sire, and for all who love my master! woe is me! PELEUS Alas! my prophetic soul hath a presentiment. MESSENGER Aged Peleus, hearken! Thy grandson is no more; so grievously is he smitten by the men of Delphi and the stranger from Mycenae. LEADER
strophe 1
O Phoebus! who didst fence the hill of Ilium with a fair coronal of towers, and thou, ocean-god! coursing o'er the main with thy dark steeds, wherefore did ye hand over in dishonour your own handiwork to the war-god, master of the spear, abandoning Troy to wretchedness?
antistrophe 1
Many a well-horsed car ye yoked on the banks of Simois, and many a bloody tournament did ye ordain with never a prize to win; and Ilium's princes are dead and gone; no longer in Troy is seen the blaze of fire on altars of the gods with the smoke of incense.
strophe 2
The son of Atreus is no more, slain by the hand of his wife, and she herself hath paid the debt of blood by death, and from her children's hands received her doom. The god's own bidding from his oracle was levelled against her, in the day that Agamemnon's son set forth from Argos and visited his shrine; so he slew her, aye, spilt his own mother's blood. O Phoebus, O thou power divine, how can I believe the story?
antistrophe 2
Anon wherever Hellenes gather, was heard the voice of lamentation, mothers weeping o'er their children's fate, as they left their homes to mate with strangers. Ah! thou art not the only one, nor thy dear ones either, on whom the cloud of grief hath fallen. Hellas had to bear the visitation, and thence the scourge crossed to Phrygia's fruitful fields, raining the bloody drops the death-god loves. (PELEUS enters in haste.) PELEUS Ye dames of Phthia, answer my questions. I heard a vague rumour that the daughter of Menelaus had left these halls and fled; so now I am come in hot haste to learn if this be true; for it is the duty of those who are at home to labour in the interests of their absent friends. LEADER OF THE CHORUS Thou hast heard aright, O Peleus; ill would it become me to hide the evil case in which I now find myself; our queen has fled and left these halls. PELEUS What did she fear? explain that to me. LEADER She was afraid her lord would cast her out. PELEUS In return for plotting his child's death? surely not? LEADER Yea, and she was afraid of yon captive. PELEUS With whom did she leave the house? with her father? LEADER The son of Agamemnon came and took her hence. PELEUS What view hath he to further thereby? Will he marry her? LEADER Yes, and he is plotting thy grandson's death. PELEUS From an ambuscade, or meeting him fairly face to face? LEADER In the holy place of Loxias, leagued with Delphians. PELEUS God help us. This is a present danger. Hasten one of you with all speed to the Pythian altar and tell our friends there what has happened here, ere Achilles' son be slain by his enemies. (A MESSENGER enters.) MESSENGER Woe worth the day! what evil tidings have I brought for thee, old sire, and for all who love my master! woe is me! PELEUS Alas! my prophetic soul hath a presentiment. MESSENGER Aged Peleus, hearken! Thy grandson is no more; so grievously is he smitten by the men of Delphi and the stranger from Mycenae. LEADER