Andromache [6]
you who dwell by the Eurotas? MENELAUS Yes, and amongst Trojans too, that those who suffer should retaliate. ANDROMACHE Thinkest thou God's hand is shortened, and that thou wilt not be punished? MENELAUS Whene'er that comes, I am ready to bear it. But thy life will I have. ANDROMACHE Wilt likewise slay this tender chick, whom thou hast snatched from 'neath my wing? MENELAUS Not I, but I will give him to my daughter to slay if she will. ANDROMACHE Ah me! why not begin my mourning then for thee, my child? MENELAUS Of a truth 'tis no very sure hope that he has left. ANDROMACHE O citizens of Sparta, the bane of all the race of men, schemers of guile, and masters in lying, devisers of evil plots, with crooked minds and tortuous methods and ne'er one honest thought, 'tis wrong that ye should thrive in Hellas. What crime is wanting in your list? How rife is murder with you! How covetous ye are! One word upon your lips, another in your heart, this is what men always find with you. Perdition catch ye! Still death is not so grievous, as thou thinkest, to me. No! for my life ended in the day that hapless Troy was destroyed with my lord, that glorious warrior, whose spear oft made a coward like thee quit the field and seek thy ship. But now against a woman hast thou displayed the terrors of thy panoply, my would-be murderer. Strike then! for this my tongue shall never flatter thee or that daughter of thine. For though thou wert of great account in Sparta, why so was I in Troy. And if I am now in sorry plight, presume not thou on this; thou too mayst be so yet. (MENELAUS and his guards lead ANDROMACHE out.) CHORUS (singing)
strophe 1
Never, oh! never will I commend rival wives or sons of different mothers, a cause of strife, of bitterness, and grief in every house. would have a husband content with one wife whose rights he shareth with no other.
antistrophe 1
Not even in states is dual monarchy better to bear than undivided rule; it only doubles burdens and causes faction amongst the citizens. Often too will the Muse sow strife 'twixt rivals in the art of minstrelsy.
strophe 2
Again, when strong winds are drifting mariners, the divided counsel of the wise does not best avail for steering, and their collective wisdom has less weight than the inferior mind of the single man who has sole authority; for this is the essence of power alike in house and state, whene'er men care to find the proper moment.
antistrophe 2
This Spartan, the daughter of the great chief Menelaus, proves this; for she hath kindled hot fury against a rival, and is bent on slaying the hapless Trojan maid and her child to further her bitter quarrel. 'Tis a murder gods and laws and kindness all forbid. Ah! lady, retribution for this deed will yet visit thee. But lo! before the house I see those two united souls, condemned to die. Alas! for thee, poor lady, and for thee, unhappy child, who art dying on account of thy mother's marriage, though thou hast no share therein and canst not be blamed by the royal house.
(ANDROMACHE enters, her arms bound. Her son clings to her. MENELAUS and the guards follow, intent on accomplishing the murder. The following lines are chanted responsively.)
ANDROMACHE Behold me journeying on the downward path, my hands so tightly bound with cords that they bleed. MOLOSSUS O mother, mother mine! I too share thy downward path, nestling 'neath thy wing. ANDROMACHE A cruel sacrifice! ye rulers of Phthia! MOLOSSUS Come, father! succour those thou lovest. ANDROMACHE Rest there, my babe, my darling! on thy mother's bosom, e'en in death and in the grave. MOLOSSUS Ah, woe is me! what will become of me and thee too, mother mine?
strophe 1
Never, oh! never will I commend rival wives or sons of different mothers, a cause of strife, of bitterness, and grief in every house. would have a husband content with one wife whose rights he shareth with no other.
antistrophe 1
Not even in states is dual monarchy better to bear than undivided rule; it only doubles burdens and causes faction amongst the citizens. Often too will the Muse sow strife 'twixt rivals in the art of minstrelsy.
strophe 2
Again, when strong winds are drifting mariners, the divided counsel of the wise does not best avail for steering, and their collective wisdom has less weight than the inferior mind of the single man who has sole authority; for this is the essence of power alike in house and state, whene'er men care to find the proper moment.
antistrophe 2
This Spartan, the daughter of the great chief Menelaus, proves this; for she hath kindled hot fury against a rival, and is bent on slaying the hapless Trojan maid and her child to further her bitter quarrel. 'Tis a murder gods and laws and kindness all forbid. Ah! lady, retribution for this deed will yet visit thee. But lo! before the house I see those two united souls, condemned to die. Alas! for thee, poor lady, and for thee, unhappy child, who art dying on account of thy mother's marriage, though thou hast no share therein and canst not be blamed by the royal house.
(ANDROMACHE enters, her arms bound. Her son clings to her. MENELAUS and the guards follow, intent on accomplishing the murder. The following lines are chanted responsively.)
ANDROMACHE Behold me journeying on the downward path, my hands so tightly bound with cords that they bleed. MOLOSSUS O mother, mother mine! I too share thy downward path, nestling 'neath thy wing. ANDROMACHE A cruel sacrifice! ye rulers of Phthia! MOLOSSUS Come, father! succour those thou lovest. ANDROMACHE Rest there, my babe, my darling! on thy mother's bosom, e'en in death and in the grave. MOLOSSUS Ah, woe is me! what will become of me and thee too, mother mine?