THE BOOK WAS DRENCHED - OUDL Home

Ah me I my sorrows! Woe for my hapless country! How cruel my fate!
Why had I to be a mother too and take upon me a double load of suffering?
Yet why do I mourn the past, and o'er the present never shed a tear
or compute its griefs? I that saw Hector butchered and dragged behind
the chariot, and Ilium, piteous sight! one sheet of flame, while I was
haled away by the hair of my head to the Argive ships in slavery, and
on my arrival in Phthia was given to Hector's murderer as his mistress.
What pleasure then has life for me? Whither am I to turn my gaze? to
the present or the past? My babe alone was left me, the light of my life;
and him these ministers of death would slay. No! they shall not, if my
poor life can save him; for if he be saved, hope in him lives on, while to
me 'twere shame to refuse to die for my son. Lo! here I leave the altar
and give myself into your hands, to cut or stab, to bind or hang. Ah! my
child, to Hades now thy mother passes to save thy dear life. Yet if thou
escape thy doom, remember me, my sufferings and my death, and tell thy
father how I fared, with fond caress and streaming eye and arms thrown
round his neck. Ah! yes, his children are to every man as his own soul;
and whoso sneers at this through inexperience, though he suffers less
anguish, yet tastes the bitter in his cup of bliss.
LEADER
Thy tale with pity fills me; for every man alike, stranger though he be,
feels pity for another's distress. Menelaus, 'tis thy duty to reconcile thy
daughter and this captive, giving her a respite from sorrow.
MENELAUS
Ho! sirrahs, seize this woman (His attendants swiftly carry out the
order,); hold her fast; for 'tis no welcome story she will have to hear.
It was to make thee leave the holy altar of the goddess that I held thy
child's death before thy eyes, and so induced thee to give thyself up to me
to die. So stands thy case, be well assured; but as for this child, my daughter
shall decide whether she will slay him or no. Get thee hence into the
house, and there learn to bridle thy insolence in speaking to the free, slave
that thou art.
ANDROMACHE
Alas! thou hast by treachery beguiled me; I was deceived.
MENELAUS
Proclaim it to the world; I do not deny it.
ANDROMACHE
Is this counted cleverness amongst you who dwell by the Eurotas?