THE BOOK WAS DRENCHED - OUDL Home

ward! faster, faster I for this matter, methinks, admits of no delay; now
if ever would I fain resume the vigour of my youth. First however will I
breathe new life into this captive, being to her as the breeze that blows
a ship before the wind. Tell me, by what right have they pinioned thine
arms and are dragging thee and thy child away? Like a ewe with her lamb
art thou led to the slaughter, while I and thy lord were far away.
ANDROMACHE
Behold them that are haling me and my child to death, e'en as thou
seest, aged prince. Why should I tell thee? For not by one urgent summons
alone but by countless messengers have I sent for thee. No doubt
thou knowest by hearsay of the strife in this house with this man's daughter,
and the reason of my ruin. So now they have torn and are dragging me
from the altar of Thetis, the goddess of thy chiefest adoration and the
mother of thy gallant son, without any proper trial, yea, and without
waiting for my absent master; because, forsooth, they knew my defencelessness
and my child's, whom they mean to slay with me his hapless
mother, though he has done no harm. But to thee, O sire, I make my supplication,
prostrate at thy knees, though my hand cannot touch thy
friendly beard; save me, I adjure thee, reverend sir, or to thy shame and
my sorrow shall we be slain.
PELEUS
Loose her bonds, I say, ere some one rue it; untie her folded hands.
MENELAUS
I forbid it, for besides being a match for thee, I have a far better right
to her.
PELEUS
What! art thou come hither to set my house in order? Art not content
with ruling thy Spartans?
MENELAUS
She is my captive; I took her from Troy.
PELEUS
Aye, but my son's son received her as his prize.
MENELAUS
Is not all I have his, and all his mine?
PELEUS
For good, but not evil ends; and surely not for murderous violence.