Charge him to say, Hermione's resentments, Not those of Greece, have sentenc'd him to death. If Pyrrhus knows not that he dies by me! Enter PYRRHUS. [Exit Cleone. Pyr. Madam, I ought to shun an injur'd princess: Your distant looks reproach me: and I come Not to defend, but to avow my guilt. Pyrrhus will ne'er approve his own injustice; Nor form excuses, while his heart condemns him. "I might perhaps alledge, our warlike sires, "Unknown to us, engag'd us to each other. "And join'd our hearts by contract, not by love: "But I detest such cobweb arts, I own "My father's treaty, and allow its force. "I sent ambassadors to call you hither; "Receiv'd you as my queen; and hop'd my oaths "So oft renew'd might ripen into love. "The gods can witness, madam, how I fought "Against Andromache's too fatal charms! "And still I wish I had the power to leave "This Trojan beauty, and be just to you.' Discharge your anger on this perjur'd man! For I abhor my crime and should be pleas'd To hear you speak your wrongs aloud: no terms, No bitterness of wrath, nor keen reproach, Will equal half the upbraidings of my heart. Her. 'Twould please your queen, should I upbraid your falsehood; Call you perfidious, traitor, all the names I should oerflow with tears, and die with grief, , sir, I would not over-charge her joys: Pyr. With horror I look back on my past deeds! I punish'd Helen's wrongs too far; I shed Too much of blood: but madam, Helen's daughter Should not object those ills the mother caus'd. The man who ne'er was lov'd, can ne'er be false. And I stood bound by promise to receive you : Her. Have I not lov'd you, then! perfidious man! Begone! the priest expects you at the altar But, tyrant, have a care I come not thither. [Ex. Her. Enter PHOENIX. Pha. Sir, did you mind her threats? Your life's in danger! F There is no trifling with a woman's rage. The Greeks that swarm about the court, all hate you; Pyr. How, Phoenix, should I fear a woman's threats? Do thou place all my guards about her son: PHOENIX, alone. [Ex. Pyr. Oh, Pyrrhus! oh, what pity 'tis, the gods, [A flourish of trumpets. "Such was Achilles; generous, fierce, and brave: "Open and undesigning: but impatient, "Undisciplin'd, and not to be control'd: "I fear this whirl of passion, this career, "That overbears reflection and cool thought; "I tremble for the event !"-But see, the queen, Magnificent in royal pride, appears. I must obey, and guard her son from danger. [Exit Phoenix. Enter ANDROMACHE and CEPHISA. Ceph. Madam, once more you look and move a queen! Your sorrows are dispers'd, your charms revive, Andr. Yet all is not as I could wish, Cephisa. Ceph. You see the king is watchful o'er your son; Decks him with princely robes, with guards surrounds him. Astyanax begins to reign already. Andr. Pyrrhus is nobly minded: and I fain Would live to thank him for Astyanax : 'Tis a vain thought-However, since my child Has such a friend, I ought not to repine. Ceph. "These dark unfoldings of your soul perplex me. "What meant those floods of tears, those warm embraces, "As if you bid your son adieu for ever?" For Heav'n's sake, madam, let me know your griefs! you mistrust my faith If Andr. That were to wrong thee. Oh, my Cephisa! this gay, borrow'd air," Are but mock trappings to conceal my woe : My heart still mourns; I still am Hector's widow. Ceph. Will you then break the promise giv'n to Pyrrhus; Blow up his rage afresh, and blast your hopes ? Andr. I thought, Cephisa, thou hadst known thy mistress. Could'st thou believe I would be false to Hector? |