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Her. You are Orestes,

The same unaltered, generous, faithful lover: The prince whom I esteem; whom I lament; And whom I fain would teach my heart to love! Orest. Ay, there it is!-I have but your es teem,

While Pyrrhus has your heart!

Her. Believe me, prince,

Were you as Pyrrhus, I should hate you!
Orest. No!

I should be blest! I should be loved as he is!
Yet all this while I die by your disdain,

While he neglects your charms, and courts an other.

Her. And who has told you, prince, that I'm
neglected?

Has Pyrrhus said(Oh, I shall go distracted!)
Has Pyrrhus told you so ?-
-Or is it you,

Who think thus meanly of me?- -Sir, perhaps,
All do not judge like you!

Orest. Madam, go on!

Insult me still: I'm used to bear your scorn. Her. Why am I told how Pyrrhus loves or hates?

-Go, prince, and arm the Greeks against the rebel;

Let them lay waste his country! raze his towns;
Destroy his fleets; his palaces;-himself!—
Go, prince, and tell me then how much I love

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Fled like a dream!-Methinks I tread in air!
Pyrrhus, enamoured of his captive queen,
Will thank me, if I take her rival hence:
He looks not on the princess with my eyes!
Surprising happiness!-Unlooked-for joy!
Never let love despair!—the prize is mine!
Be smooth, ye seas! and ye, propitious winds,
Breathe from Epirus to the Spartan coasts!
I long to view the sails unfurled !-But, see!
Pyrrhus approaches in a happy hour.

Enter PYRRHUS, and PHOENIX.

Pyr. I was in pain to find you, prince. My

warm

Ungoverned temper would not let me weigh
The importance of your embassy, and hear
You argue for my good.-I was to blame.
I since have poised your reasons; and I thank
My good allies: their care deserves my thanks.
You have convinced me, that the weal of Greece,
My father's honour, and my own repose,
Demand that Hector's race should be destroyed.
I shall deliver up Astyanax ;

And you, yourself, shall bear the victim hence.

Orest. If you approve it, sir, and are content To spill the blood of a defenceless child, The offended Greeks, no doubt, will be appeased.

Pyr. Closer to strain the knot of our alliance, I have determined to espouse Hermione. You come in time to grace our nuptial rites: In you the kings of Greece will all be present; And you have right to personate her father, As his ambassador, and brother's son. Go, prince, renew your visit; tell Hermione, To-morrow I receive her from your hands. Orest. [Aside.] Oh, change of fortune! Oh, [Exit Orestes.

undone Orestes:

Pyr. Well, Phoenix, am I still a slave to love? What think'st thou now? Am I myself again? Phan. Tis as it should be: this discovers

Pyrrhus ;

Shews all the hero. Now you are yourself!
The son, the rival of the great Achilles !
Greece will applaud you; and the world confess,
Pyrrhus has conquered Troy a second time.

Pyr. Nay, Phonix, now I but begin to triumph:

I never was a conqueror 'till now.
Believe me, a whole host, a war of foes,

May sooner be subdued, than love. Oh, Phoenix,
What ruin have I shunned! The Greeks enraged,
Hung o'er me, like a gathering storm, and soon
Had burst in thunder on my head; while I
Abandoned duty, empire, honour, all,
To please a thankless woman!--One kind look
Had quite undone me!

Phan. Oh, my royal master!

The gods, in favour to you, made her cruel.

Pyr. Thou sawest with how much scorn she treated me!

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'Tis he himself! his eyes, his every feature! His very frown, and his stern look already! 'Tis he: Tis my loved lord whom I embrace! Does she then think, that I preserve the boy, To soothe, and keep alive her flame for Hector? Phan. No doubt, she does; and thinks you favoured in it;

But let her go, for an ungrateful woman!

Pyr. I know the thoughts of her proud stubborn heart:

Vain of her charms, and insolent in beauty,
She mocks my rage; and, when it threatens loudest,
Expects 'twill soon be humbled into love.

But we shall change our parts; and she shall

find

I can be deaf, like her; and steel my heart.
She's Hector's widow; I Achilles' son;
Pyrrhus is born to hate Andromache.

Phan. My royal master, talk of her no more;
I do not like this anger. Your Hermione
Should now engross your thoughts. "Tis time to
see her;

'Tis time you should prepare the nuptial rites,
And not rely upon a rival's care;
It may be dangerous.

Pyr. But tell me, Phoenix,

Dost thou not think, the proud Andromache
Will be enraged, when I shall wed the princess?
Phan. Why does Andromache still haunt your
thoughts?

What is't to you, be she enraged or pleased?
Let her name perish: think of her no more!
Pyr. No, Phoenix!—I have been too gentle
with her,

I've checked my wrath, and stiffled my resent

ment:

She knows not yet to what degree I hate her. Let us return :——— -I'll brave her to her face:

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ness;

Thou dost not know me, Phoenix.
Phan. Ah, my prince!

You are still struggling in the toils of love!
Pyr. Canst thou then think I love this woman
still?

One who repays my passion with disdain!
A stranger, captive, friendless, and forlorn;
She and her darling son within my power;
His life a forfeit to the Greeks: Yet I
Preserve her son; would take her to my throne;
Would fight her battles, and avenge her wrongs;
And all this while she treats me as her foe!

Phan. You have it in your power to be re-
venged.

Pyr. Yes-and I'll shew my power! I'll give

her cause

To hate me! her Astyanax shall die!
What tears will then be shed! How will she then,
In bitterness of heart, reproach my name !
Then, to complete her woes, will I espouse
Hermione:-Twill stab her to the heart!

Phan. Alas, you threaten like a lover still! Pyr. Phoenix, excuse this struggle of my soul: 'Tis the last effort of expiring love.

Phan. Then hasten, sir, to see the Spartan princess;

And turn the bent of your desires on her.
Pyr. Oh! 'tis a heavy task to conquer love,
And wean the soul from her accustomed fond-

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ACT III.

SCENE I.

Enter PYLADES and ORESTES,

Life is not worth my care. My soul grows des

perate.

I'll bear her off, or perish in the attempt.

Pyl. FOR Heaven's sake, sir, compose your I'll force her from his arms :-By Heaven I will!

ruffled mind,

And moderate your rage!

Orest. No, Pylades!

This is no time for counsel.

-I am deaf.

Talk not of reason! I have been too patient.

Pyl. Well, 'tis agreed, my friend :-We'll force her hence,

But still consider, we are in Epirus.

The court, the guards, Hermione herself,
The very air we breathe, belongs to Pyrrhus.

Good gods! what tempted you to seek her here!
Orest. Lost to myself, I knew not what I did.
My purposes were wild. Perhaps I came
To menace Pyrrhus, and upbraid the woman.
Pyl. This violence of temper may prove fatal.
Orest. It must be more than man to bear these
shocks,

These outrages of fate, with temper!
He tells me, that he weds Hermione ;
And will to-morrow take her from my hand!-
My hand shall sooner tear the tyrant's heart.
Pyl. Your passion blinds you, sir; he's not to
blame.

Could you but look into the soul of Pyrrhus,
Perhaps you'd find it tortured, like your own.
Orest. No, Pylades! 'Tis all design-His pride,
To triumph over me, has changed his love.
The fair Hermione, before I came,
In all her bloom of beauty, was neglected.
Ah, cruel gods! I thought her all my own!
She was consenting to return to Sparta :
Her heart, divided betwixt rage and love,
Was on the wing to take its leave of Pyrrhus.
She heard my sighs; she pitied my complaints;
She praised my constancy ;—
-The least indiffer-

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Pyl. Believe me, prince,

(As Pyrrhus has consented) into Greece, Go, Pylades

Pyl. Lead on, my friend, lead on!
Let us bear off Hermione! No toil,
No danger can deter a friend :--Lead on!
Draw up the Greeks; summon your numerous
train:

The ships are ready, and the wind sits fair :
There eastward lies the sea; the rolling waves
Break on those palace-stairs. I know each pass,
Each avenue and outlet of the court.
This very night we'll carry her on board.

Orest. Thou art too good! I trespass on thy friendship,

But, Oh! excuse a wretch, whom no man pities,
Except thyself: one just about to lose

The treasure of his soul: whom all mankind
Conspire to hate, and one who hates himself.
When will my friendship be of use to thee?

Pyl. The question is unkind. But now remember

To keep your counsels close, and hide your thoughts;

Let not Hermione suspect-no more—
I see her coming, sir-

Orest. Away, my friend;.

I am advised; my all depends upon it.

[Exit Pylades.

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'Twas then she loved him most. Had Pyrrhus Pyrrhus, my rival; and have gained him for you.

left her,

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Orest. Oh, Pylades!

My grief weighs heavy on me :-Twill distract me!

O leave me to myself!-Let not thy friendship
Involve thee in my woes. Too long already,
Too long hast thou been punished for my crimes.
It is enough, my friend-It is enough!
Let not thy generous love betray thee farther:
The gods have set me as their mark, to empty
Their quivers on me.-Leave me to myself.
Mine be the danger; mine the enterprize.
All I request of thee is, to return,
And, in my place, convey Astyanax
VOL. I.

The king resolves to wed you.

Her. So I am told:

And farther, I am informed that you, Orestes, Are to dispose me for the intended marriage. Orest. And are you, madam, willing to com ply?

Her. Could I imagine Pyrrhus loved me still?
After so long delays, who would have thought
His hidden flames would shew themselves at last,
And kindle in his breast, when mine expired?
I can suppose, with you, he fears the Greeks;
That it is interest, and not love, directs him;
And that my eyes had greater power o'er you.
Orest. No, princess, no! It is too plain he
loves you.

Your eyes do what they will, and cannot fail
To gain a conquest, where you wish they should.
Her. What can I do? alas! my faith is pro-

mised.

Can I refuse what is not mine to give?
A princess is not at her choice to love;
All we have left us is a blind obedience:
And yet, you see, how far I had complied,
And made my duty yield to your intreaties.
Orest. Ah, cruel maid! you knew-but I have
done.

All have a right to please themselves in love :
I blame not you. 'Tis true, I hoped—but you
Are mistress of your heart, and I'm content.

S$

'Tis fortune is my enemy, not you. But, madam, I shall spare you farther pain On this uneasy theme, and take my leave.

[Exit Orestes.

Her. Cleone, couldst thou think he'd be so calm?

To keep him far from perils of ambition:
All he can learn of me, will be to weep.

Her. Madam, 'tis easy to conceive your grief:
But it would ill become me to solicit
In contradiction to my father's will:
'Tis he who urges to destroy your son.

Cleo. Madam, his silent grief sits heavy on Madam, if Pyrrhus must be wrought to pity,

him.

He's to be pitied. His too eager love
Has made him busy to his own destruction.
His threats have wrought this change of mind in
Pyrrhus.

Her. Dost thou think Pyrrhus capable of fear! Whom should the intrepid Pyrrhus fear? the Greeks?

Did he not lead their harrassed troops to conquest,

When they despaired, when they retired from
Troy,

And sought for shelter in their burning fleets?
Did he not then supply his father's place?
No, my Cleone, he is above constraint;
He acts unforced; and where he weds he loves.
Cleo. Oh, that Orestes had remained in Greece! |

I fear to-morrow will prove fatal to him.

Her. Wilt thou discourse of nothing but Ores-
tes?

Pyrrhus is mine again!-Is mine for ever!
Oh, my Cleone! I am wild with joy!
Pyrrhus, the bold! the brave! the godlike Pyr-
rhus!

-Oh, I could tell thee numberless exploits,
And tire thee with his battles-Oh, Cleone-
Cleo. Madam, conceal your joy--I see Andro-
mache:

She weeps, and comes to speak her sorrows to

you.

Her. I would indulge the gladness of my heart! Let us retire: her grief is out of season.

Enter ANDROMACHE and CEPHISA.
Andr. Ah, madam, whither, whither do you fly?
Where can your eyes behold a sight more plea-
sing

Than Hector's widow suppliant and in tears?
I come not an alarmed, a jealous foe,
To envy you the heart your charms have won:
The only man I sought to please, is gone;
Killed in my sight, by an inhuman hand.
Hector first taught me love; which my fond heart
Shall ever cherish, 'till we meet in death.
But, oh, I have a son!-And you, one day,
Will be no stranger to a mother's fondness:
But Heaven forbid that you should ever know
A mother's sorrow for an only son.
Her joy, her bliss, her last surviving comfort!
When every hour she trembles for his life!
Your power o'er Pyrrhus may relieve my fears.
Alas, what danger is there in a child,
Saved from the wreck of a whole ruined empire?
Let me go hide him in some desert isle:
You may rely upon my tender care

No woman does it better than yourself;
If you gain him, I shall comply of course.

[Exeunt Her. and Cleone. Andr. Didst thou not mind with what disdain she spoke?

Youth and prosperity have made her vain;
She has not seen the fickle turns of life.

Ceph. Madam, were I as you, I'd take her counsel.

I'd speak my own distress: one look from you Will vanquish Pyrrhus, and confound the GreeksSee, where he comes-Lay hold on this occasion. Enter PYRRHUS and PHENIX.

Pyr. Where is the princess?—Did you not inform me

Hermione was here?

Phan. I thought so, sir.

[To Phanir.

Andr. Thou seest what mighty power my eyes [To Cephisa.

have on him?

Pyr. What says she, Phoenix? Andr. I have no hope left! Phan. Let us be gone:-)

you.

-Hermione expects

Ceph. For Heaven's sake, madam, break this suilen silence.

Andr. My child's already promised-
Ceph. But not given.

Andr. No, no! my tears are vain! his doom is fixed!

Pyr. See, if she deigns to cast one look upon

us!

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| Oh, Heavens !-will you not look with pity on me?

Is there no hope? Is there no room for pardon? Pyr. Phoenix will answer you: my word is past. Andr. You, who would brave so many dangers for me!

Pyr. I was your lover then: I now am free.
To favour you I might have spared his life:
But you would ne'er vouchsafe to ask it of me.
Now, 'tis too late.

Andr. Ah, sir, you understood
My tears, my wishes, which I durst not utter
Afraid of a repulse. Oh, sir, excuse

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Ceph. But, madam

Andr. What can I do more? The tyrant Sees my distraction, and insults my tears.

[To Ceph. -Behold how low you have reduced a queen! These eyes have seen my country laid in ashes; My kindred fall in war; my father slain; My husband dragged in his own blood; my son Condemned to bondage, and myself a slave; Yet, in the midst of these unheard-of woes, 'Twas some relief to find myself your captive; And that my son, derived from ancient kings, Since he must serve, had Pyrrhus for his master. When Prian kneeled, the great Achilles wept: I hoped I should not find his son less noble.

You would o'er-rule the malice of your fortune. Andr. Alas! Cephisa, what have I obtained! Only a poor short respite for my son.

Ceph. You have enough approved your faith to Hector;

To be reluctant still would be a crime.
He would himself persuade you to comply.
Andr. How wouldst thou give me Pyrrhus
for a husband?

Ceph. Think you, 'twill please the ghost of your dead husband,

That you should sacrifice his son? Consider,
Pyrrhus once more invites you to a throne;
Turns all his power against the foes of Troy;
Remembers not Achilles was his father;
Retracts his conquests, and forgets his hatred.

Andr. But how can I forget it! How can I
Forget my Hector, treated with dishonour;
Deprived of funeral rites; and vilely dragged,
A bloody corse, about the walls of Troy?
Can I forget the good old king his father,
Slain in my presence; at the altar slain!'
Which vainly, for protection, he embraced?
Hast thou forgot that dreadful night, Ceplisa,
When a whole people fell? Methinks I see
Pyrrhus, enraged, and breathing vengeance, enter
Amidst the glare of burning palaces:

I see him hew his passage through my brothers; And, bathed in blood, lay all my kindred waste. Think, in this scene of horror, what I suffered!

I thought the brave were still the most compas-This is the courtship I received from Pyrrhus;

sionate.

Oh, do not, sir, divide me from my child!
If he must die-

Pyr. Phoenix, withdraw a while. [Exit Phænix.
Rise, madam-Yet you may preserve your son.
I find whenever I provoke your tears,
I furnish you with arms against myself.
I thought my hatred fixed before I saw you.
Oh, turn your eyes upon me, while I speak,
And see, if you discover in my looks
An angry judge, or an obdurate foe!
Why will you force me to desert your cause?
In your son's name I beg we may be friends;
Let me intreat you to secure his life!

Must I turn suppliant for him? Think, oh think,
'Tis the last time, you both may yet be happy!
I know the ties I break; the foes I arm:
I wrong Hermione; I send her hence;
And with her diadem I bind your brows.
Consider well; for 'tis of moment to you!
Chuse to be wretched, madam, or a queen.
My soul, consumed with a whole year's despair,
Can bear no longer these perplexing doubts;
I know, if I'm deprived of you, I die:
But oh, I die, if I wait longer for you!
I leave you to your thoughts. When I return,
We'll to the temple; there you'll find your son;
And there be crowned, or give him up for ever.
[Exit Pyrrhus.
Ceph. I told you, madam, that in spite of
Grecce,

And this the husband thou wouldst give me! No, We both will perish first! I'll ne'er consent.

Ceph. Since you resolve Astyanax shall die, Haste to the temple, bid your son farewell. Why do you tremble, madam?

Andr. O Cephisa!

Thou hast awakened all the mother in me.
How can I bid farewell to the dear child,
The pledge, the image of my much-loved lord!
Alas, I call to mind the fatal day,
When his too-forward courage led him forth
To seek Achilles.

Ceph. Oh, the unhappy hour!

'Twas then Troy fell, and all her gods forsook her.

Andr. That morn, Cephisa, that ill-fated morn My husband bid thee bring Astyanax; He took him in his arms; and, as I wept, My wife, my dear Andromache, said he, (Heaving with stifled sighs to see me weep) What fortune may attend my arms, the gods Alone can tell. To thee I give the boy; Preserve him as the token of our loves; If I should fall, let him not miss his sire While thou survivest; but, by thy tender care, Let the son see that thou didst love his father. Ceph. And will you throw away a life so precious?

At once extirpate all the Trojan line?

Andr. Inhuman king! What has he done to suffer?

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