Andromache - BestLightNovel.com
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PYRRHUS.
I will do more for you than that, my firstborn.
HERMIONE.
[_Who has kept back, by the altar._] Take up your pitcher, and begone, woman!
PYRRHUS.
[_Turning upon_ HERMIONE.] Now, by Peleus, daughter of Helen, what would you?
HERMIONE.
That when my slave is gone you may give me greeting.
PYRRHUS.
I give you greeting. But I praise not your greeting to me.
HERMIONE.
If I send my women to draw water at sunrise, shall the water not be back when the shadows are thus?
[_Pointing to shadows._
PYRRHUS.
There be other women meeter to draw water than Hector's wife. I tell you there is no man on this earth I should so joy to have slain as Hector.
HERMIONE.
If he had witchwork to help him, he may have been a deadly fighter.
ANDROMACHE.
[_To_ PYRRHUS, _who has laid his hand on her shoulder_.] Nay, master, the hall must be made ready.
PYRRHUS.
Well, take our boy, and be with him at the castle when I come. Stay, think of a boon to ask of me in return for the day's good work. And make it a rich boon; I shall not stint you.
ANDROMACHE.
I know it now; but I fear to anger my lord.
PYRRHUS.
Ask on; yet I would not have you ask for freedom from me.
ANDROMACHE.
My master, what could I do now with freedom? Only suffer Molossus to make atonement to the Napaeans for the man he slew. He may give back the oxen, and I will add of my own.
PYRRHUS.
[_Displeased._] Atonement! Who are the Napaeans to seek atonement from me?
ANDROMACHE.
Nay, my lord, it was scarce a righteous slaying.
PYRRHUS.
Not righteous! [_Scornfully._] Then perchance you would have me cut off the herd-boy's hands and feet, for fear his ghost should come after us?
Not righteous! What is it you fear?
ANDROMACHE.
[_Putting her hand on_ MOLOSSUS' _shoulder_.] He is but a boy, my lord!
And if there is no atonement, they will watch day and night to slay him.
MOLOSSUS.
Mother, I fear them not!
ANDROMACHE.
They will raid us again----
PYRRHUS.
I can do them twice and four times the hurt they can do me.
ANDROMACHE.
They cannot hurt _us_ in our castle, but they can burn the villages in the plain and make dearth and famine.
MOLOSSUS.
Oh, Mother, why should I make atonement for my first man?
PYRRHUS.
It was only a boy, too. I cannot ask forgiveness for one boy!
ANDROMACHE.
It will cost little. I have three carpets of Sidon work----
