Orest. Madam, go on! Insult me still: I'm us'd 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 him. What is't I hear? Her. What infamy for Greece, If he should wed a Phrygian, and a captive! Orest. Is this your hatred, madam ?—’Tis in vain Your love appears in all; your secret flame Orest. Impute my fears, if groundless, to my love. Tell this proud king, that Menelaus scorns To match his daughter with a foe of Greece; If he persists to guard the hostile boy, [Ex. Her. and Cleone. Orest. Then is Orestes blest! My griefs are fled! Fled like a dream!-Methinks I tread in air! "Pyrrhus, enamour'd of his captive queen, "Will thank me, if I take her rival hence : "He looks not on the princess with my eyes! "Surprising happiness!-Unlook'd-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 unfurl'd!—But, see! Pyrrhus approaches in an happy hour. Enter PYRRHUS, and PHOENIX. Pyr. I was in pain to find you, prince. My warm Ungovern'd 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 pois'd your reasons; and I thank My good allies: their care deserves my thanks. You have convinc'd me, that the weal of Greece, My father's honour, and my own repose, Demand that Hector's race should be destroy'd. I shall deliver up Astyanax; And you, yourself shall bear the victim hence. Orest. If you approve it, sir, and are content Orestes! Orest. [Aside.] Oh, change of fortune! Oh, undone [Exit Orestes. Pyr. Well, Phoenix, am I still a slave to love? What think'st thou know? 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, Pyr. Nay, Phoenix, now I but begin to triumph; I never was a conqueror 'till now! Believe me, a whole host, a war of foes, To please a thankless woman !-One kind look Phan. Oh, my royal master! The gods, in favour to you, made her cruel. Pyr. Thou saw'st with how much scorn she treat ed me! When I permitted her to see her son, I hop'd it might have work'd her to my wishes. And found her bath'd in tears, and lost in passion. Wild with distress, a thousand times she call'd She kiss'd the boy; and call'd again on Hector: 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, But we shall change our parts; and she shall find, D 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, Phœnix, Dost thou not think, the proud Andromache What is't to you, be she enrag'd or pleas'd? Pyr. No, Phoenix-I have been too gentle with her, Pyr. That were indeed a most unmanly weakness! 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 ; |