"He will be always with you, all your own, "To lavish the whole mother's fondness on him. "What a delight to train beneath your eye, "A son, who grows no longer up in bondage ? "A son, in whom a race of kings revive : "But, madam, you are sad, and wrapt in thought, "As if you relish'd not your happiness. "Andr. Oh, I must see my son once more, Cephisa! "Ceph. Madam, he now will be no more a captive; "Your visits may be frequent as you please. "To-morrow you may pass the live-long day"Andr. To-morrow! Oh, Cephisa!-But, no more! "Cephisa, I have always found thee faithful : "A load of care weighs down my drooping heart. "Ceph. Oh! that 'twere possible for me to ease you. "Andr. I soon shall exercise thy long-try'd faith."Mean while I do conjure thee, my Cephisa, "Thou take no notice of my present trouble : "And when I shall disclose my secret purpose, "That thou be punctual to perform my will. "Ceph. Madam, I have no will but yours. My life “Is nothing, balanc'd with my love to you. "Andr. I thank thee, good Cephisa, my Astyanax "Will recompense thy friendship to his mother. "But, come; my heart's at ease: assist me now "To change this sable habit."-Yonder comes Hermione; I would not meet her rage. Enter HERMIONE and CLEONE. Cleo. This unexpected silence, this reserve, [Exeunt. This outward calm, this settled frame of mind, Her. Have you call'd Orestes ? Cleo. Madam, I have; his love is too impatient Not to obey with speed the welcome summons. His love-sick heart o'erlooks his unkind usage: His ardour's still the same-Madam, he's here. Enter ORESTES. Orest. Ah, madam, is it true? Does, then, Orestes At length attend you by your own commands? What can I do Her. Orestes, do you love me? Orest. What means that question, princess? Do I love you? My oaths, my perjuries, my hopes, my fears, Her. Avenge my wrongs, and I'll believe them all. alarm. We'll spirit up the Greeks-I'll lead them on- Let us return: let us not lose a moment, But urge the fate of this devoted land: Let us depart. Her. No, prince, let us stay here! I will have vengeance here—I will not carry My rage brooks no delay-Haste to the temple, Orest. Whom! Her. Why, Pyrrhus. Orest. Pyrrhus! Did you say, Pyrrhus ? Oh, fly, begone! give me no time to think! Orest. You cannot think I'll justify my rival. Let us alarm all Greece, denounce a war; Let us attack him in his strength, and hunt him down By conquest: should I turn base assassin, 'Twould sully all the kings I represent. Her. Have I not been dishonour'd! set at nought! Expos'd to public scorn !—————and will you suffer The tyrant, who dares use me thus, to live? Know, prince, I hate him more than once I lov'd him; The Gods alone can tell how once I lov'd him; Yes, the false perjur'd man, I once did love him; Orest. First let me tear him piece-meal-he shall die. But, madam, give me leisure to contrive The place, the time, the manner of his death: Yet I'm a stranger in the court of Pyrrhus; Scarce have I set my foot within Epirus, When you enjoin me to destroy the prince. It shall be done this very night. Her. But now, This very hour, he weds Andromache; The temple shines with pomp; the golden throne Begone, Orestes-kill the faithless tyrant: Her. You but mock my rage! I was contriving how to make you happy. Go, with your boasted constancy! and leave Hermione to execute her own revenge! I blush to think how my too easy faith Has twice been baffled in one shameful hour! Orest. Hear me but speak!—you know I'll die to serve you! Her. I'll go myself: I'll stab him at the altar; Then drive the poinard, reeking with his blood, Through my own heart. In death we shall unite: Better to die with him, than live with you! Orest. That were to make him blest; and me more wretched: Madam, he dies by me :—Have you a foe, And shall I let him live? My rival, too? Ere yon meridian sun declines, he dies: And you shall say, that I deserve your love. Her. Go, prince; strike home! and leave the rest to me. Let all your ships be ready for our flight. [Exit Orestes. Cleo. Madam, you'll perish in this bold attempt. Her. Give me my vengeance, I'm content to perish. I was to blame to trust it with another : In my own hands it had been more secure. "I should have thrust the dagger home; have seen |