Belike he cared not for a little kingdom, being once robbed of his own great kingdom.
HERMIONE.
If a high seat is empty, shall not a great king's son be bold to sit on it? Were his men good soldiers of Mycenae?
ORESTES.
Some, of Mycenae, who had sacked Troy; some, pirates he had got in his voyaging; all good fighters!
HERMIONE.
Could he not slay that Iberian in his halls, and sit upon his seat?
ALCIMEDON.
By Thetis! that would have been a gallant deed.
PRIEST.
Unrighteous, very unrighteous; but doubtless the Iberian would have sinned against some god!
ORESTES.
The Iberians may be brave fighters; I know not. And he knew of none to help him.
ALCIMEDON.
A hundred good Phthians might have tried it.
HERMIONE.
The queen might have had her own friends who would fight for her.
ALCIMEDON.
A very foul deed, very foul; but a gallant one! And if she would leave her lord--the hound!--she might well help to slay him!
ORESTES.
He did not seek her for her righteousness; he sought her because her beauty spoke like a god to him!
[_A moment's pause. A shout of several voices heard in the Court._
ALCIMEDON.
What is that shouting?
[_Moves towards door, with_ MOLOSSUS; _the_ PRIEST _follows_.
HERMIONE.
I heard the King's voice in it. [_To her_ MAIDS.] Go, quick. See what has happened. [_They also go towards the door, leaving_ HERMIONE _and_ ORESTES _alone. An instant of silence; then she makes a quick movement to him._] Oh, speak!
ORESTES.
Either I will take you this night or I will be slain here in the hall!
HERMIONE.
Oh, take me, take me! I am half dead with wearying!
ORESTES.
You shall weary no more. Go forth alone at midnight to the altar of Thetis----
HERMIONE.
The altar of Thetis--by night! [_She shows fear._
ORESTES.
What do you fear? [HERMIONE _shudders, but does not answer_.] You dare not? Then, let it end the other way!
HERMIONE.
Dare you slay _him_?
ORESTES.
That is no great thing!
HERMIONE.
And the witch, and the witch-child?
[_With frightened ferocity._
ORESTES.
Slay _her_?
HERMIONE.
You will not? You will not? Oh, then, I dare not go to you!
[ORESTES _looks at her with surprise and some repulsion; the women and_ ALCIMUS _return, followed by_ PYRRHUS _and_ MOLOSSUS, _with some armour: after them_ ANDROMACHE _and some retainers_.
MAID.