Perchance he has been long alone in the forests. Take him and give him food and drink.
ALCIMEDON.
The priest can take him. I want no more of the man.
ORESTES.
[_Wearily._] Nay, touch me not. Leave me awhile.
PRIEST.
[_To the others._] It is well. Make your prayers.
ANDROMACHE.
[_Approaching the altar, and praying with upstretched hands._] Greeting to thee and joy, Thetis, mother of all Phthia. Give us peace in this land; and grant that my son Molossus return safe, and grow to give joy to thee and all this house!
ALCIMEDON.
[_In the same way._] Joy to thee, Thetis! Accept my offerings, and grant that my arms keep strong, and that I find the man whose swine have trampled my barley field.
MAID.
It will be a long day before Thetis grants you that, old man.
ALCIMEDON.
[_Grumbling._] If I only knew of any one that knew!
PRIEST.
[_To_ FIRST MAID.] Have you a prayer to make?
MAID.
[_Taking offerings from other_ MAIDS _to add to her own_.] Hail, Thetis!
and may joy be ever with thee! Accept these offerings from the bondmaidens Aithra, and Pholoe, and Deianassa; and grant all good things to them and theirs. [_A pause._
ALCIMEDON.
The jade! She is praying in silence! Ho, stop her, Priest! [_The others giggle._
MAID.
'Tis as good as a witch's prayer, at the worst!
ALCIMEDON.
[_Taking hold of her and threatening her with the shaft of his spear._]
Say it aloud, now! Say what it was!
MAID.
I won't! I won't! Let me be. It was no harm.
ANDROMACHE.
Let her be.
ALCIMEDON.
Swear it was nothing touching me, nor my crops, nor those swine!
MAID.
By Thetis! I think not of you, nor your crops nor your swine!
ORESTES.
[_Recovering from his reverie._] Well, lead me in. I will be the guest of any that will take me.
PRIEST.
You have given an offering, stranger; you may pray if you will.
ORESTES.
I--to Thetis! No! Yet perhaps---- [_Going up to altar._] Hail, Thetis! I have given thee an offering of many oxen's price, and many more will I give if thou hinder me not of my desires.
ALCIMEDON.
A vile prayer, a very dangerous prayer! He might as well have prayed silently. I will not take the man; the Priest may take him.
[_The_ PRIEST _goes towards_ ORESTES.
ORESTES.
[_Looking about and scanning the faces._] I will be this bondwoman's guest.
ANDROMACHE.
So be it, stranger. [_The_ PRIEST _moves anxiously towards_ ORESTES.]
And perchance the Priest will give you shelter till my work is done.
PRIEST.
Ay, come with me. When the King returns, it were meeter that he should take you. [_Aside to_ ORESTES.] Beware, stranger! It is the Phrygian woman.
ORESTES.