"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,
After such wrongs and insults, much surprize me!
You, who before could not command your rage,
When Pyrrhus look'd but kindly on his captive;
How can you bear unmov'd, that he should wed her?
And seat her on a throne which you should fill ?
I fear this dreadful stillness in your soul!
'Twere better, madam-

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,
My farewell, my return, all speak my love.

Her. Avenge my wrongs, and I'll believe them all.
Orest. It shall be done-my soul has catch'd the

alarm.

We'll spirit up the Greeks-I'll lead them on-
Your cause shall animate our fleets and armies.

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
This load of infamy to Greece, nor trust
The chance of war to vindicate my wrongs.
Ere I depart, I'll make Epirus mourn.
If you avenge me, let it be this instant;

My rage brooks no delay-Haste to the temple,
Haste, prince, and sacrifice him.

Orest. Whom!

Her. Why, Pyrrhus.

Orest. Pyrrhus! Did you say, Pyrrhus ?
Her. You demur!

Oh, fly, begone! give me no time to think!
Talk not of laws-he tramples on all laws-
Let me not hear him justify'd-away.

Orest. You cannot think I'll justify my rival.
Madam, your love has made him criminal.
You shall have vengeance; I'll have vengeance too:
But let our hatred be profest and open:

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;
And spite of all his crimes and broken vows,
If he should live, I may relapse-who knows
But I to-morrow may forgive his wrongs?

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
Is now prepar'd; the joyful rites begin;
My shame is public-Oh, be speedy, prince!
My wrath's impatient-Pyrrhus lives too long!
Intent on love, and heedless of his person,
He covers with his guards the Trojan boy.
Now is the time; assemble all your Greeks;
Mine shall assist them; let their fury loose :
Already they regard him as a foe.

Begone, Orestes-kill the faithless tyrant:
My love shall recompense the glorious deed.
Orest. Consider, madam-

Her. You but mock my rage!

I was contriving how to make you happy.
Think you to merit by your idle sighs,
And not attest your love by one brave action?

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.
Orestes hates not Pyrrhus as I hate him:

"I should have thrust the dagger home; have seen
"The tyrant curse me with his parting breath,
"And roll about his dying eyes, in vain,
"To find Andromache, whom I would hide."
Oh, would Orestes, when he gives the blow,
Tell him he dies my victim!—Haste, Cleone;