ANDROMACHE.
7
Andromache.
Undone!—undone!—O child, these vultures twain
Will clutch thee and will slay! He that is named 75
Thy father, yet in Delphi lingereth.
Handmaid.
I ween thou shouldst not fare so evilly
If he were here: but friendless art thou now.
Andromache.
Of Peleus' coming is there not a word?
Handmaid.
Too old is he to help thee, were he here. 80
Andromache.
Yet did I send for him not once nor twice.
Handmaid.
Ah, dost thou think their messengers[1] heed thee?
Andromache.
How should they?—Wilt thou be my messenger?
Handmaid.
But how excuse long absence from the halls?
- ↑ The courier-slaves of Neoptolemus, who in his absence are not likely to offend their mistress by doing Andromachê a service.