[To attendant] Lead the way faster! 'Tis a strait, methinks,
Brooks no delay; but now, if ever, fain
Would I renew the vigour of my youth.
But first, like breeze that fills the sails, will I
Breathe life through her:—say, by what right have these 555
Pinioned thine hands in bonds, and with thy son
Hale—for like ewe with lamb thou goest to death—
Whilst I and thy true lord be far away?
Andromache.
These, ancient, deathward hale me with my child,
As thou dost see. Why should I tell it thee? 560
Seeing not once I sent thee instant summons,
But by the mouth of messengers untold.
Thou know'st, hast heard, I trow, the household-strife
Of yon man's daughter, that means death to me.
And now from Thetis' altars,—hers who bare 565
Thy noble son, hers whom thou reverencest,—
They tear, they hale me, with no form of trial
Condemning, for the absent waiting not,
My lord, but knowing my defencelessness,
And this poor child's, the utter-innocent, 570
Whom they would slay along with hapless me.
But I beseech thee, ancient, falling low
Before thy knees—I cannot stretch my hand
Unto thy beard, O dear, O kindly face!—
In God's name save, else I shall surely die, 575
To your shame, ancient, and my misery.
Peleus.
Loose, I command, her bonds, ere some one rue,
And set ye free this captive's pinioned hands.
