University of Virginia Library

SCENE I.

Pylades and Orestes.
Pyl.
For Heaven's sake, Sir, compose your ruffled Mind,
And moderate your Rage!

Orest.
No, Pylades!
This is no time for Counsel.—I am deaf.
Talk not of Reason! I have been too patient.
Life is not worth my Care. My Soul grows desperate.
I'll bear her off; or perish in the Attempt.
I'll force her from his Arms:—By Heaven, I will!

Pyl.
Well; 'tis agreed, my Friend:—We'll force her hence.
But still consider we are in Epirus:
The Court, the Guards, Hermione her self,
The very Air we breath, belongs to Pyrrhus.
Good Gods! what tempted you to seek her here?

Orest.
Lost to my self, I knew not what I did!
My Purposes were wild. Perhaps I came
To menace Pyrrhus, and upbraid this Woman.

Pyl.
This Violence of Temper may prove fatal.

Orest.
I must be more than Man to bear these Shocks,
These Outrages of Fate, with Temper!
He tells me, that he weds Hermione;
And will to-Morrow take her from my Hand!—
My Hand shall sooner tear the Tyrant's Heart—

Pyl.
Your Passion blinds you, Sir:—He's not to blame.
Could you but look into the Soul of Pyrrhus,
Perhaps you'd find it tortur'd, like your own.

Orest.
No, Pylades! 'Tis all Design.—His Pride,
To triumph over me, has chang'd I came,
In all her Bloom of Beauty, was neglected.
Ah cruel Gods! I thought her all my own!
She was consenting to return to Sparta:
Her Heart, divided betwixt Rage and Love,
Was on the Wing to take its Leave of Pyrrhus.
She heard my Sighs; she pityed my Complaints;
She praised my Constancy:—The least Indifference
From this proud King, had made Orestes happy!

Pyl.
So your fond Heart believes!—

Orest.
Did I not see
Her Hate, her Rage, her Indignation rise
Against the ungrateful Man?

Pyl.
Believe me, Prince,
'Twas then she loved him most! Had Pyrrhus left her,
She would have formed some new Pretext to stay.
Take my Advice:—Think not to force her hence;
But fly your self from her destructive Charms.
Her Soul is linked to Pyrrhus. Were she yours,
She would reproach you still, and still regret
Her disappointed Nuptials—

Orest.
Talk no more!
I cannot bear the Thought! She must be mine!
Did Pyrrhus carry Thunder in his Hand,
I'd stand the Bolt, and challenge all his Fury,
Ere I resigned Hermione.—By Force
I'll snatch her hence, and bear her to my Ships!
Have we forgot her Mother Helen's Rape?

Pyl.
Will then Orestes turn a Ravisher;
And blot his Embassy?

Orest.
O, Pylades!
My Grief weighs heavy on me:—'Twill distract me!
O leave me to my self!—Let not thy Friendship
Involve thee in my Woes. Too long already,
Too long hast thou been punish'd for my Crimes.
It is enough, my Friend!—It is enough!
Let not thy generous Love betray thee farther.
The Gods have set me as their Mark, to empty
Their Quivers on me.—Leave me to my self.
Mine be the Danger; mine the Enterprize.
All I request of thee is, to return,
And in my Place convey Astyanax
(As Pyrrhus has consented) into Greece.
Go, Pylades—

Pyl.
Lead on, my Friend, lead on!
Let us bear off Hermione! No Toil,
No Danger can deter a Friend!—Lead on!
Draw up the Greeks: Summon your numerous Train,
The Ships are ready; and the Wind sits fair:
There Eastward lies the Sea; the rolling Waves
Break on those Palace-stairs. I know each Pass,
Each Avenue and Out-let of the Court.
This very Night we'll carry her on Board.

Orest.
Thou art too good!—I trespass on thy Friendship:
But oh, excuse a Wretch, whom no Man pities,
Except thy self; one just about to lose
The Treasure of his Soul: Whom all Mankind
Conspire to hate; and one, who hates himself.
When will my Friendship be of use to thee?

Pyl.
The Question is unkind.—But now remember
To keep your Counsels close, and hide your Thoughts:
Let not Hermione suspect—No more—
I see her coming, Sir—

Orest.
Away, my Friend:
I am advised: my All depends upon it.