Has she not blighted the womb of the Queen? There is no heir to Achilles in Achilles" land!
ORESTES.
And does Pyrrhus sit still while his Queen is thus wronged?
PRIEST.
Cannot a witch blind the eyes? He can see nothing, and will hearken to nothing. Even now he has taken the Trojan woman"s b.a.s.t.a.r.d with him.
ORESTES.
Is Pyrrhus away from the land? Where?
PRIEST.
He has gone hunting in the hills yonder--[_pointing_]--and down to the fields of the Napaeans.
ORESTES.
When should he return?
PRIEST.
To-day, it may be--it is the fifth day of the hunt; or perchance the game may keep him some time yet.
[_Enter_ ALCIMEDON, L., _an old man with spears but no armour; he carries a bunch of violets for Thetis_.] The witch woman is mad lest any hurt come to the boy!
ALCIMEDON.
Health to you, Priest, and discretion to your tongue!
PRIEST.
Health I accept, Alcimedon,--discretion to them that need it!
ORESTES.
[_To the_ PRIEST.] Why, what should bring hurt to the lad?
ALCIMEDON.
[_Carelessly, pa.s.sing on._] Jealousy stranger. Priests and barren women!
[_He pa.s.ses on to the altar, and then to the rock, where he puts his violets._
PRIEST.
Jealousy!
ORESTES.
[_Involuntarily._] Hermione would never plot against the boy!
[_He makes an angry movement after_ ALCIMEDON.
PRIEST.
What jealousy? What need to be jealous of him? He is no true heir. We have a King, and we have a Queen, both of the blood of Zeus, both our true rulers, but heir there is none.
ALCIMEDON.
[_Seeing and handling the gold link._] Ye golden G.o.ds, have the sons of Pactolus us come to Phthia?
ORESTES.
[_In sudden anger._] The curse of the crawling lichen on the man who moves that gold!
ALCIMEDON.
On your own head! [_Throws gold quickly down._] Who are you, stranger, to curse one that has done you no wrong?
ORESTES.
I check the wrong before it is done. And I tell not my name save to my host after I have eaten and slept.
ALCIMEDON.
If you come to teach your manners to the Myrmidons, by Thetis! you shall learn theirs first. Is the stranger yours, O Priest?
ORESTES.
I have broken no man"s bread nor touched his hand. [_Defiantly._] What see you more?
ALCIMEDON.
Why is he so bold? Has he sanctuary with Thetis?
ORESTES.
[_Lifting his two spears._] This is my sanctuary. And there is more gold for the man that will break through it.
PRIEST.
Stay! Slay not the stranger so fast, Alcimedon. Reason with him. He will give up the chain, and we will let him go in peace.
ALCIMEDON.
Go in peace, when he has lifted his spear against Alcimedon! How shall I look my grandchildren in the face? By Thetis! I will wash the chain with his blood!