Andromache (729-766)

Thou art only too ready to rush into abuse;

while, as for me, I came to Phthia by constraint and have therefore no intention either of doing or suffering anything mean. Now must I return home, for I have no time to waste; for there is a city not so very far from Sparta, which aforetime was friendly

but now is hostile; against her will I march with my army and bring her into subjection. And when I have arranged that matter as I wish, I will return; and face to face with my son-in-law I will give my version of the story and hear his.

And if he punish her, and for the future she exercise self-control, she shall find me do the like; but if he storm, I’ll storm as well; and[*] every act of mine shall be a reflex of his own. As for thy babbling, I can bear it easily;

for, like to a shadow as thou art,[*] thy voice is all thou hast, and thou art powerless to do aught but talk. Exit Menelaus.

Lead on, my child, safe beneath my sheltering wing, and thou too, poor lady; for thou art come into a quiet haven after the rude storm.

Heaven reward thee and all thy race, old sire, for having saved my child and me his hapless mother! Only beware lest they fall upon us twain in some lonely spot upon the road and force me from thee, when they see thy age, my weakness,

and this child’s tender years; take heed to this, that we be not a second time made captive, after escaping now.

Forbear such words, prompted by a woman’s cowardice. Go on thy way; who will lay a finger on you? Methinks he will do it to his cost. For by heaven’s grace I rule o’er many a knight and spearman

bold in my kingdom of Phthia; yea, and myself can still stand straight, no bent old man as thou dost think; such a fellow as that a mere look from me will put to flight in spite of my years. For e’en an old man, be he brave, is worth a host of raw youths;

for what avails a fine figure if a man is a coward? Exeunt Peleus, Andromache, and Molossus.