Stasimon 3
[Episode]
but for thee have I no tie of affection; for verily it cost me a great part of my life to capture Troy and thy mother; so thou shalt reap the fruit thereof and into Hades’ halls descend.
540
Chorus
Behold! I see Peleus drawing nigh; with aged step he hasteth hither.
545
Peleus
calling out as he comes in sight. What means this? I ask you and your executioner; why is the palace in an uproar? give a reason; what mean your lawless machinations?
Menelaus, hold thy hand. Seek not to outrun justice. To his attendant. Forward! faster, faster! for this matter, methinks, admits of no delay; now if ever would I fainHerwerden conjectures μενοινῶ for μ᾽ ἐπαινῶ, which is certainly a strange expression. resume the vigour of my youth. First however
550
will I breathe new life into this captive, being to her as the breeze that blows a ship before the wind. Tell me, by what right have they pinioned thine arms and are dragging thee and thy child away? like a ewe with her lamb art thou led to the slaughter, while I and thy lord were far away.
555
Andromache
Behold them that are haling me and my child to death,
e’en as thou seest, aged prince. Why should I tell thee? For not by one urgent summons alone but by countless messengers have I sent for thee. No doubt thou knowest by hearsay of the strife in this house with this man’s daughter, and the reason of my ruin.
560
So now they have torn and are dragging me from the altar of Thetis, the goddess of thy chiefest adoration and the mother of thy gallant son, without any proper trial, yea, and without waiting for my absent master; because, forsooth, they knew my defencelessness
565
and my child’s, whom they mean to slay with me his hapless mother, though he has done no harm. But to thee, O sire, I make my supplication, prostrate at thy knees, though my hand cannot touch thy friendly beard; save me, I adjure thee, reverend sir,
570
or to thy shame and my sorrow shall we be slain.
575
Peleus
Loose her bonds, I say, ere some one rue it; untie her folded hands.
Menelaus
I forbid it, for besidesReading τάλλα τ᾽ with Nauck for γ᾽ ἄλλος. being a match for thee,
I have a far better right to her.
580
Peleus
What! art thou come hither to set my house in order? Art not content with ruling thy Spartans?
Menelaus
She is my captive; I took her from Troy.
Peleus
Aye, but my son’s son received her as his prize.
Menelaus
Is not all I have his, and all his mine?
585
Peleus
For good, but not evil ends; and surely not for murderous violence.
Menelaus
Never shalt thou wrest her from my grasp.
Peleus
With this good staff I’ll stain thy head with blood!
