no doubt that, in the field opened to him by Quinault and Molire, he would reign supreme unless another Euripides should arise.In the third act Andromache pleads with Hermione for the life of her son; but Hermione answers her scornfully:I understand your grief; but my father has spoken, and it is my stern duty to be silent. It is he who moves Pyrrhus to anger; but who can plead with Pyrrhus like yourself? Your eyes have long swayed him. Gain him to your side, and I will lend my voice.As Hermione sweeps away, Pyrrhus and his counsellor Phoenix enter, and the unhappy mother hears the counsellor say:PHOENIX: Let us give up Hector's son to the Greeks.ANDROMACHE: (Throwing herself at Pyrrhus' feet.) Ah, prince, pause! What will you do? If you give up the boy, give them his mother also. You who have sworn so much love for me, O Heaven, can I not touch your pity? Am I condemned without hope?PYRRHUS: Phoenix will tell you; my word is pledged.ANDROMACHE: You who would have braved for me so many perils!PYRRHUS: I was blind once; my eyes are opened now. I might then have granted you grace, but you did not even ask it. 'Tis now too late.ANDROMACHE: Ah, prince! You heard the sighs which feared refusal. Forgive the fallen greatness this remnant of pride that fears to show itself importunate. You know my wishes; and but for you Andromache would never have clasped the knees of a master . . . . See, then, the condition to which I am fallen. I have seen my father dead, and our walls thrown down; I have seen all my kindred perish. I have seen my husband dragged through the dust; his son reserved with me for chains. But what cannot a son do? I breathed, I hoped. I believed that our prison might become a refuge. Pardon, dear Hector, my credulity. I could not suspect thy enemy of a crime. In spite of myself, I thought him magnanimous.Pyrrhus feels his heart melting, and sends away Phoenix so that he may speak more freely; and he conjures Andromache to think ...
