dem and placed it on the head of Andromache. "I give you," he said, "my faith and my crown. Andromache, reign over Epirus and me. I swear to your son a father's care. I call the gods to witness it, I swear it to his mother. His enemies shall be my enemies, and I acknowledge him as king of the Trojans." To these words the Greeks answered only with a cry of rage. They flung themselves upon Pyrrhus. Orestes saw him fall, and hurried forth to save the princess and convey her to her ships.Hermione's hate for Pyrrhus now turns to wrath and scorn for Orestes.HERMIONE: What have they done?ORESTES: Pardon their impatience. They have, I know, forestalled your revenge. You would that my hand had struck the first blow, that he should have known that he died for your cause. But it was my zeal that was their example; for you I led them to the temple. Yours is the honor of a deed which their arms have only executed. You alone inspired the blow--HERMIONE: Silence, traitor! This vile deed is thine alone. Go vaunt your fury among the Greeks. Go! I disown it and you. Savage! what have you done? With what fury have you cut the thread of a beautiful life? Speak! Who made thee the arbiter of his fate? Why have you killed him?--by what right? What had he done to thee?ORESTES: Gods above! What? Have not you yourself--you here, a moment since, ordained his death?Hermione replies to Orestes' excalmation:HERMIONE: Ah, who would believe an outraged lover? You should have read my spirit better. Saw you not through all my rage that my heart have the lie to my lips? Even if I said it, should you have consented? You should have made me repeat it a hundred times. You should have returned to consult me before giving the blow. You should have left to myself the care of my revenge. Adieu! you may depart. I remain in Epirus. I give up Greece, Sparta, my country, my family. It is enough for me, traitor, that they have produced a monster like you.Orestes is left bewildered a...
