Embrace thy master’s knees, my child, and pray to him.MolossusSpare, O spare my life, kind master!AndromacheMine eyes are wet with tears, which trickle down my cheeks, as doth a sunless spring from a smooth rock. Ah me!MolossusWhat remedy, alas! can I provide me ’gainst my ills?

MenelausWhy fall at my knees in supplication? hard as the rock and deaf as the wave am I. My own friends have I helped, 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.ChorusBehold! I see Peleus drawing nigh; with aged step he hasteth hither.Peleuscalling 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 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.AndromacheBehold 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.