The Distrest Mother/Act 2, Scene 4
SCENE IV.
Orestes, Pyrrhus and Phœnix.
Pyr.I was in Pain to find you, Prince. My warm,
Ungovern'd Temper would not let me weigh
The Importance of your Embassy; and hear
You argue for my Good.———I was to blame.
I since have poised your Reasons: And I thank
My good Allies: Their Care deserves my Thanks.
You have convinced me, that the Weal of Greece,
My Father's Honour, and my own Repose
Demand, that Hector's Race should be destroy'd.
I shall deliver up Astyanax;
And you, your self, shall bear the Victim hence.
Ungovern'd Temper would not let me weigh
The Importance of your Embassy; and hear
You argue for my Good.———I was to blame.
I since have poised your Reasons: And I thank
My good Allies: Their Care deserves my Thanks.
You have convinced me, that the Weal of Greece,
My Father's Honour, and my own Repose
Demand, that Hector's Race should be destroy'd.
I shall deliver up Astyanax;
And you, your self, shall bear the Victim hence.
Orest.If you approve it, Sir, and are content
To spill the Blood of a defenceless Child;
The offended Greeks, no doubt, will be appeas'd.
To spill the Blood of a defenceless Child;
The offended Greeks, no doubt, will be appeas'd.
Pyr.Closer to strain the Knot of our Alliance,
I have determin'd to espouse Hermione.
You come in time to grace our Nuptial Rites:
In you the Kings of Greece will all be present;
And you have Right to personate her Father,
As his Ambassadour, and Brother's Son.
Go, Prince, renew your Visit; tell Hermione,
To-Morrow I receive her from your Hands.
I have determin'd to espouse Hermione.
You come in time to grace our Nuptial Rites:
In you the Kings of Greece will all be present;
And you have Right to personate her Father,
As his Ambassadour, and Brother's Son.
Go, Prince, renew your Visit; tell Hermione,
To-Morrow I receive her from your Hands.
Orest. [Aside.]O Change of Fortune! Oh, undone Orestes!