Maid Mistress mine, be sure I do not hesitate to call thee by that name, seeing that I thought it thy right in thine own house also, when we dwelt in Troy-land: as I was ever thy friend and thy husband’s while yet he was alive, so now have I come with strange tidings, in terror lest any of our masters learn hereof but still out of pity for thee; for Menelaus and his daughter are forming dire plots against thee, whereof thou must beware.
Andromache Ah! kind companion of my bondage, for such thou art to her, who, erst thy queen, is now sunk in misery; what are they doing? What new schemes are they devising in their eagerness to take away my wretched life?
Maid Alas! poor lady, they intend to slay thy son, whom thou hast privily conveyed from out the house.
Andromache Ah me! Has she heard that my babe was put out of her reach? Who told her? Woe is me! how utterly undone!
Maid I know not, but thus much of their schemes I heard myself; and Menelaus has left the house to fetch him.
Andromache Then am I lost; ah, my child! those vultures twain will take and slay thee; while he who is called thy father lingers still in Delphi.
Maid True, for had he been here thou wouldst not have fared so hardly, I am sure; but, as it is, thou art friendless.
Andromache Have no tidings come of the possible arrival of Peleus?
Maid He is too old to help thee if he came.
Andromache And yet I sent for him more than once.
Maid Surely thou dost not suppose that any of thy messengers heed thee?
Andromache Why should they? Wilt thou then go for me?
Maid How shall I explain my long absence from the house?
Andromache Thou art a woman; thou canst invent a hundred ways.
Maid There is a risk, for Hermione keeps no careless guard.
Andromache Dost look to that? Thou art disowning thy friends in distress.
Maid Not so; never taunt me with that. I will go, for of a truth a woman and a slave is not of much account, e’en if aught befall, me.
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