Page:Tragedies of Seneca (1907) Miller.djvu/372

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"He perished in the city's overthrow."
This cause alone ere now hath safety found
For many from the stroke of death belief
That they have died.
Andromache: ⁠But scanty hope is left;
Too huge a weight of race doth press him down.
Besides, what can it profit him to hide 495
Who must his shelter leave and face the foe?
Old Man: ⁠The victor's deadliest purposes are first.
Andromache: What trackless region, what obscure retreat
Shall hold thee safe? Oh, who will bring us aid
In our distress and doubt? Who will defend?
O thou, who always didst protect thine own, 500
My Hector, guard us still. Accept the trust
Which I in pious confidence impose;
And in the faithful keeping of thy dust
May he in safety dwell, to live again.
Then son, betake thee hither to the tomb.
Why backward strain, and shun that safe retreat?
I read thy nature right: thou scornest fear. 505
But curb thy native pride, thy dauntless soul,
And bear thee as thine altered fates direct.
For see what feeble forces now are left:
A sepulcher, a boy, a captive band.
We cannot choose but yield us to our woes.
Then come, make bold to enter the abode,
The sacred dwelling of thy buried sire.
If fate assist us in our wretchedness, 510
'Twill be to thee a safe retreat; if life
The fates deny, thou hast a sepulcher.
[The boy enters the tomb, and the gates are closed and barred behind
⁠him.]
Old Man: ⁠Now do the bolted gates protect their charge.
But thou, lest any sign of fear proclaim
Where thou hast hid the boy, come far away.
Andromache: Who fears from near at hand, hath less of fear; 515
But, if thou wilt, take we our steps away.
⁠[Ulysses is seen approaching.]
Old Man: ⁠Now check thy words awhile, thy mourning cease;