Page:Tragedies of Seneca (1907) Miller.djvu/365

Rh Of wedlock, I shall not permit. On me The blame of all will come; for he who sin Forbids not when he can, commits the sin. Pyrrhus: Shall no reward Achilles' shade obtain? Agamemnon: Yea, truly; all the Greeks shall sing his praise, And unknown lands shall hear his mighty name. But if his shade demand a sacrifice Of out-poured blood, go take our richest flocks, And shed their blood upon thy father's tomb; But let no mother's tears pollute the rite. What barbarous custom this, that living man Should to the dead be slain in sacrifice? Then spare thy father's name the hate and scorn Which by such cruel worship it must gain. Pyrrhus: Thou, swoll'n with pride so long as happy fate Uplifts thy soul, but weak and spent with fear When fortune frowns; O hateful king of kings, Is now thy heart once more with sudden love Of this new maid inflamed? Shalt thou alone So often bear away my father's spoils? By this right hand he shall receive his own. And if thou dost refuse, and keep the maid, A greater victim will I slay, and one More worthy Pyrrhus' gift; for all too long From royal slaughter hath my hand been free, And Priam asks an equal sacrifice. Agamemnon: Far be it from my wish to dim the praise That thou dost claim for this most glorious deed— Old Priam slain by thy barbaric sword, Thy father's suppliant. Pyrrhus: I know full well My father's suppliants—and well I know His enemies. Yet royal Priam came, And made his plea before my father's face; Put thou, o'ercome with fear, not brave enough Thyself to make request, within thy tent Didst trembling hide, and thy desires consign To braver men, that they might plead for thee. Agamemnon: Put, of a truth, no fear thy father felt;