-16_Act Four -Scene-5.htm

The sea-shore.

Andromeda, dishevelled, bare-armed and unsandalled, stripped of all but a single light robe, stands on a wide low ledge under a rock jutting out from the cliff with the sea washing below her feet. She is chained to a rock behind her by her wrists and ankles, her arms stretched at full length against its side.
Polydaon, Perissus, Damoetes and a number of Syrians stand near on the great rocky platform projecting from the cliff of which the ledge is the extremity.

POLYDAON

There meditate affronts to dire Poseidon.

Rescue thyself, thou rescuer of victims!

I am sorry that thy marriage, sweet Andromeda,

So poorly is attended. I could have wished

To have all Syria gazing at thy nuptials

With thy rare Ocean bridegroom! Thy mother most

Should have been here to see her lovely princess

So meetly robed for bridal, with these ornaments

Upon her pretty hands and feet. She has

Affairs too pressing. We do some surgery

Upon thy brother Iolaus’ heart

To draw the bad blood out and make it holy,

And she must watch the skilful operation.

Do not weep, fair one. Soon, be confident,

They’ll meet thee in that wide house where all are going.

Think of these things until thy lover comes.

Farewell.

PERISSUS

Art thou mad, priest Polydaon ? How thou grinnest and drawest
back thy black lips from thy white teeth in thy rapture! Hast
thou gone clean mad, my skilful carver of hearts! art thou beside
thyself, my ancient schoolmate and crony?

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SYRIANS

To the temple! To the temple!

POLYDAON

Let one remain above the cliff,
And watch the monster’s advent and his going.
Till I have news of dead Andromeda
The sacrifice cannot begin. Who stays ?

DAMOETES

Not I!

ALL

Nor I! nor I! nor I!

DAMOETES

As well stay here with the girl and be torn with her!

PERISSUS

Do you quake, my brave shouters ? must you curl your tails in
between your manly legs? I will stay, priest, who fear neither
dog nor dragon. I am Perissus, I am the butcher.

POLYDAON

I’ll not forget thy service, good Perissus.

PERISSUS

Will you then make me butcher-in-chief to your viceroy in
Damascus, and shall I cut my joints under the patronage of King
Polydaon? To the temple. Syrian heroes! I will go and cross
my legs on the cliff-top.

They go. Andromeda is left alone.

Curtain

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