Chapter 17Scene 5

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 the 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

Perseus the Deliverer 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? 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 Dam- ascus 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