[It is fortunate that Olivia cannot see how his countenance hardens for this news which strikes as suddenly as would the lightning hurled by the devious-minded son of Chronus. Here is the daughter Olivia would one day bear by another man: here is a reminder that however fully they cherish one another, love is no less mortal than men, and he must one day leave her behind to meet his fate upon the Dardanian plain, thus descending into the house of Hades where his shade shall dwell forever more. And she seems destined to fall in love with another, thus leaving him as a memory for whom stories might be told.
Such is the fate of a hero, whose happiness seems always to flee his grasp in the end.
There follows a length of silence as he tries to comprehend how this can even be, that one not yet born might find herself here, as he tries to comprehend too the implications of such a strange revelation as this. After a moment he speaks with measured words.]
How strange the fortune of men can sometimes be - and how glad you must be for so rare a reunion, dear Olivia.
[He thinks on how he would want Olivia to welcome his own son, his dear Neoptolemus, were he to be taken into ALASTAIR's custody. He would hope that she would treat him kindly although he was born of another woman's womb, and so when he addresses Lucina at last he tries to warm his words.]
Well met, Lucina, daughter of Olivia. I must apologize for my immodest state which you lately saw, and I hope you shall forgive me if I have offended your maidenly sensibilities. For you see, I expected not to greet you as well when I answered your mother.
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Such is the fate of a hero, whose happiness seems always to flee his grasp in the end.
There follows a length of silence as he tries to comprehend how this can even be, that one not yet born might find herself here, as he tries to comprehend too the implications of such a strange revelation as this. After a moment he speaks with measured words.]
How strange the fortune of men can sometimes be - and how glad you must be for so rare a reunion, dear Olivia.
[He thinks on how he would want Olivia to welcome his own son, his dear Neoptolemus, were he to be taken into ALASTAIR's custody. He would hope that she would treat him kindly although he was born of another woman's womb, and so when he addresses Lucina at last he tries to warm his words.]
Well met, Lucina, daughter of Olivia. I must apologize for my immodest state which you lately saw, and I hope you shall forgive me if I have offended your maidenly sensibilities. For you see, I expected not to greet you as well when I answered your mother.