 | Orestes |  |
SCENE THE FIRST.
Clytemnestra, Electra.Cly.
Leave me, Electra; go to thy apartments:
I wish to meet Ægisthus ...
Elec.
Ah, my mother!
Art thou already troubled by his absence?
And fear'st thou, that the thunderbolts of heaven
To ashes have consumed him, as he stood
Before the altar? Lay aside such fear;
Heaven hitherto, upon the impious here,
Hath shed perpetual blessings.
Cly.
Of Ægisthus
Cease thus to speak.
Elec.
'Tis true, his very name
Blisters the tongue that dares to give it utterance.
Oh! art thou she, that would'st erewhile with me
Bring secretly an offering to that tomb
Of tears and vows?
Cly.
Cease, cease; I must go hence.
Elec.
To meet the man, whom I have often heard,
By thine own lips pronounced, the instrument
Of all thy woes?
Cly.
'Tis true: happy with him
I never am; nor am I so without him.
Leave me.
Elec.
At least ... permit me ...
Cly.
What would'st thou?
Elec.
Ah! should she meet her son before Ægisthus?
| Orestes | |