University of Virginia Library

SCENE THE FIFTH.

Electra, Clytemnestra.
Elec.
Oh better consort of the best of kings!

Cly.
Alas! I am betray'd: thou hast betray'd me.
Electra, didst thou thus observe thy promise?
Thou to the king revealedst that Ægisthus—
Or whence ...

Elec.
I never named him to the king;
Elsewhere he learn'd it. All are emulous
To gain his favour in a thousand ways.
All wish to make themselves important to him.
Rather should'st thou feel wonder, that he did not
Know this before.

Cly.
But what imputes he to him?
Of what does he suspect him? Didst thou hear
Their conference? Why does he drive him hence?
And he, what did he answer? Did Atrides
Of me make mention to him?

Elec.
Be composed,
Oh mother; in the bosom of Atrides
Suspicion hath not enter'd. He ne'er dreams
Thou could'st betray him; and from hence art thou
Bound never to betray him. To Ægisthus
His words were not those of an enemy.

Cly.
But yet he's banish'd instantly from Argos.

Elec.
Oh, happy queen! thus from the brink thou art snatch'd
Of a tremendous precipice at once,
Ere thou advancest farther.

Cly.
He will go!

Elec.
By his departure will thy secret be
Effectually conceal'd; thou yet enjoyest
Th'entire affection of Atrides' heart.
More than aught else he wishes for thy love:
Impious detractors have not yet infected
His bosom with their poison; all is yet
Untouch'd. But woe, if those base miscreants,
And wicked as they are base, but, for a moment,
Discover in your confidence a flaw!
They then will emulously tell him all ...
Ah, mother! ... let compassion for thyself,
For us, and even for Ægisthus, move thee!
Banish'd from Argos, he will be secure
From the king's vengeance.

Cly.
If I lose Ægisthus,
What have I then to shrink from?

Elec.
Infamy.

Cly.
Leave me, Electra, to my terrible fate.

Elec.
Ah no! What hop'st thou? what would'st thou attempt?

Cly.
Thou innocent daughter of a guilty mother,
Leave me. Thou never more shalt hear me name
Ægisthus. Thee I'll not contaminate;
My poor, unhappy daughter, should not share
In my flagitious sighs.

Elec.
Ah, mother!

Cly.
Go.
Leave me to my own thoughts, and to the flame
That now devours me.—I insist upon it.