 | Agamemnon |  |
SCENE II.
Arsinoe and Egysthus.ARSINOE.
How now detested! But thou art secure—
It was with me, with me, Arsinoe,
That thy nocturnal ravishments were spent,
I brought thee, slave, from curry-combing mares
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To quell the odious odours of thy trade;
I shower'd the royal treasures on thy back;
I gave thee gems; e'en I, Arsinoe!
EGYSTHUS.
All true, good nurse; but cease this furious clamour.
ARSINOE.
All true! and dar'st thou smile and call it true?
Has Agamemnon come, and dar'st thou smile?
Thou that not many minutes since I saw
As lurch'd and cringing as a fact-found thief,
And wilt thou brag thyself my paramour?
EGYSTHUS.
If need will have it so. Look at this ring;
It is a jewel known to all the court;
You had it from the queen, and wore it often,
A glittering eye attracting star to all:
See where it shines enspher'd upon my finger.
ARSINOE.
I know, I know it well. Thy artful litter
Gave it to me; urg'd me to put it on.
And when I had some dozen times or so
Worn it abroad, she took it back again,
And now I see it on thy finger raying
As deadly as the eye of basilisk.
I cannot deal with such a sorceress.
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Shall we be friends again? Or will you still
Rave in defiance of such proof as this?
ARSINOE.
If I would screen, some other will betray,
And I shall suffer without serving you.
Wilt thou depart from Argos?
EGYSTHUS.
Without you!
ARSINOE.
What would my going hence avail to thee?
EGYSTHUS.
When I am gone you will accuse the queen.
ARSINOE.
And wilt thou stay? How! hop'st thou yet to share
Her lavish warmth, and Agamemnon here?
EGYSTHUS.
Were you but wise, all things might yet go well,
And turn of rich account, to you and me.
Come, let the courtiers take their laugh at us.
ARSINOE.
Avaunt from me. I thought thee in my power,
But thy familiar has unbound the cords,
And wrapp'd them round myself. What shall I do!
| Agamemnon | |