University of Virginia Library

SCENE THE SEVENTH.

Orestes, Pylades, Electra, Followers of Orestes and Pylades.
Ores.
Let none of you now venture in my cause
To slay Ægisthus: I, and I alone
Possess the weapon destined to that deed.—
Ægisthus, where art thou, thou recreant coward?
Ægisthus, where art thou? A voice of death
Calls thee; where art thou? ... Dost thou not come forth?
Ah vile! dost hide thyself? In vain; to thee
Not e'en the centre of deep Erebus
Shall be a refuge. Thou shalt quickly see
That I am truly Agamemnon's son.

Elec.
... He ... is not here.

Ores.
Traitors! ye, ye perchance
Have slain him without me!

Py.
Or ere I came
He from the palace fled.

Ores.
He hides himself
Within the palace: I will hale him thence.—
Here shall my hand by thy soft tresses drag thee:
There are no prayers, or powers of heaven or hell
That can from me release thee. I will make thee
With thy abhorred carcass plough the dust
E'en to my father's tomb. There will I drag thee,
And from thy veins, e'en to the latest drop,
Drain thy adulterous life-blood.

Elec.
Dost thou not
Believe me, brother? not believe Electra?

Ores.
And who art thou? I sought Ægisthus here.

Py.
He flies.

Ores.
He flies! and ye, vile, here ye stand.
Soon will I find him.