University of Virginia Library

SCENE THE THIRD.

ÆGYSTHUS and CLYTEMNESTRA.
CLYTEMNESTRA.
Tell me, Ægysthus, for my boding heart
Flutters and fears, as does the parent-bird
When danger threatens her defenceless young—
Where are my children? I'm not lost enough
To nature, not so much a savage yet,
And harden'd in my guilt, to bear the thought
Of treas'ring woes and multiplying crimes,
By endless wrongs and never-ceasing murders.

ÆGYSTHUS.
After advancing hand in hand so far
In blood and desolation, would'st thou stop,
And risk a reck'ning for our whole account,
Thro' squeamish terror at one added stroke?
No—we have gone too far for a retreat,
And must proceed. The woman who once dar'd
To plot a husband's death, might spare to plead
In the behalf of her rebellious offspring.

CLYTEMNESTRA.
All-seeing Gods!—And dar'st thou, vile deluder,
Accuse me falsely of that damning deed?
The wicked act was thine. In me I feel
'Twas guilt enough—too much, that I was privy—
Prevented not—or pardon'd it when done.

ÆGYSTHUS.
Whose-e'er the crime, we shar'd in happier fruits
As now in dangers from it. Therefore think
What mischiefs menace in thy rash request.
Our happiness, our beings—crowns—

CLYTEMNESTRA.
No matter—
Let us resign them all—submit to beg,
A miserable pair, about the world—
To hazard perils—welcome ev'ry ill,
Want, shame, affliction, punishment—ev'n death!
Rather than hold our scepters and our lives
By braving earth and heav'n with endless outrage.

ÆGYSTHUS.

CLYTEMNESTRA.

ÆGYSTHUS.
Forgiveness?
Forever blasted be the tongue that asks it.
Damnation! Is thy spirit so debas'd,
So sunk from glorious hope—divine ambition?
How I detest thee!—Hence to howling wilds,
Thy abject wish, and hide thyself forever,