University of Virginia Library

THE THIRD SCENE.

Strophilus.
Electra.
With solemne Pompe I Strophilus forsaking Phocis lande,
Bearing a braunch of Paulme, that growes at Elis, in my hand,
Returned backe I am, the cause that wild mee heather wend,
Is with these gyftes to gratefie and welcome home my frend,
Whose valiaunt army skalde, and shooke the tattred Troyan walles,
Who wearied with the ten yeares warre, now flat on floore shee falles.
What wofull wight is this that staynes her mourning face with teares,
And drowned deepe in drousy dumpes oppressed is with feares?
I know full well this damsell is of Prynces lynage borne.
What cause Electra hath this ioyfull family to morne?

ELE.
By treason that my mother wrought, my Father lieth slayne,
And drincking of their fathers cup the chyldren doe complayne.
Ægist engroceth Castels got by fornication.

STR.
A lack that of so longe a tyme, filicity is none.

ELE.
I thee request euen for the loue my father thou doest owe,
And for the honour of the crowne, whose brute abrode doth growe
In euery coast: and by the Gods that diuersly doe deale,
Take into thy tuicion, conuey away, and steale,
This poore Orest: such kinde of theft is piety in deede.

STR.
Although that Agamemnons death doth teach mee to take heede,
Yet will I vndertake the same, and with all diligence
Orestes shall I goe about with strength to haue thee hence.
Prosperity requireth faith, but trouble exacts the same,
Haue heere a pryce for those that doe contende and wage in game.
An Ornament with comely grace ordaynde to deck the brow,
And let thy heade be couerde with this greene and pleasaunt bow,
And cary this victorious triumphant braunche in hand.
God graunt this Paulme that planted was in fertill Pisa land,
(Where solemne games were celebrate Ioues honour to expresse)
May both a sauegarde bee to thee, and bring thee good successe.
Thou that bestryds thy fathers steedes, as he before hath done,
Goe stryke a league of amity with Pylades my sonne.
Now nimble Nagges let Greece heereof recording testify,
With headlong scouring course amayne this traytrous country fly.

ELE.
Hee is escapte and gone, and with vnmeasurable might
The Chariot horse with rayne at will doe scud out of my sight.
Now free from perill on my foes attendaunce will I make.
And offer willingly my head the deadly wounde to take.
The cruell conqueresse of her spouse is come, whose spotted weede
With sprinkels (signe of slaughter) doe beare recorde of her deede.
Her goary handes new bathde in bloude as yet they bee not dry,
Her rough and churlishe rigorous lookes the fact doe notify.
Unto the Temple will I trudge. Cassandra suffer mee,
Opprest with egall griefe, take parte of sacrifice with thee.