SCENE THE ELEVENTH.
ORESTES, PYLADES, MELISANDER, ÆTHON, and the
Phocian train.
MELISANDER.
Thus far, my prince, secure with fortune's gale
Our prosp'rous pinnace glides. Your eyes have seen
The spoilers of your father's crown and life:
Who having reap'd in fields of high renown
A glorious harvest, brought the purchase home,
And, in full prospect of enjoyment, plum'd
Indulgent hope for long successive years.
But he, who triumph'd o'er the fiercest foes,
Was in his palace, which his guards surrounded,
By treason butcher'd: by the wiles and hands
Of those whom most on earth he had oblig'd,
A wife he doated on, and trusted friend.
Nor meant they there to stop. His kingdom's hope,
Yourself, alike was destin'd, tho' a child.
But the good Gods, by timely interposing,
For righteous vengeance rescu'd you from slaughter:
And here their sacred delegate you stand,
To drive the dreadful bolt. Discharge it then
With all the dignity becomes a king!
Be steady, and be just. No wanton rage
Must be indulg'd. Yet awfully serene,
Redress your subjects, sister and yourself:
Punish oppression, root out tyranny,
Tear usurpation from the throne it stains,
And doom the shedders of your father's blood.
ORESTES.
O Melisander! give my heart a little,
A little leisure, that I may subdue
The grief, astonishment and indignation,
With which 'tis heaving, heavy and opprest.
Yes, my great father, royal Agamemnon,
You shall have signal, shall have full revenge.
My suff'ring people too shall have redress:
And thou, Electra—there my bosom bleeds—
Ye saw, my friends, her speechless agonies!
Ye saw her piety—ye saw her love.
PYLADES.
To ease that anguish asks your earliest care.
Occasion must be watch'd for time and place
To steal upon her in a lonely minute,
And give her the delight to see you safe.
ORESTES.
O Pylades! the wish'd-for hour advances—
The field of glory opens full before me!
From ease I start, from ev'ry soft'ning joy,
Whose bliss enervates, and whose pleasures cloy.
An active warmth my kindling soul inspires,
And in my bosom rage resistless fires!
Come thou, my friend, and let us jointly raise
One common glory, one immortal praise!
Our brave atchievements, and our social flame,
Together blazon on the rolls of fame.
