University of Virginia Library

ACT THE FIFTH.

SCENE THE FIRST.

Scene, an anti-chamber in the palace.
ÆGYSTHUS and LYCON, meeting.
LYCON.
Health to the majesty of Argos.

ÆGYSTHUS.
Lycon!
I joy to meet thee. My impatient heart
Has panted for intelligence. The rebels—

LYCON.
Are still entrench'd within the grove—and seem—

ÆGYSTHUS.
What! will they brave me?—With the strength I have
I'll force them thence, or—

LYCON.
Think upon the danger
Of so precipitate an enterprize.
I fear too many of your subjects souls
Abet their trait'rous purpose. To attack 'em,
And to miscarry, will encourage others
Boldly to hurl defiance at your throne.
You must be circumspect—and yet delay
Will wear a face of fear—what to advise—
O for the inspiration of some God!

ÆGYSTHUS.
For that, my Lycon, all this tedious night
My soul has suffer'd on a rack of thought.
Ten thousand apprehensions crowding came,
And strew'd with thorns my pillow—nor approach'd
The God of slumber, with his lenient touch
To seal my aching eye-lids, and relieve
My heart one moment from its galling load.
Successive schemes my wearying mind revolv'd—
But ineffectual all. Nor had the lark
Her early mattin chaunted to the morn,
Ere I arose—unrested—unresolv'd.
And yet what course—one means we must apply—
And that has difficulties too—'tis—

LYCON.
Death!—
I have consider'd, and the prince must die.

ÆGYSTHUS.
How readily thy genius runs with mine—
Friend to my purpose.—But, my faithful Lycon,
How can the precious bus'ness be perform'd?
A public execution might prove fatal—
Yet with concealment 'twill not reach our end.
The mad'ning croud, to blast rebellion's growth,
And root up ranc'rous hope—must know 'tis done.
On thee, good Lycon, shall I not rely
To do th' important service?—tell me—

LYCON.
Yes—
Orestes falls your victim.

ÆGYSTHUS.
And Electra.

LYCON.
There must my heart turn rebel and resist.

ÆGYSTHUS.
Nay stop not, half-way down, my stooping vengeance!
The quarry my impatient soul would seize
Is full security. And can I boast,
While that incendiary lives, an hour of safety?
Thou know'st I cannot. Therefore, if thou lov'st me,
Strike with a resolution nobly firm,
And rid my breast at once of ev'ry fear.

LYCON.
A lover's feelings—

ÆGYSTHUS.

LYCON.
Tremendous impulse!—

ÆGYSTHUS.
Wilt thou?—

LYCON.
'Tis decreed—
She falls at once the victim of my love
And your revenge. Propose the lucky means,
And all shall be accomplish'd.

ÆGYSTHUS.
Take this key—
It masters ev'ry lock—and gives thee passport
Safe, by the secret passage, to their cells.
Firm well thy heart against her tears and pleadings
With this rememb'rance—half Mycenæ's wealth
And my unbounded favour crown the deed.
Then let not frailty wrong thy int'rest—

LYCON.
No—
Though in the way I met my father's ghost,
His brow contracted, and his awful form
Sternly oppos'd, and threat'ning! by his side,
The shade of my much-honour'd mother kneeling,
With supplicating looks—and out-stretch'd arms,
Stopping the scanty avenue before me—
On I would go. Should ev'n the yawning earth
Gape and discover all the damn'd in torture,
I'd not shrink back. Then banish ev'ry doubt:
For by the hopes with which you glad my heart,
They both shall perish.

ÆGYSTHUS.
Dear—deserving Lycon!
Let me embrace thee—be resolv'd—be happy.

SCENE THE SECOND.

ÆGYSTHUS
, solus.
Then I am victor!—Then I reign secure.
Treason shall with her hated objects die,
And my ambition and revenge alike
Be fully crown'd.—Hah! Clytemnestra here!

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,

SCENE THE FOURTH.

CLYTEMNESTRA
, sola.
Barbarian, stay.—He's gone—he's gone to doom 'em!
To bathe his ruthless hands in orphan-blood
And rend the entrails of a wife!—Great Gods!
Arrest the fell assassin's impious arm,
And turn his dagger on the heart that's guilty.
[Distant shouting behind.
Hah!—whence that shout!—my trembling soul alarm'd,
Now shrinks at each intruding apprehension!
[Shouting again.
Another!—and approaching!—let 'em come—
Let gath'ring mischiefs cluster, and involve
The injur'rs with the injur'd.—Pow'rs of mercy!—
However justice deals with such as me—
Oh! interpose and succour—save my children.

SCENE THE FIFTH.

Scene, a dark prison.
ORESTES
, solus, lying at his length.
[Rises.

SCENE THE SIXTH.

ORESTES, and ELECTRA, with a lighted torch one hand and a drawn sword in the other.
ELECTRA.
Take this sword—
[He takes the sword and torch.
And seize the happy minute for escape.

ORESTES.
Amazement!—Whence this providential turn?
Thy dress is all disorder'd! and thy face
Full of affright and horror!—What has happen'd?

ELECTRA.
I want the breath to give it utt'rance.—Lycon—
With ruffian violence, assail'd my honour.
At first with soothing vows he sought to conquer—
Till finding they were fruitless—he then menac'd.
But impotent alike in that attempt—
His last essay was force!—I trembled—shriek'd—
And call'd on all the host of heav'n to aid me!
Till in the struggle—sure some pitying God
Inspir'd the thought—I sudden drew his sword,
And plung'd it thro' his heart. He backward sprung
Upon the pavement!—roll'd his ghastly eyes—
Blasphem'd, and curst—'till, with a dreadful roar
Of mingled rage and pain, his furious soul
Broke from the quiv'ring flesh!

ORESTES.
All gracious pow'rs!
The work was yours.

ELECTRA.
I seiz'd that friendly torch,
And found the key that gave him ent'rance. Soon
I try'd it on your cell—for I remark'd
Where they dispos'd you when they brought us hither—
And found, transported, 'twas a passport to you.
O, my Orestes, how I bless the Gods,
That I once more am made their instrument
To save your precious life. But haste we hence,
And thro' yon vaulted mazes—dreary scenes—
Trace out our path to safety.

[A confused noise behind.
ORESTES.
Hah!—What noise?

ELECTRA.
O my distracting fears! Some new arrest!
Ruin pursues us on too sure a scent.

ORESTES.
The sounds increase! Whatever the event,
We cannot shun it.

ELECTRA.
Grudging destiny!
Was all you could afford this short-liv'd hope?
Alas, my brother, what my arm has done
Will nothing stead thee now. Howe'er, at least
The mournful satisfaction it secures,
That we shall die together.

ORESTES.
Here I'll stand
To intercept all danger on its way—
And guard, while I have pow'r to wield a sword,
My dear Electra's life.

ELECTRA.
See! they approach!
Hear you their clashing weapons?

ORESTES.
Keep behind me.
How fearful are the gleams of flashing light,
Which from their tapers, thro' the bending arches,
Stream onward broken glares!

ELECTRA.
Now—now they come!

ORESTES.
Pray be compos'd. Your terrors more depress
A heart that bleeds—astonishment!—my friend?

SCENE THE SEVENTH.

ORESTES, ELECTRA, PYLADES and Attendants, with lights.
PYLADES.
O my Orestes!—do my arms entwine thee!—
[Embracing him.
Electra too!—This, this indeed is transport—
[Embracing her.
Pardon the rude expression of my joy!

ORESTES.
Say, Pylades, what miracle redeems us?
What blest event? For such, my gallant friend,
Thy eyes discover, ere thy tongue relates it.

PYLADES.
A miracle indeed—and worthy heav'n!
Your arms prevail—your diadem is won—
Your enemy in chains—

ORESTES.
Benignant Gods!

ELECTRA.
Proceed.

PYLADES.

ORESTES.
Transporting tidings!—Haste we to the spot—
My soul's on fire 'till I've accomplish'd all.

SCENE THE EIGHTH.

Scene, an interior court of the palace.
ÆTHON, Nobles and Officers.
ÆTHON.
Place trusty centinels at ev'ry door,
And send out parties to patrole the streets,
That peace and order may resume their sway.

SCENE THE NINTH.

ÆTHON, Nobles and MELISANDER.
[Shouting heard from behind.
ÆTHON.
Whence, Melisader, that tumultuous noise?

MELISANDER.
The loyal transports of the populace,
On being told Orestes is in safety.

ÆTHON.
Are all the tyrant's instruments of mischief,
His guards and mercenary creatures seiz'd?

MELISANDER.
All are secur'd. The government and city
Are in our hands. So total a revolt
Was wonderful!—and worthy of the people
O'er whom immortal Agamemnon reign'd.

[Shrieking heard from behind.
ÆTHON.
Heard you those shrieks?—

MELISANDER.
Almighty pow'rs! defend us
From aught, in such an hour, to mar our triumph.

ÆTHON.
They seem'd to issue from the state-apartments!

MELISANDER.
On minds like ours, from perils scarce recover'd,
The least alarm strikes terror!—This, tho' void
Of grounds for apprehension, makes me tremble.

ÆTHON.
Arcas descends the palace-stairs in haste—
By all the Gods, his visage wears dismay!

SCENE THE TENTH.

ÆTHON, MELISANDER, Nobles and ARCAS.
MELISANDER.
Some dire disaster!—My much honour'd friend,
Ease our impatient hearts, and instant say,
From whence, and why, those piercing sounds of horror?

ARCAS.
Unhappy accident!—The minute past,
Orestes rushing with impetuous rage
To execute his vengeance on Ægysthus,
The queen, his mother, interposing, met
The fury of his arm, and in her breast
Receiv'd the wound intended for her lord.
She bleeds to death!—while her distracted offspring
Dissolve in melting agonies.

MELISANDER.
Great Gods!
Inspire our friendship to relieve their woes.

SCENE THE ELEVENTH.

Scene, a magnificent apartment.
CLYTEMNESTRA is discovered wounded and bleeding in a chair. On one side of her, Ægysthus in chains, guarded. On the other, Electra, fainting in the arms of her Attendants. Forwarder on the stage stands Orestes, leaning on the bosom of Pylades, his naked sword lying bloody before him.
ORESTES.
Speak not of comfort to me—there's a sight
Must banish it forever from my mind.

PYLADES.
What shall I say to soften sorrow?

ORESTES.
Nothing.
Oh! I'm a finish'd wretch!—nor hope, nor peace
Can more be mine. Henceforth must ev'ry man,
And ev'ry God, abhor me for this deed.

SCENE THE TWELFTH.

ORESTES, PYLADES, ÆGYSTHUS, CLYTEMNESTRA, ELECTRA, MELISANDER, ARCAS, ÆTHON, Nobles, Attendants and Guards.
MELISANDER.
My royal lord—

ORESTES.
Too faithful, Melisander,
Behold in what thy gen'rous labours end!
Thy care has been to nurse a parricide!
Pour forth thy execrations—and the world
Will join in cursing the detested hand
That shed a mother's blood.

CLYTEMNESTRA.
Forbear, my son,
Nor more accuse thyself. The righteous Gods
Decreed that thou, whom I so much have wrong'd,
Should'st punish my transgressions. In my fall,
I trace the justice of offended heav'n,
And hold thee blameless. Let my dying voice,
Experienc'd long in guilt and its effects,
Warn thee, my child, to persevere in virtue;
For happiness is vainly hop'd without it.
When innocence is gone, th' unstable mind
Floats, like a wreck upon the boist'rous waves,
The sport and prey of each unruly passion—
Till at life's close—the judgement seat in view—
How shall I face a murd'red husband there!
O think, offenders, on this awful minute—
For 'twill o'ertake ye all—and ev'ry one
Must tremble and despair—like—oh!

[Dies.
ORESTES.
Electra!—

ELECTRA.
I would speak comfort—but my falt'ring tongue—

ORESTES.
I now am past it.—Why d'ye look so gentle?
Why is not ev'ry arm uprear'd against me?
Is there no man—no God, will interpose,
And temper mercy with becoming justice?
Will all combine to spare—A light'ning's blast!
A fire consumes—a whirlwind tears my brain!

PYLADES.
Alas, he raves!—Distemper'd reason dies.

ORESTES.
All's hush'd!—The raven now forbears to croak
Her hollow notes—foreboding desolation!
The matricide may pause!—One fearful minute
Th' infernal sisters yield—Ah! now they yell!
They grind their teeth!—they lash me!—Oh! my torture!

ARCAS.
Help—hold him—

ÆTHON.
Melting object!

ORESTE.
Wer't not thou
A damn'd accomplice with me?—Come, and take
Thy portion from the scourge of stern Alecto.
Her serpents hiss!—Oh! from my bosom rend
This fierce promethean eagle, whose fell beak
So mangles my poor heart.

[Sinking into the arms of the attendants.
MELISANDER.
Bear hence the king.
And, pious princess, let your care assist
To comfort and relieve his wounded mind.

ELECTRA.
Be ev'ry God propitious to the task.

SCENE THE THIRTEENTH.

ÆGYSTHUS, MELISANDER, ARCAS, ÆTHON, Nobles, Attendants and Guards, with the dead body of CLYTEMNESTRA.
MELISANDER.
Take hence that tyrant to the fate he merits.
On the same spot where Agamemnon bled
Let him be executed. Then cast forth
His carcass, for a prey to dogs and vultures.

ÆGYSTHUS.

SCENE THE LAST.

MELISANDER, ARCAS, ÆTHON, Nobles and Attendants, with the dead body of CLYTEMNESTRA.
MELISANDER.
Tremendous proof how far habitual crimes
Can harden human minds! But the just Gods,
Who partial evils turn to gen'ral good,
From such examples signify to man,
That peace by wickedness is surely marr'd,
And guilt will ever find its fit reward.