 | Clytemnestra |  |
SCENE I.
ORESTES.Now has the great predestined day arriv'd,
When by thy aid, O ever-radiant Phœbus,
Orestes must his destiny fulfil.
Tremendous destiny! that gives my hand
The matricidal knife!—Make firm my heart,
And to th'avenging of my father's death,
On her that bore me, grant such note and fame
To the dread act, that never guilt again,
Like Clytemnestra's, may surprize the world.
O Agamemnon! my heroic sire!
Could not the charm of thy atchiev'd renown
Restrain th'adultress!—Scarce from Troy return'd,
To be so murder'd,—and myself, poor babe!
To clear the kingdom for the lewd Egysthus,
218
But by the nurse who had my father rear'd,
Sav'd; and while yet unswaddled, sent by night
To my sad uncle's court. His kindly care
Bred me to manhood; but the Gods convinc'd
My early youth that they had work for me.
Blood will have blood. My father's claims the blow,
And my own wrongs extenuate the deed.
| Clytemnestra | |