University of Virginia Library

SCENE THE FIRST.

Ægisthus.
Ægis.
Oh bloody, angry, discontented shade
Of unavenged Thyestes, why pursue me?
Leave me, oh leave me, nor torment me thus;
Visit once more the sluggish Stygian waves.
All, all thy furies fill my breast; thy blood,
Too surely, runs through all my veins. I know
That I am the offspring of flagitious incest,
To guilt predoomed; nor is it requisite,
To bring this to my mind, that I should see thee.
That Agamemnon now returns to Argos
A haughty conqueror from Troy, I know.
Within his palace I expect him here;
Let him return; his triumph will be short,
I swear to thee. Vengeance shall guide my steps:

244

Vengeance resounds within my heart; the time
Approaches for it; thou shalt have it; here
More than one victim thou shalt have, Thyestes;
The blood of Atreus thou shalt drink in streams.
But I must have recourse to art, or ere
I use the sword: unaided, and alone,
Against a powerful king I stand: can I,
If in my breast my fury and my hate
I do not hide, victory o'er him obtain?