University of Virginia Library

SCENE THE SECOND.

Clytemnestra, Ægisthus.
Cly.
Alas!
Return: fly back with speed.

Ægis.
Ah, impious woman!
Dost thou too rush to arms?

Cly.
I would preserve thee:
Ah! hear me: I no longer am ...

Ægis.
Perfidious ...

Cly.
Stop.

Ægis.
Didst thou promise to surrender me
To that vile traitor living?

Cly.
Nay, I swear
From him to rescue thee, although I perish.
Ah, remain here; conceal thyself awhile;
Meanwhile I am thy rampart 'gainst his rage.

Ægis.
Arms 'gainst that rage will be a better rampart.
Go; leave me. I haste thither ...

Cly.
Where?

Ægis.
To kill him.

Cly.
Thou goest to certain death. What art thou doing?
Dost thou not hear the cries and menaces
Of all the people? No, I cannot leave thee.

Ægis.
In vain thou wishest from thy impious son
To ward the death-blow. Quit my side; be silent;
Leave me, or I ...

Cly.
Do thou, Ægisthus; yes,
Destroy me, if thou canst not trust to me.
“Orestes!” Hear'st thou? How they shout, “Orestes!”
How all around us that terrific name
Sounds like a blast of death! Ah! I am now
No more a mother! If thou art in danger,
'Gainst my own blood my heart once more is hardened.

Ægis.
Thou know'st thy sight is hateful to the Argives:
And if thou now wouldst shew thyself to them,
Their rage thou wouldst redouble. But the shout
Increases. Ah! thou wert the cause of this,
Perfidious! vengeance I delay'd for thee,
Which now reverts on me.

Cly.
Ah! kill me then.

Ægis.
I will find safety by some other means.

Cly.
I follow thee.

Ægis.
Ill wilt thou be my shield.
Leave me, depart; whatever be the event,
Thy presence importunes me. Hence, away.