Electra Governor O son of gi^eat Atrides ! he who led Embattled Greece to Troy's devoted walls, At length behold what thy desmng eyes So long have sought. Behold thy native soil, Thy much-loved Argos, and the hallowed grove Of lo, frantic maid. On this side lies The Lycian forum, on the left the fane Of Juno, far renowned. Behold ! we come To rich Mycense, and the slaughterous house Of Pelops' hapless race, from whose sad walls Long since I bore thee, at thy sister's hand Gladly rocoivod, niul with paternal oiire To this blest clay have fostered up thy youth, Till riper years should give thee to return, And pay with dire revenge thy father's murder. Now, my Orestes, and thou dear companior Of all our suft'erings, much-loved Pylades, Let deepest counsel sway our just resolves ; /For lo ! resplendent Pha-bus wifh his light / Calls up t lie cheerful birds to early song, VAnd gloomy night hath lost her starry train : Pours forth her busy throngs, this instant here JiOt us consult. Believe me, 'tis no time For dull delay ; 'tis the decisive hour, And this the very crisis of our fate. Orestes ( V)me then, my friends, and ere th' awakened city What proofs thou giv'st me of tlie noblest nature And true benevolence, thou good old man ! Of servants sure the faithfullest and best That ever bore the name : the generous steed, Though worn with years, thus keeps his wonted courage. And warns his master of approaching danger; fjike him thou stir'st me up to noble deeds. And follow'st me undaunted : but attend To what I have resolved, and if I err, ^Let thy superior judgment set mfiriglit. When to the Delphic oracle I flew, Eager to know how on my father's foes J best might satiate my revenge, the god Enjoined me not by force or open arms To rush upon them, but with guileful arts And silent well-conducted fraud betraythem. Such was his wdll. Thou, therefore, soon as time Shall lend thee opportunity, unknown And unsuspected (as thy absence hence For so long space and hoary age shall make thee) Must steal upon them, learn their secret counsels, As soon thou mayst, and quick inform us of them ; Say thou'rt of Phocis, from Phanoteus sent By one who is their friend and firm ally ; Sav, and confirm it with a solemn oath. Orestes is no more — by a rude shock Thrown from his chariot at the Pythian games. Be this thy tale : meantime (for thus the god His will divine expressed) my father's tomb With due libations and devoted hair Ourselves will crown ; and thence returning bring, From the dark covert where thou knowst 'twas hid, The brazen urn. Thei-e, we shall tell the tyrant — Thrice welcome news ! — Orestes' ashes lie. What should deter me from the pious fraud? Since my feigned death but gains me real fame, And I shall wake to better life : the deed Which brings success and honour, must be good. Oft times the wisest and the best of men From death like this have rose with added greatness ; E'en so thy friend to his deluded foes Shall soon return unlooked-for, and before them Shine like a star with more distinguished lustre. O my loved country ! and its guardian gods, Receive Ore.^tes, and with happy omen Propitious smile ! And thou, paternal seat — For lo ! by Heaven's command I come to purge thee Of vile usurpers, and avenge thy wrongs — Drive me not from thee an abandoned exile With infamy, but grant me to possess My father's throne, and fix his injured race. Thus far 'tis well. My faithful minister, Thou to thy office, we to ours with speed ; So time and opportunity require On whom the fate of mortals must depend. Governor Methought a mournful voice Spake from within. Shall we not stay and hearken to it ? Governor No : First be Apollo's great behests obeyed Before thy father's tomb. That pious deed Performed shall fire our souls with nobler wariuih, And crown our bold attempt with fair success. [ExucuL Eleotra. O hJicred light I and O thou ambient aii' ! Her sighs and groans, and witnessed to her woes, Which ever as each hateful morn appeared T poured befoi-e you : what at eve retired I felt of anguish my sad couch alone Can tell, which watered nightly with my tears Received me sorrowing — tliat best can tell What pangs I suffered for a hapless father, Whom not tlie god of war with ruthless hand Struck nobly fighting in a distant soil. But my fell mother, and the cursed ^gisthus, The partner of her bed, remorseless slew. Untimely didst thou fall, lamented shade, Nor shall she ce;ise to mourn thee, while these eyes View the fair heavens or behold the sun ! Never ! oh, never ! Like the nightingale. Whose plaintive song bewails her ravished brood, Here will I still lament my father's wrongs, And teach the echo to repeat my moan. O ye infernal deities ! and thou Terrestrial Hermes ! and thou, Nemesis, Replete with curses ! and ye vengeful Furies, Offspring of gods, the ministers of wrath To vile adulterers, who with pity view The slaughtered innocent— behold this deed ! Oh ! come, assist, revenge my father's murder ; Quickly, oh, quickly bring me my Orestes ; For lo ! 1 sink beneath oppressive woe, And can no longer bear the weight alone. Chorus Scene II. Scene III. O wretched daughter of an impious mother ! '^I'ilt thou for ever mourn, for ever thus, With unavailing tears and endless sorrow, Lament the royal Agamemnon's fate, By a vile woman's wicked arts betrayed? Perish the hand (forgive the pious curse. Ye heavenly powers !) that gave the deadly blow I Electra My noble friends and partners in affliction, Who thus, to soothe my sorrows, kindly try Each art which love and friendship can inspire ; Ye come to comfort me, I know ye do. I know my tears are fruitless all and vain ; But, oh ! permit me to indulge my griefs, For I must weep. Chorus Thy tears can ne'er recall him From the dark mansions of the common grave — No, nor thy prayers ; they can but make thee wretched, And sink thee deeper in calamity. Why art thou then so fond of misery? Electra Devoid of sense and feeling is the heart That can forget an injured parent's wrongs. I love the airy messenger of Jove, The mournful bird that weeps her Ity's fate, And every night repeats the tender tale ; Thee, too, I reverence as a goddess — thee, Unhappy Niobe ! for still thou weepst, And from the marble tears eternal flow. Chorus But oh ! reflect, that not to thee alone Misfortune comes — that comes to all. ,• Behold Iphianassa, and Chrysotliemis, And him who hides his grief, illustrious youth,; The loved Orestes — these' have suffered too. " Electra Orestes ! Yes, Mycense shall receive In happy hour her great avenger ; Jove, With smiles auspicious, shall conduct him, to me j For him alone 1 wait — for him, a wretch ss ifo is gone ! Despised, of children and of nuptial rites Hopeless I wander. lie remembers not What I luvve done for him, what suffered ; stil With airy promises he mocks my hopes, And yet he comes not to me. Chorus But he will. Despair not, daughter ; Jo^ejsj^et^n heaven, ITahe god who sees, and knows, and governs all f \ Patient to him submit, nor let thy rage Too far transport thee, nor oblivion drown The just remembrance of thy matchless woes ; Time is a kind indulgent deity, And he shall givt* thee succour ; he shall send The god of Acheron, from Chrysa's shores. To bring Orestes and avenge thy wrongs. Elfx'. Oh ! but the while how much of And I a hapless wretched orphan still, Without a friend to guard or to protect me — Disgraced, dishonoured,' like a stranger clad In base attire, and fed with homeliest fare. Chorus Sad news indepd the hapless messenger To Argos brought, that\spoke the wished return Of thy loved father to his native soil ; Fatal the night when Agamemnon fell Or by a mortal or immortal hand ; The w^ork of fraud and lust, a horrid deed ! Whoe'er performed it. Eleo. O detested feast ! 0,jCfe;y, the bitt'rest sure; that ever rose ! With him I perished then. . But may the gods Repay the murderers ; never may they hear The voice of joy, or taste of comfort more ! Chorus Cease thy complaints; already hast thou suffered For thy loud discontents and threatened vengeance. 'Tis folly to contend with power superior. Electra Folly indeed, and madness ! But my griefs Will force their way, and whilst Electra breathes She must lament ; for who will bring me comfort, Or soothe my sorrows ? Let me — let me go, And weep for ever. ^ Chorus / 'Tis my love entreats j Trust me, 1 feel a mother's fondness for thee, And fain would save thee from redoubled woes. Electra And wouldst thou have me then neglect the dead? Forget my father ! Can there be such guilt? When I do so, may infamy pursue me ! And if I wed, may all the joys of love Be far removed ! If vengeance doth not fall On crimes like these, for ever farewell, justice — Shame, honour, truth, and piety, farewell ! Chorus Pardon me, daughter ; if my warmth oileud, Glad I submit. We'll follow, and obey thee. Electra I am myself to blame, and blush to think How much unfit I seem to liear the weight Imposed upon me ; but indeed 'tis great. Forgive me, friends, a woman born as I am, Must she not grieve to see each added minute Fraught with new mis'ries? Thus to be a slave E'en in my father's house, and from those hands Which shed his blood to ask the means of life ! Think what my soul must sufter to behold The cursed Aigisthus seated on the throne Of Agamemnon, in the very robes Which once were his — to see the tyrant pour Libations forth e'en on the fat;d spot Where the sad deed was done. But, worst of all. To see the murderer usurp his bed. Embrace my mother (by that honoured name If I may call a guilty wretch like her). Who, pleased, returns his love, and, of her crimes i I Unconscious, smiles, nor fears th' avenging Furies U I But ever as the bloody day returns ' 1 Which gave the royal victim to her wiles, j ^ Annual the dance and choral song proclaim A solemn feast, nor impious sacrifice Forgets she then to her protecting gods. Shocked at the cruel banquet I letire, And in some corner hide my griefs, denied E'en the sad comfort to indulge my sorrows, For Clytemnestra in opprobrious terms lleviles me oft ; *' To thee alone," she cries, " Is Agamemnon lost, detested maid ! Perdition on thee ! May th' infernal gods J^efuse thee succour, and protract thy pains ! " Thus rails she bitter, and if chance she hear Orestes is approaching, stung with rage Wild she exclaims, " Thou art th' accursed cause ; This is thy deed, who stole Orestes from mo. And hid him from my rage ; but be assured Ere long my vengeance shall o'ertake thee for it These threats her noble lord still urges on — That vile adulterei", that abandoned coward, Whose fearful soul called in a woman's aid To execute his bloody purposes. Her wished avenger ; his unkind delay Destroys my hopes. Alas ! my gentle friends, Who can bear this, and keep an equal mind? To suffer ills like mine, and not to err From wild distraction, would be strange indeed. Or may we speak our thoughts unblamed ? Electra Thou mayst ; I had not else beyond the palace dai-ed To wander hither. Chorus I would fain have asked thee Electra Ask what thou wilt, ^gisthus is far off. ""Chor. Touching thy brother then, inform me quick If aught thou knowst that merits firm belief. Electra He promises, but comes not. Chorus Things of moment Require deliberation and delay. Electra Oh ! but did I delay to save Orestes ? Chorus He boasts a noble nature, and will ne'er Forget his friends : be confident. Electra I am, Were I not so I had not lived till now. Chorus But soft^ behold the fair Chrysothemis Advance this way, and in her hand she bears Sepulchral offerings to the shades below. Chrysothemis Scene IV. Still, my Electra, pouring forth thy giiefs? Art thou not yet by sad experience taught How little they avail ? I too must feel And could resent, as, were thy sister's power But equal to her will, our foes should know. Meantime with lowered sail to bear the storm Befits us best, nor, helpless as we are, With idle hopes to meditate revenge ; Yield then with me, and though impartial justice Plead on thy side, remember, if we prize Or hfe or liberty, we must obey. Electra It ill becomes great Agamemnon's daughter Thus to forget her noble father's worth. And take a base unworthy mother's part ; For well I see from whom thy counsels flow ; Nought from thyself thou sayst but all from her X /^l^ther thy reason 's lost, or if thou hast it, » Tliou hast forgot thy friends who should be dear And precious to thee. Of thy boasted hate Again^i our foes, and what thou vauntst to do If thou i^adst power I reck not, whilst with me Thou wilt not join in great revenge, but still Dissuadsfc nie from it ; is 't not cowardly To leave me Mius? Tell me, I beg thee, tell me "What mighty gain awaits my tame submission, Should I suppress my griefs. I can but live ; That I do now — aN:jvretched life indeed ! But 'tis enough for\ie, and I am happy Whilst I can torture ^em, and to the dead Pay grateful honours — If^tp them such care Aught grateful can bestov^ij Thy hate, I fear me, Is but in word : thou dost ibefriend the murderers : For me, not all the wealth they could bestow, Not all the gifts which they have poured on thee. Should bind me to 'em. Take thy costly banquets, And let thy days with ease and pleasure flow ; Crive me but focxl, and I am satisfied. 1 wish not for thy houours, nor wouldst If thou wert wise, receive them at their hands. Thou mightst be daughter to the best of fathers, And art thy mother's only. Take that name, And henceforth all shall mark thee as a wretch Who hath betrayed her father and her friends. Choii. 1 do entreat you, let not anger come Between you thus ; you both have reasoned well, And much of mutual benefit may flow If each to other lend a patient ear. Chrysothemis Custom, niy noble friends, hath made re- proach Familiar to me, and, so well I know Her haughty mind, 1 had been silent still. But that I saw the danger ^immiuent, And came to warn her of the fatal stroke Which soon must end her and her griefs together. Electra Tell me this mighty danger ; if aught more T yield me to thy counsels. Chrysothemis Hear me then : Know, thou art doomed, unless thou dost refrain Tiiy clamorous griefs, far from the light of day And this thy native soil, within a cell Dismal and dark, to spend the poor remains Of thy sad life, and tliere lament thy fate. Electra Is it decreed ? Must it in truth be so ? Chrysothemis Soon as ^Egisthus shall return, it must. Electra Quick let him come : I long to see him here. Chrysothemis Alas ! what dreadful imprecations these ! Electra Would he were present, if foi' this he comes ! Chrysothemis What ! to destroy thee ! Is thy mind dis- turbed i Electra That I might fly for ever from thy sight. Chrysothemis Wilt thou not think how to preserve thy life ; Electra Mine is a blessed hfe indeed to think of. Chrysothemis It might be blest, if thou wouldst have it so. Electra Teach me not basely to betray my friends. Chrysothemis I do not ; all I ask thee is to yield To powers superior. Electra Fawn on them thyself ; Chrysothemis Sure it better Deserves the name of wisdom to avoid Than hasten thy destruction. Electra N'o, to die Were pleasure, could I but avenge my father. Chrysothemis Our father, doubt it not, will pardon thee. Electra 'Tis mean to think so. Chrysothemis Wilt thou not consent 1 Electra Never, oh never, be my soul so weak ! Chrysothemis Then to my errand : fare thee well. Electra To whom, Chrysothemis and whither dost thou bear Those sacred ofF'rings ? Chrysothemis To our father's tomb. From Clytemnestra. Electra To the man she hated ? The man, my sister Chrysothemis Thou would have said^,,,— Electra (^ Chry. Whom she killed, I know, Why, what shou'd move her to it? Chrysothemis If I mistake not, horrors late impressed jl From a sad vision. '^ Electra O my country's gods ! Succour me now ! Chrysothemis - What hopes dost thou conceive From this ? Electra The dream : and I will tell thee all. Chrysothemis I know but little of it. Elec Tell me that : Oftimes to words, how few soe'er they be. Is given the power to save or to destroy. Chrysothemis Once more to light returned (so fame reports) Before her our loved father did appear. The royal sceptre wielded in his hand Which now -^gisthus bears, whence seemed to spring A green and leafy branch, whose wide extent O'er all Mycenae spread its verdant shade : This did I learn, and this alone, from one Who listened long: attentive while she told ELFXTRA, Her vision to tlie sun ; hence all her fears, And hence my destined journey, i Electra -^ By the gods Let mo conjure thee, hear me. If thou dost not, Too late shall thou repent, when for thy guilt Evil o'ertako thee. O Chr}'sothemis ! Never, I heg theo, to our father's tomb Bear thou those offerings ; 'twere a horrid deed From such a woman. Give 'em to the winds ; And not the smallest grain escape to reach That hallawcfd place ; let 'em remain for her, Safe in the earth tiH she shall meet 'fittTthere^ None but this shameless, tins abandoned woman, Would e'er with impious oft'rings thus adorn The tomb of him she murdered./^ By the dead Thinkst thou such gifts can be with joy received ? Gifts from that hand which from his mangled corse Severed his lifeless limbs, and on the head Of the poor victim wiped her bloody sword ? I (Madness to think that offerings and ablutions Could purge such crimes, or wash her stains away; Never, oh never \J But of this no more. Instant, my sister, thy devoted hair With these dishevelled locks and this my zone, Plain as it is and unadorned, shalt thou Bear to our father. Wretched offerings these ! Bear them, and suppliant on thy knees implore him To smile propitious and assist his children ; Pray for Orestes, too, tlmt soon with power He may return, and trample on our foes ; So shall a fairer tribute one day grace His honoured tomb, than now we can bestow. Trust me, my sister, we are still his care — I know we are. S^rom him the vision came, The horrid dream that shook her guilty soul : Now then, I beg thee^be a friend to me, Be to thyself a friend^ a friend to him Of all mankind the dearest, our dead father. Chorus (Ijet them he hid, deep buried in the sands, Well doth the pious virgin speak, and thou Must yield to her requests. Chrysothemis And so I will. "Where reason dictates, strife should never come ; But quick, despatch ! fulfil her just commands. Yet, O my friends I remember, our attempt Is full of danger, and let nought escape That may betray me to my cruel mother ; For if it reach her ear, this daring act, I fear me much, shall one day cost us dear. Or my prophetic mind is now no more Attentive as of old to wisdom's lore, Or justice comes, with speedy vengeance fraught ; Behold ! the goddess armed with power appears- It must be so, by Clytemnestra's fears. And the dire dream that on her fancy wrought : Thy father, not unmindful of his fate. Shall hither come his wrongs to vindicate ; And, in his gore imbrued. The fatal axe with him shall rise, Shall ask another sacrifice, And drink with him the cruel tyrant's blood. Lo ! with unnumbered hands and countless feet, The fury comes her destined prey to meet ; Deep in the covert hid she glides unseen, Hangs o'er the trembUng murderer's head, Or steals to the adultrous bed, An awful witness of the guilty scene ; ELKCTRA. Doubtless the dream with all its terrors meant For crimes like these Bome dreadful punishment, I f mortals aught from nightly visions know, If truth from great Apollo's shrine Appears in oracles divine, 1 *resagiug bliss to come, or threat'ning future woe. J""' C) Pelops ; to thy countiy and to thco The fatal course brought woe and misery ; For since the time v/hen, from his chariot thi'own, For thee the guilty wreath to gain, The hapless Myrtihis was slain, Nought has thy wretched race but grief and sorrow known. Clytemnestra \Exit Ohrysothemis. Scene Y. Antistro'phe. Act II. Scene I. ^gisthus absent, who alone could curb Thy haughty spirit and licentious tongue. At large, it seems, thou rov'st, and unrestrained, No deference paid to my authority. But on thy mother ever pouring forth Bitter invectives, while the listening crowd Are taught to hold me proud and fierce of soul, A lawless tyrant slandering thee and thine I am no slanderer — I abhor the name ; But oft reviled, of force I must reply, And send thy foul reproaches back upon thee. I Thou sayst I slew thy father ; that alone RIs left to plead for all thy insolence. I I do confess the deed, and glory in it. , T slew thy father ; yet not I alone, I had the hand of justice to assist m( And should have had Electra's. Well thou knowst That cruel father, for whom thus thy tears Incessant flow, that father slew his child : He, he alone of all the Grecian host Gave up his daughter — horrid sacrifice — To the offended gods : he never felt A mother's pangs, and therefore thought not of them, Or, if he did, why slay the innocent? For Greece, thou tellst me ! Greece could never claim A right to what was mine. Or did she fall For Menelaus? He had children too : Why might not they have died ? Their parent's guilt, Source of the war, more justly had deserved it. Or thinkst thou death with keener appetite Could feast on mine, and Helen's not aflbrd As sweet a banquet? Whv was all the lo_ve, To me and to my child so justly dUe, With lavish hand bestowed on Menelaus? Was he not then a base inhuman father \ He was ; and so, could Iphigenia speak, Thy breathless sister, she too would declare. Know then, I grieve not ; shame or penitence I feel not for the deed ; and if to thee It seems so heinous, weigh each circumstance, Remember what he did, and lay the blame On him who well deserved the fate he suffered. Electra Thou hast no plea for bitterness like this ; Thou canst not say that I provoked thee to it. I have been silent : had I leave to speak I could defend an injured father's cause, And tell thee wherefore Iphigenia fell. Cly. I do permit thee ; and if modest thus Thou hadst addressed me always thy free speech Had ne'er offended. Electra Hast thou not confessed That thou didst slay my father ? Whether justice Approve or not, 'twas horrid to confess it : But justice never could persuade thee — no ! I'll tell thee who it was, it was ^gisthus. The wretch wdth whom thou liv'st. Go ask the goddess. The immortal huntress, why the winds were stayed So long at Aiilis. But thou must not ask The chaste Diana ! Take it, then, from me. My father once, as for the chase prepared, Cai'eless he wandered through her wecret grove, Forth from its covert roused a spotted hind Of fairest form, with towering antlers graced, Pursued and slew her. Of the deity Something with pride elate he uttered then Disdainful. Quick resenting the affront, Latona's daughter stayed the Grecian fleet, Nor would forgive, till for her slaughtered beast Th' offending father sacrificed his child. Thus Iphigenia fell ; and but for her Greece ne'er had seen or Ilion's lofty towers, Or her own native soil. The father strove In vain to save, and not for Menelaus He gave her up at last, but for his country. Suppose a brother's fondness had prevailed, And she was given for him, would that excuse Thy horrid deed? What laAv required it of thee ? That law alone by w^hich thyself must fall ; If blood for blood be due, thy doom is fixed. Plead not so poorly then, but tell me why Thou liv'st adultrous thus with a vile ruflian, Thy base assistant ? Why are those who sprung From thy first nuptials cast unkindly forth For his new race ? Was this thy piety ? Was this, too, to revenge thy daughter's death ? In pure revenge to wed her deadhest foe Was noble, was it not ? But I forget : You are my mother — so it seems you say — And I must hold my peace. But I deny it ; I say your are my mistress, not my mother — A cruel mistress that afliicts my soul, And makes this weary life a burthen to me. Orestes too, the hapless fugitive. Who once escaped thy fatal hand, now drags A loathsome being. Him, thou sayst, I looked for To join in my revenge, and so I did ; T would have been revenged, I tell thee so. Say, I am base, malicious, impudent, Abusive, what thou wilt ; for if I am It speaks my birth, and I resemble thee. Chob. Kesentment deep hath fired the virgin's breast ; Whether with truth and justice on her side She speak, I know not. Cly. Can they plead for her ? What care, what love, or tenderness is due To an abandoned child, who shameless thus Keviles a pai-ent ? I*-tttere, iifteF^isT^ A criTQft in nature shajgould blush to act ? Electra I am not base, nor shameless, as thou callst me, For know, even now I blush for what is past — Indecent warmth, and words that ill became My tender years and virgin modesty ; But 'twas thy guilt, thy malice urged me to it : From bad examples bad alone we learn — I only erred because I followed thee. Cly. Impudent wretch ! And am I then the cause Of all thy clamorous insolence? Electra Thou art : Foul is thy speech, because thy deed was foul ; For words from actions flow. Cly. By chaste Diana, Soon as j^gisthus comes thy boldness meets Its just reward. Electra Is this thy promised leave, So lately granted, freely to unfold What, now incensed, thou dost refuse to hear ? Cly. Have I not heard thee, and in base return With luckless omen dost thou now retard My pious sacrifice? Electra Oh ! far from me Be guilt like that ; perform it, I beseech thee. In holy silence shall these lips be closed, And not a word escape to thwart thy purpose. Cly. [speaking to one of her atteyidcints]. Hither do thou the sacred offerings bring, Of various fruits composed, that to the god Whose altars we adorn my fervent prayer May rise ac«.'ei>leil, ain.! <lispel iny fears. Hear theu, Apollo ! great protector, hear My secret vows, for with no friendly ear My voice is heard : her malice would hetray, Should I unveil my heart, each word 1 uttered, And sc«atter idle rumours through the crowd. Thus then accept my prayers, Lycean Phoebus I [uloiaL If in the doubtful visions of the night Which broke my slumbers, aught presaging good Thou seest, propitious, oh ! confirm it all ; But if of dire portent, and fraught with ill To me and mine they came, avert the omen, And send the evil back upon my foes ! Oh ! if there are whose fraudful arts conspire To cast me foi'th from all my present bliss, Let them not prosper, but protect me still ! Grant me to live and i-eign in quiet here, To spend each happy hour with those I love — With those my children who have ne'er offended By malice, pride, and bitterness of soul — Grant this, indulgent Phoebus ! What remains I^nasked thou seest ; for nought escapes the eye Of gods, such knowledge have the sons of Jove. Governor SOEN^E II. Is this the royal palace of ^gisthus ? Chorus Stranger, it is. Governor And this — for such her form And look majestic speak her — is his queen ; Is it not so? Chorus It is. Governor Great sovereign, hail ! With joyful news I come, and from a friend, To thee and to ^-Egisthus. C^LY. Strangei', welcome ! Say, first, from whom thy message 1 Governor From Phanoteus A Phocian sends thee things of utmost nioment. Cly. Of moment gayst thou 1 What ? Impart them quick ! Of friendly import, if from thence they come, I know they must be. Governor Briefly then, 'tis this : Orestes is no more. Now am I lost indeed. Cly. What sayst thou 1 Speak ! Regard not her — go on ! Governor I say again, Orestes is no more. Electra Then what am I? I too am nothing. Disturb us not — most welcome messenger ! Go on, I beg thee, let me hear it all ! Say how he died, tell every circumstance. Governor [to the Governor. For that I came, and I will tell thee all. Know then, Orestes at the Pythian games, Eager for glory, met assembled Greece. Soon as the herald's far-resounding voice Proclaimed the course, the p^racpfnt ynnth appeared^ And was by all admired. Successful soon He reached the goal, and bore his prize away. Ne'er did these eyes behold such feats performed By mortal strength ; in every course superior, He rose victorious. Theme of every tongue Was the brave Argive, great Atrides' son, Who led the Grecian host. But oh ! in vain Doth human valour strive when power divine Pursues vindictive ! The succeeding morn Uprose the sun, and with him all the train Of youthful rivals in the chariot race : One from Achaia, one from Sparta came, Of Afric's sons advanced a noble pair. And joined the throng. With these Orestes drove His swift Thessalian steeds ; ^tolia next, ELECTl For yellow coursers famed ; and next Magnesin ; And Athens, built by hands divine, sent forth Her skilful charioteer ; an .^nian next Drove his white liorses through the field ; and last A brave Bieotian closed the warrior train. And now in order ran/^ed, as each by lot Determined stood, forth at the trumpet's sound They rushed together, shook their gUttering reins, And lashed their foaming coursers o'er the plain. Loud was the din of rattling cars involved In dusty clouds ; close on each other pressed Tlie rival youths, together stopped, and turned Together all, the hapless ^nian first : His fiery steeds impatient of subjection, Entangled on the Lybian chariot hung. Confusion soon and terror through the crowd Disastrous spread ; the jarring axles rung ; Wheel within wheel now cracked, till Chrysa's field Was with the scattered ruins quite o'erspread. Th' Athenian cautious viewed the distant danger, Drew in the rein, and turned his car aside, Then passed them all. Orestes, who, secure Of conquest, lagged behind, with eager pace Now urged his rapid course, and swift pursued. Sharp was the contest : now th' Athenian first, And now Orestes o'er his coursers hung. Now side by tide they ran. When to the last And fatal goal, they came, Atrides' son, As chance with slackened rein he turned the car, Full on the pillar struck, tore from the wheel Its brittle spokes, and from his seat down dropped Precipitate. Entangled in the reins His fiery coursers dragged him o'er the field, Whilst shrieking crowds with pity viewed the youth. Whose gallant deeds deserved a better fate. Scarce could they stop the rapid car, or loose His mangled corse, so drenched in blood, so changed, That scarce a friend could say it was Orestes. Straight on the pile they burnt his sad remains, And, in an urn enclosed, a chosen few From Phocis sent have brought his ashes home, To reap due honours in his native land. Thus have I told thee all, a dreadful tale ! But, oh ! how far more dreadful to behold it. And be like me a witness of the scene ! Chorus Ah me ! the royal race, the ancient house Of my loved master is no more ! Cly. Great Jove ! Th' event was happy, but 'tis mixed with woe. //For, oh ! 'tis bitter to reflect that life V \ Governor [/ And safety must be purchased by misfortunes. ^ Why grieve you, madam ? Cly. 'Tis a bitter task To bring forth children ; though a mother 's wronged, A mother cannot hate the babe she bore. "TjI^ov. Then with ungrateful news in vain I came. Cly. Oh no ! Most welcome is the man who brings Such joyful tidings, that a thankless child Is gone, who left a tender mother's arms To live a voluntary exile from me \ Ne'er to these eyes returned, but absent raged. And threatened vengeance for his murdered father. Day had no rest for me, nor did the night Bring needful slumbers — thoughts of instant death Appalled me ever. But my fears are gone ! He cannot hurt me now, nor, worse than him, This vile domestic plague, who haunts me still To suck my vital blood \ but henceforth safe, Spite of her threats, shall Clytemnestra live. Electra Now, my Orestes, I indeed must mourn Thy cruel fate, embittered by reproach, And from a mother's tongue. This is not v/ell. Cly. With him it is, and would it were with thee ! Electra Attend, O Nemesis ! and hear the dead ! Cly. She heard that voice which best deserved her ear. And her decrees are just. Electra Go on, proud woman ; Insult us now, whilst fortune smiles upon thee Cly. Dost thou then hope that we shall fall hei-e- after? Electra No ; we are fallen ourselves, and cannot hurt thee. Cly. Thiice worthy is that messenger of joy Whose gladsome news shall stop thy clamorous tongue. Governor My task performed, permit me to retire. Cly. No, stranger, that were an aftront to thee, And to our friend who sent thee here. Go in, And leave that noisy wretch to bellow forth Her sorrows, and bewail her lost Orestes. [Exeunt. Electra Scene III. Miu-ked ye, my friends, did ye observe her tears ? Did she lament him ? Did the mother weep For her lost child ? Oh, no ; she smiled and left me. Thou hast undone me ; thou wert all my hope : I thought thou wouldst have lived to aid my vengeance For our loved father's death ; deprived of both Whither shall I betake me 'i Left at last A slave to those whom most on earth I hate, The cruel murderers — must it then be so ? Never, oh never ! Thus bereft of all. Here will I lay me down, and on this spot End my sad days. If it offend the t}Tants, Let 'em destroy me — 'twill be kindly done. Life is a pain ; I would not wish to keep it. Chorus Where is thy thunder, Jove ? or where thy power, O Phcebus ! if thou dost behold this' deed And not avenge it ? Chor Oh Alas Why mournst thou thus ? Oh ! do not gi'oan thus. How have I huit thee ? Thou destroyst me. Electra Why thus vainly try To give me comfort, when I know he's dead ? You but insult my woes. Chorus Yet weep not thus. Think on the golden bracelet that betrayed Amphiaraus, who now Electra Oh me ! Chorus In bliss Immortal reigns among the shades below. Electra Alas ! Chorus No more ; a woman was the cause, Th' accursed cause. Eleo. She suffered, did she not ? Chorus She did ; she perished. Electra Yes, I know it v/ell ; He found a kind avenger of his wrongs. But I have none, for he is ravished from me. Chorus Thou art indeed unhappy. Electra 'Tis too true. I am most wretched, it beats hard upon me ; My sorrows never cease. Chorus We see thy woes. Electra Therefore no more attempt to bring me comfort ; There is no hope. Chorus What sayst thou ? Electra There is none, None left for me — my noble brother slain ! Chorus Death is the lot of human race. Electra But, oh ! Not death like his — entangled in the reins, His mangled body dragged along the field. Chorus A strange unthought-of chance. Electra And then to fall A wretched stranger in a foreign land ! Chorus Oh horrible ! Electra No sister there to close His dying eyes, to grace him with a tomb, Or pay the last sad tributary tear. Chrysotitemis. Forgive me, sister, if my hasty steps Press nnexpeotofl on thee ; but I come With joyful tidings, to relieve thy toils, And make thee happy. Electra ACT III. Scene T. What canst thou have found To soften ills that will admit no cure? Chrysothemis Orestes is arrived ; as sure as here I stand before thee, the dear youth is come. Electra Canst thou then make a mockery of my woes ; Or dost thou rave ? CiiRY. No, by our father's gods, I do not mean to scoff; but he is come. Electra Alas ! who told thee so ? What tongue deceived Thy credulous ear ? Chrysothemis Know, from myself alone I learned the truth, and confirmations strong Oblige me to believe it. Electra What firm proof Canst thou produce? What hast thou seen or known To raise such flattering hopes ? Chrysothemis Oh ! by the gods, I beg thee but to hear me, then approve Or blame, impartial. Electra If to tell thy tale Can give thee pleasure, say it ; I attend. Chrysothemis Know, then, that soon as to our father's tomb Eager I came, my wondering eyes beheld Down from its side a milky fountain flow, As lately poured by some benignant hand ; With various flowers the sacred spot adorned Increased my doubts : on every side I looked And listened long impatient for the tread Of human footsteps there ; but all was peace. Fearless approaching then the hallowed spot, I saw it spread with fresh devoted hair ; Instant my soul recalled its dearest hope, Nor doubted whence the pious offerings came ; I snatched them up and silent gazed, while joy Sprang in my heart, and filled my eyes with tears — They were, they must be his ; ourselves alone Excepted, who could bring them? 'twas not I, And 'tis not given to thee to leave these walls E'en for the gods : our mother scarce would do So good an office ; or e'en grant she might. We must have known it soon. Be confident, Sister, rejoice ! Whe same destructive power Doth not for ever rule.^/ Behold at last A milder god, and happier days appear ! Electra Madness and folly ! How I pity thee ! Chrysothemis Have I not brought most joyful tidings to thee? Electra Alas ! Thou knowst not where nor what thou art? Chrysothemis ISTot know it? Not believe what I have seen? Electra I tell thee, wretched as thou art, he 's dead ; He and thy hoped-for bliss are gone together. Thou must not think of it. Chrysothemis A wretch indeed I am, if this be so ; but oh ! from whom. Where didst thou learn the fatal news? Electra From one Who was a witness of his death. Chrysothemis Where is he? Amazement chills my soul. Electra He is within ; And no unwelcome guest to Clytemnestra. Chrysothemis Alas ! who then could bring those pious gifts? Electra Some friend of lost Orestes placed them there. Chry I flew with joy to tell thee better news, And little thought to hear so sad a tale. The griefs I came to cure are present still, And a new weight of woes is come upon us. Electra But know, my sister, all may yet be well. If thou wilt hear me. Chuv. Can J raise the dead ? Elf.c. I am not mad that 1 should ask it of thee Chrysothemis What wouldst thou have me do ? Elf/'. I'd have thee act As 1 shall dictate to thee. Chrysothemis If aught good It may produce, I do consent. Electra Remember That if we hope to prosper, we must bear ; Success in all that's human must depend On patience and on toil. Chrysothemis I know it well, And stand resolved to bear my part in all. Electra Hear then the solemn purpoi-t of my soul. Tliou knowst too well how friendless and forlorn We both are left, by death bereaved of all Who could support us. Whilst Orestes lived, I cherished flattering thoughts of sweet revenge ; But he is gone, and thou ai-t now my hope. Yes, thou must join (for I will tell thee all) To kill the murderer. Why should we delay ? Is aught of comfort left ? Thou canst but weep Thy ravished foi-tunes torn unjustly from thee ; Thou canst but mourn thy loss of nuptial rites, And each domestic bliss. For, O my sister ! The tyrant cannot be so weak of soul As e'er to suffer our detested race To send new branches forth for his destruction. Assist me then. So shalt thou best deserve A father's praises and a brother's love ; So shalt thou still, as thou wert born, be free, And gain a partner worthy of thy bed. Dost thou not hear th' applauding voice of fame, And every tongue conspire to praise the deed ? Will they not mark us as we pass along, And cry aloud, *' Behold the noble pair ! The pious sisters who preserved their race, Whose daring souls, unawed by danger, sought The tyrant's life, regardless of their own. What love to these, what reverence is due ! These shall th' assembled nation throng to praise, And every feast with public honours crown. The fit reward of more than female virtue." Thus will they talk, my sister, whilst we live, And after death our names sliall be immortal. Aid then a brother's, aid a sister's cause. Think on thy father's wrongs, preserve Electra, Preserve thyself ; and, oh ! remember well That to the noble mind a life dishonoured Is infamy and shame. Chorus Be prudence now The guide of both. Chrysothemis Her mind was sure disturbed. My friends, or she would ne'er have talked so wildly. How couldst thou think so rash an enterprise Could e'er succeed, or how request my aid ? Hast thou considered what thou art? )A woman, | Weak and defenceless^ to thy foes unequal. Fortune thou seest each hour flows in upon them, Nor deigns to look on us. What hand shall deal The fatal blow and pass unpunished for it ? Take heed, my sistei", lest, thy counsel heard, A heavier fate than what we now lament Fall on us both. What will our boasted fame Avail us then? It is not death alone We have to fear — to die is not the worst Of human ills ; it is to wish for death And be refused the boon. Consider well, Ere we destroy ourselves and all our race. As they had ne'er been uttered, here they rest ; Learn to be wise at last, and when thou knowst I Resistance vain, submit to powers superior. Chorus Submit, convinced that prudence is the first Of human blessings. Electra 'Tis as I expected ; X knew full well thou wouldst reject my counsel. But I can act alone ; nor shall this arm Shrink at the blow, or leave its work unfinished. Chrysothemis Would thou hadst siiown this so uiuch Vimnted prowess When our loved father died ! Electra I was the same By nature then, but of a weaker mind. Chrysothemis Be sure thy courage fail thee not hereafter. Electra Thy aid will ne'er increase it. Chrysothemis 'Twill be wanted ; For those who act thus rashly must expect The fate they merit. Electra I admii-e thy prudence, But I detest thy cowardice. Chrysothemis I hear thee With patience ; for the time must one day come When thou shalt praise me. Electra Never. Chrysothemis Be that left For time to judge ; enough remains. Electra Away ! There's no dependence on thee. Chrysothemis But there is, Hadst thou a mind disposed for its acceptance. Electra Go, tell thy mother all. Chrysothemis I am not yet So much thy enemy. Electra And yet would lead me To infamy. Chry To safety and to wisdom. Electra Must I then judge as thy superior reason May dictate to me ? Chrysothemis When thy better mind Shall come, I'll not refuse to follow thee. Electra Pity who talks so well should act so poorly ! Chrysothemis That censure falls on thee. Electra What I have said Is truth. Chrysothemis Truth, sister, may be dangerous. Electra Bather than thus submit I will not live. Chrysothemis Hereafter thou wilt praise me. Electra shall act As seems most fit, nor wait for thy direction. Chrysothemis Art thou resolved then ? Wilt thou not repent And take my counsel ? Electra Counsel such as thine Is of all ills the worst. Thou dost not seem to understand it. Electra Know then, That long ere this I had determined all. Chrysothemis Then fare thee well ! Thou canst not bear my words, Nor I thy actions. Electra Go thy ways. Henceforth I will not commune with thee. Nor thy prayers — No, nor thy tears — should ever bend me to it ; Such idle commerce were the height of folly. Chrysothemis If thou dost think this wisdom, think so still ; But when destruction comes, thou wilt approve My better counsel, and be wise too late. \Exeunt.- Man's ungrateful wretched race Shall the birds of heaven disgrace. Whose ever-watchful, ever-pious young Protect the feeble parent whence they sprung ? But if the blast of angry Jove Hath power to strike, or justice reigns above, Not long unpunished shall such crimes remain ; When thou, O Fame ! the messenger of woe, Shalt bear these tidings to the realms below, Tidings to Grecia's chiefs of sorrow and of pain. Bid the sad Atridnc mourn Their house by cruel faction torn ; Tell em, no longer, by afl'ection joined, The tender sisters bear a friendly mind ; ]\laking her fruitless solitary moan, Lil^e Philomela, weeps her father's fate ; Fearless of death and every human ill, Eesohed her steady vengeance to fultil — Was ever cliild so good, or piety so great ! Still are the virtuous and the good By adverse fortune unsubdued. Nor e'er will stoop to infamy and shame ; The war to wage with virtue's foes, To gain the meed of never-ending fame, Far, far above thine enemies. In power and splendour mayst thou rise, And future bliss compensate present woe ! For thou hast shown thy pious love, By all that's dear to heaven above, Or sacred held by mortals here below. [^Exeunt. Orestes Scene II. Strophe i. Antistrophe. Strophe 2. Antistrojyhe 2. ACT IV. Scene J. Pi lades {with Attendant), Electra, Chorus. Orestes Say, virgins, if by right instruction led This way, I tend to Chorus Whither wouldst thou <?o ? Orestes The palace of ^gisthus. Chorus Sti'iinger, well Wert thou directed ; thou art there already. Orestes Who then amongst your train shall Idndly speak A friend's approach, who comes with joyful news Of highest import? Chorus {jpointing to Electra]. Be that office hers Whom bound by Nature's ties it best befits. Orestes Go then, and say from Phocis are arrived Who beg admittance to the king. Eleo. Alas ! And com'st thou then to prove the dreadful tale Already told ? Orestes What you have heard I know not, But of Orestes came I here to speak Electra By Strophius's command. What is it, say ; Oh, how I dread thy message ! Orestes [showing the l^rn]. Here behold His poor remains 'Tis then too plain, and misery is complete. Orestes If for Orestes thus thy sorrows flow, Know that within this urn his ashes lie. Electra Do they indeed ? Then let me, by the gods 1 do entreat thee, let me snatch them from thee ! Let me embrace them — let me weep my fate, And mourn our hapless race. Orestes Give her the urn, Whoe'er she be ; for not with hostile mind She craves the boon ; perhaps some friend, perhaps By blood united. Electra [taking the Urn]. O ye dear remains Of my Orestes, the most loved of men ! How do I see thee now ! How much unlike What my fond hopes presaged, when List we parted l I sent thee forth with all the bloom of youth Fresh on thy cheek, and now, O dismal change ! I bear thee in these hands an empty shade. Would I had died ere X had sent thee hence, Ere I had saved tliee from the tyrant's hand ! Would thou liadst died thyself that dreadful day, And joined thy murdered father in the tomb, Rather than thus a wretched exile fallen, Far from thy sister, in a foreign land I I was not there with pious hands to wash Thy breathless corpse, or from the greedy flame To gather up thy ashes. What have all My pleasing toils, my fruitless cares availed, E'en from thy infant years, that as a mother I watched thee still, and as a mother loved ? I would not trust thee to a servant's hand. But was myself the guardian of thy youth, Thy dear companion. All is gone with thee ! Alas ! thy death, like the devouring storm, Hath borne down all. Thy father is no more, And thou art gone, and I am going too. Our foes rejoice. Our mother, mad with joy, Smiles at our miseries — that unnatural mother, She whom thou oft hast promised to destroy. But cruel fate hath blasted all my hopes, And for my dear Orestes left me naught But this poor shadow. Oh ! th' accursed place Where I had sent thee ! Oh ! my hapless brother, Oh ! take me to thee ! Let this urn enclose My ashes too, and dust to dust be joined, That we may dwell together once again : In life united by one hapless fate, I would not wish in death to be divided. The dead are free from sorrows. Do not indulge thy griefs ; but, oh ! remember, Sprung from a mortal like thyself, Orestes Was mortal too — that we are mortal all. Orestes [aside]. What shall I say? TI can refrain no longer. Electra Why this emotion? Orestes \looMng at Electra]. Can it be Electra, That lovely form ? Electra It is indeed that wretch. Orestes Oh, dreadful ! Electra Stranger, dost thou weep for me? Orestes By impious hands to perish thus ! Electra For me Doubtless thou weepst, for I am changed indeed. Orestes Of nuptial rites, and each domestic joy To live deprived ! Electra Why dost thou gaze upon me? Orestes Alas ! I did not know I was so wretched. Electra Why, what hath made thee so ? Orestes I see thy woes. Electra Not half of them. Orestes Can there be worse than these ? Electra To live with murderers ! Orestes What murderers, whom? Electra The murderers of my father ; bound to serve them. Orestes Who binds thee ? Electra One who calls herself a mother; A name she little merits. Orestes But say, how ] Doth she withhold the means of life, or act With brutal violence to thee? Electra Both, alas ! Are my hard lot ; she tries a thousand means To make me wretched. Orestes And will none assist, Will none defend thee ? Electra None. My only hope Lies buried there. Orestes Oh ! how I pity thee ! Electra 'Tis kindly done ; for none will pity me — None but thyself. Art thou indeed a stranger, Or doth some nearer tie unite our sorrows? Orestes I could unfold a tale. But — say, these virgins. May I depend on them? Electra They are our friends, And faithful all. Orestes Then lay the urn aside, And I^vvill tell thee. sr, Elec'. Do not take it from me Do not, dear stranger. Orestes But I must indeed. Electra Do not, T beg thee. Orestes Come, you'll not repent it. Electra O my poor brother ! If thy dear remains Are wrest-ed from me, I am most unhappy. Orestes No more ; fh<m innst not griove for him. Eleo. Not grieve For my Orestes ? Orestes No ; you should not weep. Electra Am I unwortliy of him then 1 Orestes Oh, no ! But do not grieve. Electra Not when I bear the ashes Of my dear brother 1 Orestes But they are not tliere "Unless by fiction and a well-wrought tale, That hath deceived thee. Electra Where then is his tomb? Orestes The li\dng need none. Electra Ha ! what sayst thou 1 Orestes ' Truth. Electra Does he then live 1 Orestes If I have life, he lives. Electra And art thou he 1 Orestes Look here, and be convinced ; 'i his mark, 'tis from our father. Electra O blest hour ! Orestes Blessed indeed ! Electra Art thou then here 1 Orestes I am. Electra Do I embrace thee ? Orestes Mayst thou do it long ! Electra O my companions ! O my dearest friends ! Do ye not see Orestes, once by art And cruel fiction torn from life and me, But now by better art to life restored 1 Chorus Daughter, we do ; and see 'midst all our woes From every eye fa,st flow the tears of jo.y. Electra Oh ! ye are come, my friends, in happiest hour, E'en to behold, to find again the man Whom your souls wished for, ye are come. Chorus We are ; Electra Wherefore in silence ? Chorus Lest our foes within Should hear thee. Electra Never, by the virgin power Of chaste Diana, will I hide my joys, Nor meanly stoop to fear an idle throng Of helpless women. Orestes Women have their power, And that thou knowest. Electra Alas ! and so I do ; For oh ! thou hast called back the sad remembrance Of that misfortune which admits no cure, And ne'er can be forgot. Orestes A fitter time May come when we must think of that. Electra All times. All hours are fit to talk of justice in, And best the present, now when I am free. Orestes Thou art so, be so still. Electra What's to be done? Orestes Talk not, when prudence should restrain tliy tongue. Electra Who shall restrain it? Who shall bind Electra To fearful silence, when Orestes comes? When thus I see thee here, beyond my thoughts, Beyond my hopes ! Orestes The gods have sent me to thee ; Xliey bade me come. Electra Indeed ! More grateful still Is thy return. If by the gods' command Thou cam'st, the gods will sure protect thee here. Orestes I would not damp thy joys, and yet I fear- Lest they should carry thee too far. Electra Oh, no ! But after so long absence^ thus returned To thy afflicted sister, sure thou wouldst not Orestes Do what? Electra Thou wouldst not grudge me the dear pleasure Of looking on thee. Orestes No ; nor suffer any To rob thee of it. Electra Shall I then ! Orestes No doubt. Electra I hear that voice, my friends, I never thought To hear again. Ye know, when I received The dreadful news, I kept my grief witliin, Silent and sad ; but now I have thee here. Now I behold thee, now I fix my eyes On that dear form, which never was forgotten. Orestes Spend not thy time in fruitless words, nor tell me How Clytemnestra lives, nor how ^gisthus Hath lavished all our wealth. The present hour Demands our strict attention. Tell me how, Whether by fraud, or open force, our foes May best be vanquished. Let no cheerful smile Betray thee to thy mother. Seem to grieve As thou wert wont. When we have done the deed, J oy shall appear, and we will smile in safety. Electra Thy will is mine. Not to myself I owe My present bliss ; I have it all from thee — From thee, my brother ; nor should aught persuade me To give Orestes e'en a moment's pain. That were ungrateful to th' indulgent power Who thus hath smiled propitious. Know, -^gisthus Has left the palace ; Clytemnestra's there ; And for thy needless fears that I should smile, Or wear a cheerful face, I never shall — Hatred so strong is rooted in my soul, The sight of them will make me sad enough. The tears of joy perhaps may flow for thee, And add to the deceit ; for flow they must, When I behold thee in one happy hour Thus snatched from life, and thus to life restored. I could not hope it. Oh I 'tis passing strange ! If from the tomb our father should arise And R.'iv he lived, I think I should believe liini : And oh ! when thou art come so far, 'tis fit I yield to thee in all. Do thou direct My every step ; but know, had I been left Alone, e'en I would not have failed in all, But conquered bravely, or as bravely fell. Orestes No more. I hear the footsteps as of one Coming this way. Electra Strangers, go in, and bear That which with joy they cannot but receive. But which with joy they will not long possess. Governor of Orestes, Electra, Orestes, Chorus. Governor Scene II. Madness and folly thus to linger here ! Have ye no thought ? Is life not worth your care ? Do ye not know the dangers that surround you ? Had I not watched myself before the palace. Ere ye had entered, all your secret plan Had been discovered to our foes within. Wherefore no more of this tumultuous joy. And lengthened converse ; 'tis not fitting now. Go in ; away, delays are dangerous At such an hour ; cur fate depends upon it. Orestes May I with safety ? Is all well within ? Governor None can suspect you. Orestes Spake you of my death As we determined ? Governor Living as thou art, They do account thee one among the dead. Orestes And are they glad ? What say they ? Governor By-and-by We'll talk of that ; let it suffice that all Is right within ; and that which most they think so, May prove most fatal to them. Electra [pointing to the Governor]. Who is this ? Orestes Do you not know ? Electra I cannot recollect him. Orestes Not know the man to whom you trusted me ! Under whose care ijO ELF.CTRA. Eleo. Wlion ? ho^v ? Orestes To Phocis sent, I 'scaped the tymnt. Electra Can it then be he, Among the faithless only faithful found When our dear father fell ? Orestes It is the same. Electra \io the Governor]. Deax'est of men, great guardian of our race, Art thou then here 1 Thou, who hast saved us both From countless woes ! Swift were thy feet to bring Glad tidings to me, and thy hand stretched forth Its welcome succour. But, oh ! why deceive me 1 Why wouldst thou kill me with thy dreadful tiilo, E'en when thou hadst such happiness in store? Hail ! father, hail ! — for I must caU thee so — Know, thou hast been to me, in one short day, Both the most hated and most loved of men. Governor ISTo more of that We shall have time enough To talk of it hereafter. Let us go. This is the hour ; the queen is now alone. And not a man within. If ye delay, Expect to meet more formidable foes, In wisdom and in numbers far superior. Orestes We will not talk, my Pylades, but act. Let us go in. But to the gods who guard This place be first due adoration paid. Electra Hear, then, Apollo, great Lycnean, hear Who with unsparing hand her choicest gifts Hath never failed to lay before thy altars ! Accept the little all which now remains For me to give, accept my humblest prayers, My vows, my adorations ; smile propitious On all our counsels ! Oh ! assist us now, And show mankind what punishment remains For guilty mortals from ofiended Heaven. [Exeunt. JJehokl, lie comes ! the slaugliter-beariiig god Mars, ever thirsting for the murderer's blood ; And see ! the dogs of war are close behind ; Naught can escape their all-devouring rage. This did my conscious heart long since pi'esage, And the fair dream that struck my raptured mind. Th' avenger steals along with silent feet, And sharpened sword, to his paternal seat, His injured father's wrongs to vindicate ; Concealed from all by Maia's fraudful son, Who safe conducts him till the deed be done, Nor longer will delay the needful work of fate. Plectra. O my dear friends I they are about it now. The deed is doing. But be still. Chorus StroiJhe. Antistrojjhe. [Exeunt ACT V. Scene I. What deed ? How? where ? Electra She doth prepare the funeral banquet ; But they are not far from her. Chorus Why then leave them 1 Electra To watch JEgisthus, lest he steal upon iis And blast our purpose. Cly. \heMnd tlie scenes]. Oh ! I am betrayed ! My palace full of murderei's ; not a friend Left to protect me. Electra Some one aies within ; Did you not hear ? Chorus It is too horrible 5'\)r mortal ear ; I tremble at the sound. Cly. [wi</iw]. ^gisthus, oh! where art thou ? Electra Hark! again The voice, and louder. Cly. \\oithiix\. O my child ! my child ! Pity thy mother, pity her who bore thee ! Electra Be thine the pity which thou showedst to him, And to his father. Chorus O unhappy kingdom ! O wretched race ! thy misery is full ; This day will finish all. Cxy. [within]. Oh! I am wounded! Electra Another stroke — another, if thou canst ! Cly. Ah me ! again ! Electra Oh ! that ^gisthus too Groaned with thee now ! Chorus Then vengeance is complete. The dead arise and shed their murderers' blood In copious streams. Orestes Scene II. Pylades, Governor of Orestes, Electra, Electra Behold them here ! their hands Dropping with gore, a pious sacrifice To the gi^eat god of war. How is 't, Orestes ? Orestes 'Tis very well. All 's well, if there be truth In great ApoUo's oracles. She 's dead. Thou needst not fear a cruel mother now. Chorus I^o more ! -ZEgisthus comes. Electra Instant go in ; Do you not see him? Joyful he returns. Chorus Ketire. Thus far is right — ^go on, and prosper. Orestes Fear not ! We'll do it. Chorus But immediately. Orestes I'm gone. Electra \FjXPAmt Orestes, Pylades, and Governor. For what remains here to be done. Be it my care. I'll whisper in his ear A few soft flattering words, that he may rush Unknowing down precipitate on ruin. Mgi^. Which of you knows aught of these Phocian guests, Who come to tell us of Orestes' death ? And fierce of soul ; it doth concern you most ; And therefore you, I think, can best inform me. Electra Scene III. Yes, I can tell thee. Is it possible I should not know it ? That were not to know A circumstance of dearest import to me. ^Gis. Where are they then? Electra Within. Aegisthus ^Gis. And spake they truth ? Electra They did ; a truth not proved by words alone, But faots undoubted. Aegisthus ^Gis. Shall we see him then ? Electra Aye, and a dreadful sight it is to see. ^Gis. Thou art not wont to give me so much joy ; Aegisthus Now I am glad indeed. Electra Glad mayst thou be, If aught there is in that can give thee joy. Ateis. Silence within! and let my palace gates Be opened all — that Argos and Mycenae May send her millions forth to view the sight ; Aegisthus And if there are who nourish idle hopes That still Orestes lives, behold him here, And learn submission, nor inflame the crowd Against their lawful sovereign, lest they feel An angry monarch's heaviest vengeance on them. Electra Already I have learned the task, and yield To power superior. Opens and discovers tlie Body of Clytemxest BA extended on a biei'f and covered 'with a veil. Orestes Scene IV. Pylades, Governor of Orestes, Mgistr-jb, Electra Chorus, and a Croivd of Spectators frani the city. Miiia. What a sight is here ' O deity supreme ! this could not be Aegisthus But by thy will ; and whether Nemesis Shall still o'ertake me for my crime, I know not. Take otF the veil, that I may view him well ; He was by blood allied, and therefore claims Our decent sorrows. Orestes Take it off thyself ! 'Tis not my office ; thee it best behts Aegisthus To see and to lament. JEgis. And so it does ; And I will do it. Send Clytemnestra hither. Orestes [Taking of the ve^a She is before thee. Aegisthus ^Gis. Ha ! what do I see 1 Orestes Why, what 's the matter ? What affrights th@C so? Aegisthus Do you not see him ? ^Gis. In what dreadful snare Am I then fallen ] Orestes Dost thou not now behold That thou art talking with the dead ? Aegisthus u:Egis. Alas I Too well I see it, and thou art — Orestes. Orestes So great a prophet thou, and guess so iil ! Aegisthus ^Gis. I know that I am lost, undone for evor; But let me speak to thee. Electra Do not, Orestes ; No, not a woi'd. What can a moment's spaoo Profit a wretch like him, to death devoted'^ Qijck }et him die, and cast his carcase forth To dogs and vultures ; tliey will best perform Fit obsequies for him. By this alone We can be free and htappy. Orestes Get thee in ! This is no time for talk — thy life, thy life ! Aegisthus ^'Egis. But why go in ? If what thou meanst to do Be just, what need of darkness to conceal it ? Why not destroy me here ? Orestes It is not thine Now to command. Hence to the fatal place Where our dear father fell, and perish there. Aegisthus ^Gis. This palace then is doomed to be the witness Of all the present, all the future woes Of Pelops' hapless race. Orestes Of thine, at least It shall be witness ; that 's my prophecy. Aegisthus And a most true one. ^Gis. 'Tig not from thy father. Orestes Thou talkst, and time is lost. Away ! Aegisthus ^Gis. I follow. Orestes Thou shalt go first. Aegisthus ^Gis. Thinkst thou I mean to fly ? Orestes No ; but I'd make thy end most bitter to thee In every circumstance, nor let thee choose The softest means. Were all like thee to perish Who violate the laws, ’twould lessen much The guilt of mortals, aiKl reform mankind. \ExPAint. Chorus O race or Atreus ! after all thy woes, How art thou thus by one adventurous deed To freedom and to happiness restored 1 OF THE UNIVERSITY OF DRAMATIS PERSONS. Ulysses King of Ithaca. Neoptolemus Son of AcJiilles. Companion of Hercules. A Spy. Chorus composed of the Com- panions of Ulysses and Neopto- lemus, Ulysses SCENE. — Lemnos, near a Grotto in a rocJc by the Seaside, ACT I. Scene I. Neoptolemus, Attendant.