Chapter 5

AEGISTHUS--CLYTEMNESTRA

_Aegis._--Hast thou performed the deed?

_Cly_.--Aegisthus ...

_Aegis._--What do I behold? O woman, What dost thou here, dissolved in useless tears? Tears are unprofitable, late, and vain; And they may cost us dear.

_Cly._--Thou here? ... but how? ... Wretch that I am! what have I promised thee? What impious counsel? ...

_Aegis_.--Was not thine the counsel? Love gave it thee, and fear recants it.--Now, Since thou'rt repentant, I am satisfied; Soothed by reflecting that thou art not guilty, I shall at least expire. To thee I said How difficult the enterprise would be; But thou, depending more than it became thee On that which is not in thee, virile courage, Daredst thyself thy own unwarlike hand For such a blow select. May Heaven permit That the mere project of a deed like this May not be fatal to thee! I by stealth, Protected by the darkness, hither came, And unobserved, I hope. I was constrained To bring the news myself, that now my life Is irrecoverably forfeited To the king's vengeance...

_Cly._--What is this I hear? Whence didst thou learn it?

_Aegis._--More than he would wish Atrides hath discovered of our love; And I already from him have received A strict command not to depart from Argos. And further, I am summoned to his presence Soon as to-morrow dawns: thou seest well That such a conference to me is death. But fear not; for I will all means employ To bear myself the undivided blame.

_Cly_.--What do I hear? Atrides knows it all?

_Aegis_.--He knows too much: I have but one choice left: It will be best for me to 'scape by death, By self-inflicted death, this dangerous inquest. I save my honor thus; and free myself From an opprobrious end. I hither came To give thee my last warning: and to take My last farewell... Oh, live; and may thy fame Live with thee, unimpeached! All thoughts of pity For me now lay aside; if I'm allowed By my own hand, for thy sake, to expire, I am supremely blest.

_Cly_.--Alas!... Aegisthus... What a tumultuous passion rages now Within my bosom, when I hear thee speak!... And is it true?... Thy death...

_Aegis._--Is more than certain....

_Cly_.--And I'm thy murderer!...

_Aegis_.--I seek thy safety.

_Cly_.--What wicked fury from Avernus' shore, Aegisthus, guides thy steps? Oh, I had died Of grief, if I had never seen thee more; But guiltless I had died: spite of myself, Now, by thy presence, I already am Again impelled to this tremendous crime... An anguish, an unutterable anguish, Invades my bones, invades my every fibre... And can it be that this alone can save thee?... But who revealed our love?

_Aegis._--To speak of thee, Who but Electra to her father dare? Who to the monarch breathe thy name but she? Thy impious daughter in thy bosom thrusts The fatal sword; and ere she takes thy life, Would rob thee of thy honor.

_Cly_.--And ought I This to believe?... Alas!...

_Aegis_.--Believe it, then, On the authority of this my sword, If thou believ'st it not on mine. At least I'll die in time...

_Cly_.--O Heavens! what wouldst thou do? Sheathe, I command thee, sheathe that fatal sword.--Oh, night of horrors!... hear me... Perhaps Atrides Has not resolved...

_Aegis._--What boots this hesitation?... Atrides injured, and Atrides king, Meditates nothing in his haughty mind But blood and vengeance. Certain is my death, Thine is uncertain: but reflect, O queen, To what thou'rt destined, if he spare thy life. And were I seen to enter here alone, And at so late an hour... Alas, what fears Harrow my bosom when I think of thee! Soon will the dawn of day deliver thee From racking doubt; that dawn I ne'er shall see: I am resolved to die:...--Farewell... forever!

_Cly_.--Stay, stay... Thou shalt not die.

_Aegis_.--By no man's hand Assuredly, except my own:--or thine, If so thou wilt. Ah, perpetrate the deed; Kill me; and drag me, palpitating yet, Before thy judge austere: my blood will be A proud acquittance for thee.

_Cly._--Madd'ning thought!... Wretch that I am!... Shall I be thy assassin?...

_Aegis._--Shame on thy hand, that cannot either kill Who most adores thee, or who most detests thee! Mine then must serve....

_Cly._--Ah!... no....

_Aegis._--Dost thou desire Me, or Atrides, dead?

_Cly._--Ah! what a choice!...

_Aegis._--Thou art compelled to choose.

_Cly._--I death inflict ...

_Aegis._--Or death receive; when thou hast witnessed mine.

_Cly._--Ah, then the crime is too inevitable!

_Aegis._--The time now presses.

_Cly._--But ... the courage ... strength? ...

_Aegis._--Strength, courage, all, will love impart to thee.

_Cly._--Must I then with this trembling hand of mine Plunge ... in my husband's heart ... the sword? ...

_Aegis_.--The blows Thou wilt redouble with a steady hand In the hard heart of him who slew thy daughter.

_Cly._--Far from my hand I hurled the sword in anguish.

_Aegis_.--Behold a steel, and of another temper: The clotted blood-drops of Thyestes's sons Still stiffen on its frame: do not delay To furbish it once more in the vile blood Of Atreus; go, be quick: there now remain But a few moments; go. If awkwardly The blow thou aimest, or if thou shouldst be Again repentant, lady, ere 'tis struck, Do not thou any more tow'rd these apartments Thy footsteps turn: by my own hands destroyed, Here wouldst thou find me in a sea of blood Immersed. Now go, and tremble not; be bold. Enter and save us by his death.--