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PDFI then, were all the gifts in which you glory
Laid at my feet, will never more obey
This tyrant power. I leave you your rich board
And life of luxury. Ne’er be it mine[2] to feed
On dainties that would poison my heart’s peace!
I care not for such honour as thou hast.
Nor wouldst thou care if thou wert wise. But now,
Having the noblest of all men for sire,
Be called thy mother’s offspring; so shall most
Discern thine infamy and traitorous mind
To thy dead father and thy dearest kin.
CH. No anger, we entreat. Both have said
well,
If each would learn of other, and so do.
CHR. For my part, women, use hath seasoned me
To her discourse. Nor had I spoken of this,
Had I not heard a horror coming on
That will restrain her from her endless moan.
EL. Come speak it forth, this terror! I
will yield,
If thou canst tell me worse than I endure.
CHR. I’ll tell thee all I know. If
thou persist
In these thy wailings, they will send thee far
From thine own land, and close thee from the day,
Where in a rock-hewn chamber thou may’st chant
Thine evil orisons in darkness drear.
Think of it, while there ’s leisure to reflect;
Or if thou suffer, henceforth blame me not.
EL. And have they so determined on my life?
CHR. ’Tis certain; when Aegisthus comes again.
EL. If that be all, let him return with speed!
CHR. Unhappy! why this curse upon thyself?
EL. If this be their intent, why, let him come!
CHR. To work such harm on thee! What thought is this!
EL. Far from mine eye to banish all your brood.
CHR. Art not more tender of the life thou hast?
EL. Fair, to a marvel, is my life, I trow!
CHR. It would be, couldst thou be advised for good.
EL. Never advise me to forsake my kin.
CHR. I do not: only to give place to power.
EL. Thine be such flattery. ’Tis not my way.
CHR. Sure, to be wrecked by rashness is not well.
EL. Let me be wrecked in ’venging my own sire.
CHR. I trust his pardon for my helplessness.
EL. Such talk hath commendation from the vile.
CHR. Wilt thou not listen? Wilt thou ne’er be ruled?
EL. No; not by thee! Let me not sink so low.
CHR. Then I will hie me on mine errand straight.
EL. Stay; whither art bound? For whom to spend those gifts?
CHR. Sent by my mother to my father’s tomb
To pour libations to him.
EL. How? To him?
Most hostile to her of all souls that are?
CHR. Who perished by her hand—so thou wouldst say.
EL. What friend hath moved her? Who hath cared for this?
CHR. Methinks ’twas some dread vision, seen by night.
