axe lifted to strike.  And then she spake of herself, that the doom was upon her, and that the King had brought her to die with him, and that she should fall even as the city of her father had fallen.  But after awhile her fury abated, and she began to speak plainly.  And first she told the elders how it came to pass that she had this gift of prophecy, that she could see what had been, as indeed she had spoken of ancient wickedness that had been done in the house, and also could tell beforehand what should come hereafter.  For that Apollo had loved her, and had given her this art; but, because she had deceived him, he had added thereto this curse, that no one should believe her even speaking truth.  And then she told them that the old crimes of the house should end in yet another crime; that there was one in the house, a woman to look at, but in truth a very Scylla, a monster of the sea.  And at the last she declared plainly that they should see the King Agamemnon lying dead.  But the curse was upon her, and they believed her not And then crying out that she saw a lioness that had taken a wolf to be her paramour, she cast away the tokens of prophecy that she carried, the staff from her hand, and the necklace from about her neck.  And when she had done this she went to the palace gates, knowing that she went to her death.  But first she said that there should come an avenger who should execute vengeance for his father that had been slain and also for her.  And when she was arrived at the door of the palace, at the first she started back, for the smell of blood smote her in the face; but then she took heart again and passed on.  Only first she turned and said, “O Sun, whose light I see now for the last time, grant that the hand that taketh vengeance for the King may take it also for the slave-woman whom they slay—­a conquest, in good sooth, right easy to be made.”

But while the old men doubted what these things might mean, saying that no man could trust in prosperous fortune, if the King, who had won such a victory over the city of Troy, should himself perish, there came a dreadful voice from within, crying out, “Woe is me!  I am smitten with a mortal blow!” And while they doubted, it came again, crying, “Woe again!  I am smitten with a second blow!” Then they debated what were best to do; and one would have them call to the citizens for help, and another that they should rush into the palace; and some doubted whether aught might now avail.  And lo! the great doors of the palace were thrown back and there appeared a dreadful sight—­two dead bodies, covered each with a veil, and the Queen, with an axe in her hand, standing beside them, who said—­

“I spake before words fitting the time, and now I am not ashamed to speak that which is contrary to them.  For this is in truth an old purpose that I have executed.  Yea, from the day that he shed the innocent blood, even the blood of Iphigenia, my daughter, it hath been in my heart to slay him.  I threw a net about him, whence there was no escape, entangling his limbs in a royal robe.  Twice I smote him; twice he groaned, stretching out his limbs in death; aye, and a third blow I added—­my offering of thanks to the Ruler of the dead.  Right glad was I when the blood spirted on me; glad as the seed when the increase-giving rain cometh down from the sky.”