Page:Sophocles - Seven Plays, 1900.djvu/206

172

He may accept my manage, and not wait

For our stern chastisement to teach him sense.

. My lesson is already learnt: at length

I am schooled to labour with the stronger will.

[The body of is disclosed

under a veil: standing by

. Zeus! Divine envy surely hath laid low

The form I here behold. But if the truth

Provoke Heaven’s wrath, be it unexpressed.—Unveil!

Off with all hindrance, that mine eye may see,

And I may mourn my kinsman as I should.

. Thyself put forth thy hand. Not mine but thine

To look and speak with kindness to this corse.

. I will, for thou advisest well; but thou,

Call Clytemnestra, if she be within.

[ lifts the shroud

. She is beside thee, gaze not otherwhere.

. What do I see! oh!

. Why so strange? Whom fear you?

. Who are the men into whose midmost toils

All hapless I am fallen?

. Ha! knowest thou not

Thou hast been taking living men for dead?

. I understand that saying. Woe is me!

I know, Orestes’ voice addresseth me.

. A prophet! How wert thou so long deceived?

. Undone, undone! Yet let me speak one word.

. Brother, by Heaven, no more! Let him not speak.

When death is certain, what do men in woe

Gain from a little time? Kill him at once!

And, killed, expose him to such burial

From dogs and vultures, as beseemeth such,

Far from our view. Nought less will solace me

For the remembrance of a life of pain.

. Go in and tarry not. No contest this

Of verbal question, but of life or death.

. Why drive you me within? If this you do

Be noble, why must darkness hide the deed?

Why not destroy me out of hand?