Page:Tragedies of Seneca (1907) Miller.djvu/318

300 Such deeds as theirs must by my hands be done. [To Attendant.] Tell thou me then how vengeance may be won. Attendant: Drive out his hostile spirit with the sword. Atreus: Thou speakest of the end of punishment. But I the punishment itself desire. Let easy-going rulers slay their foes; In my domain death is a longed-for boon. Attendant: Do pious motives stir thee not at all? Atreus: Away, O Piety, if ever thou Didst dwell within my house, and in thy stead Let come dire furies' cohorts, fiends at war, Megaera holding high in either hand Her flaming torch; for with a mighty rage 'Tis not enough my heart should be inflamed: I fain would be by greater horrors filled Attendant: What new design does thy mad soul conceive? Atreus: No deed within the accustomed bounds of grief. I'll leave no crime undone; and yet no crime Is bad enough for me. Attendant: Wilt use the sword? Atreus: 'Tis not enough. Attendant: The flames? Atreus: Still not enough. Attendant: What weapon then will thy mad passion use? Atreus: Thyestes' self. Attendant: Far worse than madness this. Atreus: I do confess it. Deep within my heart, A fearful tumult rages unrestrained, And I am hurried on, I know not where; I only know that I am hurried on. From lowest depths a moaning sound is heard, And thunders rumble in the cloudless skies; A crashing noise resounds throughout the house As though 'twere rent in twain; upon my hearth The frightened Lares turn their gaze from me. Yet this shall be, this awful thing shall be, Ye gods, which ye do fear to think upon. Attendant: What then is this which thou dost meditate?