Page:Tragedies of Seneca (1907) Miller.djvu/321

303 Through whom thou plann'st another to deceive? Atreus: That so they may themselves be free from guilt. For what the need of implicating them In crimes of mine? Nay, through my acts alone My hate shall work its ends. But hold, my soul, Thou doest ill, thou shrinkest from the task. If thou dost spare thine own, thou sparest his As well. So then let Agamemnon be The conscious minister of my designs, And wittingly let Menelaüs help His father's plans. And by this test of crime, Let their uncertain birth be put to proof: If they refuse to wage this deadly war, And will not serve my hatred; if they plead He is their uncle—then is he their sire. So let them go. But no! a look of fear Has oft revealed the heart. And weighty plans, E'en 'gainst the stoutest will, betray themselves. They shall not know of how great consequence Their mission is. [To Attendant.] And do thou hide it too. Attendant: No warning do I need, for in my breast lt shall be hid by fear and loyalty. But more shall loyalty prevail with me.

Chorus: At last our royal family, The race of ancient Inachus, Hath quelled the brothers' deadly strife What fatal madness drives you on To shed by turns each other's blood, And gain the throne through paths of crime? O ye who lust for regal state, Ye know not where true power is found; For riches cannot make a king, Nor Tyrian garments richly dyed, Nor royal crowns upon the brow, Nor portals glittering with gold. But he is king who knows no fear,