Page:Tragedies of Seneca (1907) Miller.djvu/431

Rh To play a woman's part. Electra: A woman's part! Yea, truly, 'tis to wield the battle-ax. Clytemnestra: Thou fool, dost think thyself a match for us? Electra: "For us?" Hast thou another husband then? Speak thou as widow, for thy lord is dead. Clytemnestra: As queen I soon shall curb thy saucy tongue, And break thy pride. But meanwhile quickly tell, Where is my son, where is thy brother hid? Electra: Far from Mycenae fled. Clytemnestra: Then bring him back. Electra: Bring back my father too. Clytemnestra: Where lurks the boy? Electra: In safety, where he fears no rival's power. This will content a loving mother. Clytemnestra: Yes, But not an angry one. Thou diest today. Electra: Oh, let me perish by thy practiced hand! Behold, I leave the altar's sheltering side; Wilt plunge the knife into my tender throat? I yield me to thy will. Or dost prefer At one fell stroke to smite away my head? My neck awaits thy deadly aim. Let crime By other crime be purged. Thy hands are stained And reeking with thy murdered husband's blood: Come, cleanse them in the fresher stream of mine. [Enter Aegisthus.] Clytemnestra: Thou partner of my perils and my throne, Aegisthus, come; this most unnatural child Assails her mother and her brother hides. Aegisthus: Thou mad and foolish girl, restrain thy tongue, For such wild words offend thy mother's ears. Electra: Thou arch contriver of most impious crime, Wilt thou admonish me? Thou base-born wretch, Thou sister's son, and grandson of thy sire! Clytemnestra: Aegisthus, how canst thou restrain thy hand From smiting off her head? But hear my word: Let her give up her brother or her life. Aegisthus: Nay, rather, in some dark and stony cell