His effeminate manners are more than maiden tongue may speak of; beauty graced his perfect form: But be not mine a husband, whose fair face In softness with a virgin's vies, but one Of manly manners; for the sons of such By martial toils are trained to glorious deeds; The beauteous only the dance give grace. Let the wicked in future learn they are not secure till the goal of life is reached. {1092} Clytaemnestra is then seen approaching: they hurry Orestes in; his heart fails him at the thought of his mother; with difficulty Electra rouses him to his appointed vengeance. [_Exeunt all but Electra into the Cottage. Enter Clytaemnestra in a Chariot and splendid array._] _The Chorus_ welcome her, and she begs their aid to alight.--_Electra_ thrusts herself forward clad in rags as she is, and begs that she too may assist.--_Clyt._ feels the impropriety of the scene, and falls into an apologetic tone; it was Electra's father who, by his injustice to Iphigenia, was the real cause of Electra's trouble. This leads to the usual judicial disputation: _Clyt._ pleading that this sacrifice of her daughter was done not for a good cause, but for the wanton Helen; this sacrifice she had avenged, and to avenge it must join an enemy, not a friend, of Agamemnon.--_Electra_, getting permission, replies: Helen was not the only wanton one of her family; if no motive but vengeance, why begin to adorn as soon as Agamemnon was out of the way, why rejoice whenever the Trojans prospered, why go on to persecute Orestes and herself, nay, why not slay Aegisthus for persecuting these her children? The sight of Electra's miserable condition makes even _Clyt._ feel compunction: she has been too harsh, she will be kinder now, and so shall Aegisthus--Electra replying to all that it is too late. At last _Clyt._ prepares to go within the house and perform the rite for Electra; then she will join her husband. _Exeunt Attendants with Chariot, and Electra ushers Clytaemnestra into the Cottage_. Let my poor house receive thee: but take heed Lest thy rich vests the blackening smoke denies.-- There shalt thou sacrifice, as to the gods Behoves thee sacrifice: the basket there Is for the rites prepared, and the keen blade Which struck the bull; beside him shalt thou fall By a like blow; in Pluto's courts his bride He shall receive, with whom in heav'n's fair light Thy couch was shared: to thee this grace I give, Thou vengeance for my father shalt give me. {1274} CHORAL INTERLUDE III The waves of mischief are flowing back, the gale of Violence is veering: Vengeance for the crime of old standing is come at last. {1298} EXODUS, OR FINALE Cries are heard from within: the Chorus know that the deed is done.