ÆGISTHUS. Speak on; each word shall be a fount of tears, I'll make thy tongue old Orpheus' opposite. {91} He with sweet sounds led wild beasts where he would, Thou where thou wilt not shalt be led, confounding The woods with baby cries. Thou barkest now, But, being bound, the old man shall be tame. CHORUS. A comely king wert thou to rule the Argives! Whose wit had wickedness to plan the deed, But failed the nerve in thy weak hand to do it. ÆGISTHUS. 'Twas wisely schemed with woman's cunning wit To snare him. I, from ancient date his foe, Stood in most just suspicion. Now, 'tis done; And I, succeeding to his wealth, shall know To hold the reins full tightly. Who rebels Shall not with corn be fatted for my traces, But, stiffly haltered, he shall lodge secure In darkness, with starvation for his mate. CHORUS. Hear me yet once. Why did thy dastard hand Shrink from the deed? But now his wife hath done it, Tainting this land with murder most abhorred, Polluting Argive gods. But still Orestes Looks on the light; him favouring Fortune shall Nerve with one stroke to smite this guilty pair. ÆGISTHUS. Nay, if thou for brawls art eager, and for battle, thou shalt know-- CHORUS. Ho! my gallant co-mates, rouse ye![n100] 'tis an earnest business now! Quick, each hand with sure embracement hold the dagger by the hilt! ÆGISTHUS. I can also hold a hilted dagger--not afraid to die. CHORUS. DIE!--we catch the word thou droppest; lucky chance, if thou wert dead! CLYTEMNESTRA. Not so, best-beloved! there needeth no enlargement to our ills. We have reaped a liberal harvest, gleaned a crop of fruitful woes, Gained a loss in brimming measure: blood's been shed enough to-day. Peacefully, ye hoary Elders, enter now your destined homes, Ere mischance o'ertake you, deeming WHAT IS DONE HATH SO BEEN DONE, AS IT BEHOVED TO BE, contented if the dread god add no more, He that now the house of Pelops smiteth in his anger dire. Thus a woman's word doth warn ye, if that ye have wit to hear. {92} ÆGISTHUS. Babbling fools are they; and I forsooth must meekly bear the shower, Flowers of contumely east from doting drivellers, tempting fate! O! if length of hoary winters brought discretion, ye should know Where the power is; wisely subject you the weak to me the strong. CHORUS. Ill beseems our Argive mettle to court a coward on a throne. ÆGISTHUS. Shielded now, be brave with words; my deeds expect some future day. CHORUS. Ere that day belike some god shall bring Orestes to his home. ÆGISTHUS. Feed, for thou hast nothing better, thou and he, on empty hope. CHORUS. Glut thy soul, a lusty sinner, with sin's fatness, while thou may'st. ÆGISTHUS. Thou shalt pay the forfeit, greybeard, of thy braggart tongue anon. CHORUS. Oh, the cock beside its partlet now may crow right valiantly!