_Attendant:_ What new design does thy mad soul conceive? _Atreus:_ No deed within the accustomed bounds of grief. 255 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, 260 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. 265 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? _Atreus:_ Some greater evil lurks within my soul, And, monstrous, swells beyond all human bounds, My sluggish hands impelling to the deed. I know not what it is; but this I know, That 'tis some monstrous deed. So let it be. 270 Haste thee and do this deed, O soul of mine! 'Tis worthy of Thyestes--and of me. Let both perform it then. The Odrysian house Was wont to look on feasts unspeakable-- monstrous thing, 'tis true, but long ago Performed. This grief of mine some greater sin 275 Must find to feed upon. Do thou inspire My heart, O Daulian Procne, who didst know A mother's and a sister's feelings too. Our cause is similar. Assist thou then, And nerve my hand to act. Let once again A sire with joyous greed his children rend, And hungrily devour their flesh. 'Tis good, 'Tis quite enough. This mode of punishment So far doth please me well. But where is he? 280 Why do the hands of Atreus rest so long Inactive? Even now before mine eyes The perfect image of the slaughter comes; I seem to see the murdered children heaped Before their father's face. O timid soul, Why dost thou fear? Why droops thy courage now Before the deed is done? Then up, and dare. Of this mad crime the most revolting part 285 Thyestes' self shall do. _Attendant:_ But by what wiles Shall we unto our snares entice his feet? For he doth count us all his enemies.