_Tantalus:_ If well we heed our ways, God will protect us. Come with courage on. 490 _Atreus_ [_coming upon the scene, sees_ Thyestes _and his three sons, and gloats over the fact that his brother is at last in his power. He speaks aside_]: Now is the prey fast caught within my toils. I see the father and his hated brood, And here my vengeful hate is safe bestowed; For now at last he's come into my hands; He's come, Thyestes and his children--all! 495 When I see him I scarce can curb my grief, And keep my soul from breaking madly forth. So when the Umbrian hound pursues the prey, Keen scented, on the long leash held, he goes With lowered muzzle questing on the trail. While distant still the game and faint the scent, Obedient to the leash, with silent tongue 500 He goes along; but when the prey is near, With straining neck he struggles to be free, Bays loud against the cautious hunter's check, And bursts from all restraint. When, near at hand, Hot wrath perceives the blood for which it thirsts, It cannot be restrained. Yet must it be. See how his unkempt, matted hair conceals 505 His woeful countenance; how foul his beard. [_He now addresses_ Thyestes.] My promised faith, my brother, will I keep; 'Tis a delight to see thee once again. Come to my arms in mutual embrace; For all the anger which I felt for thee Has melted clean away. From this time forth Let ties of blood be cherished, love and faith; 510 And let that hatred which has cursed us both Forever vanish from our kindred souls. _Thyestes:_ I should attempt to palliate my sins, Hadst thou not shown me such fraternal love; But now I own, my brother, now I own That I have sinned against thee past belief. Thy faithful piety has made my case Seem blacker still. A double sinner he 515 Who sins against a brother such as thou. Now let my tears my penitence approve. Thou, first of all mankind, beholdest me A suppliant; these hands, which never yet Have touched the feet of man, are laid on thine. Let all thy wrathful feelings be forgot, Be utterly erased from off thy soul; 520 And take, O brother, as my pledge of faith These guiltless sons of mine.