_Atreus_ [_returning, with a covered platter in his hands_]: Now spread thy loving arms. See, here they are. [_He uncovers the platter revealing the severed heads of_ Thyestes' _sons_.] Dost recognize thy sons? 1005 _Thyestes:_ I recognize my brother! How, O Earth, Canst thou endure such monstrous crime as this? Why dost thou not to everlasting shade And Styx infernal cleave a yawning gulf, And sweep away to empty nothingness This guilty king with all his realm? And why Dost thou not raze, and utterly destroy 1010 The city of Mycenae? Both of us Should stand with Tantalus in punishment. If, far below the depths of Tartarus, There is a deeper hell, O Mother Earth, Thy strong foundations rend asunder wide, And send us thither to that lowest pit. 1015 There let us hide beneath all Acheron; Let damnéd shades above our guilty heads Go wandering; let fiery Phlegethon In raging torrent pour his burning sands Above our place of exile. But the earth Insensate lies, and utterly unmoved. 1020 The gods have fled. _Atreus:_ Nay, come with thankful heart Receive thy sons whom thou hast long desired. Enjoy them, kiss them, share among the three Thy fond embraces. _Thyestes:_ And is this thy bond? Is this thy grace, thy fond fraternal faith? So dost thou cease to hate? I do not ask 1025 That I may have my sons again unharmed; But what in crime and hatred may be given, This I, a brother, from a brother ask: That I may bury them. Restore my sons, And thou shalt see their corpses burned at once. The father begs for naught that he may keep, But utterly destroy. 1030 _Atreus:_ Thou hast thy sons, Whate'er of them remains; thou also hast Whate'er does not remain. _Thyestes:_ What hast thou done? Hast fed them to the savage, greedy birds? Have beasts of prey devoured their tender flesh? _Atreus:_ _Thou hast thyself that impious banquet made._