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Part III.
Part III.
[Enter Orestes and Pylades, in guise of travellers.
Orestes (knocking at the palace gate)
What ho! slave, ho! I smite the palace gate
In vain, it seems; what ho, attend within, -
Once more, attend; come forth and ope the halls,
If yet Aegisthus holds them hospitable.
Slave (from within)
Anon, anon! [Opens the door.
Speak, from what land art thou, and sent from whom?
Orestes
Go, tell to them who rule the palace halls,
Since `tis to them I come with tidings new -
(Delay not - Night`s dark car is speeding on,
And time is now for wayfarers to cast
Anchor in haven, wheresoe`er a house
Doth welcome strangers) - that there now come forth
Some one who holds authority within -
The queen, or, if some man, more seemly were it;
For when man standeth face to face with man,
No stammering modesty confounds their speech,
But each to each doth tell his meaning clear.
[Enter Clytemnestra.
Clytemnestra
Speak on, O strangers; have ye need of aught?
Here is whate`er beseems a house like this -
Warm bath and bed, tired Nature`s soft restorer,
And courteous eyes to greet you; and if aught
Of graver import needeth act as well,
That, as man`s charge, I to a man will tell.
Orestes
A Daulian man am I, from Phocis bound,
And as with mine own travel-scrip self-laden
I went toward Argos, parting hitherward
With travelling foot, there did encounter me
One whom I knew not and who knew not me,
But asked my purposed way nor hid his own,
And, as we talked together, told his name -
Strophius of Phocis; then he said, "Good sir,
Since in all case thou art to Argos bound,
Forget not this my message, heed it well,
Tell to his own, Orestes is no more.
And - whatsoe`er his kinsfolk shall resolve,
Whether to bear his dust unto his home,
Or lay him here, in death as erst in life
Exiled for aye, a child of banishment -
Bring me their hest, upon thy backward road;
For now in brazen compass of an urn
His ashes lie, their dues of weeping paid."
So much I heard, and so much tell to thee,
Not knowing if I speak unto his kin
Who rule his home; but well, I deem, it were,
Such news should earliest reach a parent`s ear.
Clytemnestra
Ah woe is me! thy word our ruin tells;
From roof-tree unto base are we despoiled. -
O thou whom nevermore we wrestle down,
Thou Fury of this home, how oft and oft
Thou dost descry what far aloof is laid,
Yea, from afar dost bend th` unerring bow
And rendest from my wretchedness its friends;
As now Orestes - who, a brief while since,
Safe from the mire of death stood warily, -
Was the home`s hope to cure th` exulting wrong;
Now thou ordainest, Let the ill abide.
Orestes
To host and hostess thus with fortune blest,
Lief had I come with better news to bear
Unto your greeting and acquaintanceship;
For what goodwill lies deeper than the bond
Of guest and host? and wrong abhorred it were,
As well I deem, if I, who pledged my faith
To one, and greetings from the other had,
Bore not aright the tidings `twixt the twain.
Clytemnestra
Whate`er thy news, thou shalt not welcome lack,
Meet and deserved, nor scant our grace shall be.
Hadst thou thyself not come, such tale to tell,
Another, sure, had borne it to our ears.
But lo! the hour is here when travelling guests,
Fresh from the daylong labour of the road,
Should win their rightful due. Take him within
[To the slave.
To the man-chamber`s hospitable rest -
Him and these fellow-farers at his side;
Give them such guest-right as beseems our halls;
I bid thee do as thou shalt answer for it.
And I unto the prince who rules our home
Will tell the tale, and, since we lack not friends,
With them will counsel how this hap to bear.
[Exit Clytemnestra.
Chorus
So be it done -
Sister - servants, when draws nigh
Time for us aloud to cry,
Orestes and his victory?
O holy earth and holy tomb
Over the grave - pit heaped on high,
Where low doth Agamemnon lie,
The king of ships, the army`s lord!
Now is the hour - give ear and come,
For now doth Craft her aid afford,
And Hermes, guard of shades in hell,
Stands o`er their strife, to sentinel
The dooming of the sword.
I wot the stranger worketh woe within -
For lo! I see come forth, suffused with tears,
Orestes` nurse. What ho, Kilissa - thou
Beyond the doors? Where goest thou? Methinks
Some grief unbidden walketh at thy side.
[Enter Kilissa, a nurse.
Kilissa
My mistress bids me, with what speed I may,
Call in Aegisthus to the stranger guests,
That he may come, and standing face to face,
A man with men, may thus more clearly learn
This rumour new. Thus speaking, to her slaves
She hid beneath the glance of fictive grief
Laughter for what is wrought - to her desire
Too well; but ill, ill, ill besets the house,
Brought by the tale these guests have told so clear.
And he, God wot, will gladden all his heart
Hearing this rumour. Woe and well - a - day!
The bitter mingled cup of ancient woes,
Hard to be borne, that here in Atreus` house
Befel, was grievous to mine inmost heart,
But never yet did I endure such pain.
All else I bore with set soul patiently;
But now - alack, alack! - Orestes dear,
The day - and night - long travail of my soul!
Whom from his mother`s womb, a new - born child,
I clasped and cherished! Many a time and oft
Toilsome and profitless my service was,
When his shrill outcry called me from my couch!
For the young child, before the sense is born,
Hath but a dumb thing`s life, must needs be nursed
As its own nature bids. The swaddled thing
Hath nought of speech, whate`er discomfort come -
Hunger or thirst or lower weakling need, -
For the babe`s stomach works its own relief.
Which knowing well before, yet oft surprised,
`Twas mine to cleanse the swaddling clothes - poor I
Was nurse to tend and fuller to make white;
Two works in one, two handicrafts I took,
When in mine arms the father laid the boy.
And now he`s dead - alack and well - a - day!
Yet must I go to him whose wrongful power
Pollutes this house - fair tidings these to him!
Chorus
Say then with what array she bids him come?
Kilissa
What say`st thou! Speak more clearly for mine ear.
Chorus
Bids she bring henchmen, or to come alone?
Kilissa
She bids him bring a spear - armed body - guard.
Chorus
Nay, tell not that unto our loathed lord,
But speed to him, put on the mien of joy,
Say, Come along, fear nought, the news is good:
A bearer can tell straight a twisted tale.
Kilissa
Does then thy mind in this new tale find joy?
Chorus
What if Zeus bid our ill wind veer to fair?
Kilissa
And how? the home`s hope with Orestes dies.
Chorus
Not yet - a seer, though feeble, this might see.
Kilissa
What say`st thou? Know`st thou aught this tale belying?
Chorus
Go, tell the news to him, perform thine hest, -
What the gods will, themselves can well provide.
Kilissa
Well, I will go, herein obeying thee;
And luck fall fair, with favour sent from heaven.
[Exit.
Chorus
Zeus, sire of them who on Olympus dwell,
Hear thou, O hear my prayer!
Grant to my rightful lords to prosper well
Even as their zeal is fair!
For right, for right goes up aloud my cry -
Zeus, aid him, stand anigh!
Into his father`s hall he goes
To smite his father`s foes.
Bid him prevail! by thee on throne of triumph set,
Twice, yea and thrice with joy shall acquit the debt.
Bethink thee, the young steed, the orphan foal
Of sire beloved by thee, unto the car
Of doom is harnessed fast.
Guide him aright, plant firm a lasting goal,
Speed thou his pace, - O that no chance may mar
The homeward course, the last!
And ye who dwell within the inner chamber
Where shines the stored joy of gold -
Gods of one heart, O hear ye, and remember;
Up and avenge the blood shed forth of old,
With sudden rightful blow;
Then let the old curse die, nor be renewed
With progeny of blood, -
Once more, and not again, be latter guilt laid low!
O thou who dwell`st in Delphi`s mighty cave,
Grant us to see this home once more restored
Unto its rightful lord!
Let it look forth, from veils of death, with joyous eye
Unto the dawning light of liberty;
And Hermes, Maia`s child, lend hand to save,
Willing the right, and guide
Our state with Fortune`s breeze adown the favouring tide.
Whate`er in darkness hidden lies,
He utters at his will;
He at his will throws darkness on our eye,
By night and eke by day inscrutable.
Then, then shall wealth atone
The ills that here were done.
Then, then will we unbind,
Fling free on wafting wind
Of joy, the woman`s voice that waileth now
In piercing accents for a chief laid low;
And this our songs shall be -
Hail to the commonwealth restored!
Hail to the freedom won to me!
All hail! for doom hath passed from him, my well - loved lord!
And thou, O child, when Time and Chance agree,
Up to the deed that for thy sire is done!
And if she wail unto thee, Spare, O son -
Cry, Aid, O father - and achieve the deed,
The horror of man`s tongue, the gods` great need!
Hold in thy breast such heart as Perseus had,
The bitter woe work forth,
Appease the summons of the dead,
The wrath of friends on earth;
Yea, set within a sign of blood and doom,
And do to utter death him that pollutes thy home.
[Enter Aegisthus.
Aegisthus
Hither and not unsummoned have I come;
For a new rumour, borne by stranger men
Arriving hither, hath attained mine ears.
Of hap unwished - for, even Orestes` death.
This were new sorrow, a blood - bolter`s load
Laid on the house that doth already bow
Beneath a former wound that festers deep.
Dare I opine these words have truth and life?
Or are they tales, of woman`s terror born,
That fly in the void air, and die disproved?
Canst thou tell aught, and prove it to my soul?
Chorus
What we have heard, we heard; go thou within
Thyself to ask the strangers of their tale.
Strengthless are tidings, thro` another heard;
Question is his to whom the tale is brought.
Aegisthus
I too will meet and test the messenger,
Whether himself stood witness of the death
Or tells it merely from dim rumour learnt:
None shall cheat me, whose soul hath watchful eyes.
[Exit.
Chorus
Zeus, Zeus! what word to me is given?
What cry or prayer, invoking heaven,
Shall first by me be uttered?
What speech of craft - nor all revealing,
Nor all too warily concealing -
Ending my speech, shall aid the deed?
For lo! in readiness is laid
The dark emprise, the rending blade;
Blood - dropping daggers shall achieve
The dateless doom of Atreus` name,
Or - kindling torch and joyful flame
In sign of new - won liberty -
Once more Orestes shall retrieve
His father`s wealth, and throned on high,
Shall hold the city`s fealty.
So mighty is the grasp whereby,
Heaven - holpen, he shall trip and throw
Unseconded, a double foe.
Ho for the victory!
[A loud cry within.
Voice of Aegisthus
Help, help, alas!
Chorus
Ho there, ho! how is`t within?
Is`t done? is`t over? Stand we here aloof
While it is wrought, that guiltless we may seem
Of this dark deed; with death is strife fulfilled.
[Enter a slave.
Slave
O woe, O woe, my lord is done to death!
Woe, woe, and again, Aegisthus gone!
Hasten, fling wide the doors, unloose the bolts
Of the queen`s chamber. O for some young strength
To match the need! but aid availeth nought
To him laid low for ever. Help, help, help!
Sure to deaf ears I shout, and call in vain
To slumber ineffectual. What ho!
The queen! how fareth Clytemnestra`s self?
Her neck too, hers, is close upon the steel,
And soon shall sink, hewn thro` as justice wills.
[Enter Clytemnestra.
Clytemnestra
What ails thee, raising this ado for us?
Slave
I say the dead are come to slay the living.
Clytemnestra
Alack, I read thy riddles all to clear -
We slew by craft and by like craft shall die.
Swift, bring the axe that slew my lord of old;
I`ll know anon or death or victory -
So stands the curse, so I confront it here.
[Enter Orestes, his sword dropping with blood.
Orestes
Thee too I seek: for him what`s done will serve.
Clytemnestra
Woe, woe! Aegisthus, spouse and champion, slain!
Orestes
What, lov`st the man? then in his grave lie down,
Be his in death, desert him nevermore!
Clytemnestra
Stay, child, and fear to strike, O son, this breast
Pillowed thine head full oft, while, drowsed with sleep,
Thy toothless mouth drew mother`s milk from me.
Orestes
Can I my mother spare? speak, Pylades.
Pylades
Where then would fall the hest Apollo gave
At Delphi, where the solemn compact sworn?
Choose thou the hate of all men, not of gods.
Orestes
Thou dost prevail; I hold thy counsel good.
[To Clytemnestra.
Follow; I will to slay thee at his side.
With him whom in his life thou lovedst more
Than Agamemnon, sleep in death, the meed
For hate where love, and love where hate was due!
Clytemnestra
I nursed thee young; must I forego mine eld?
Orestes
Thou slew`st my father; shalt thou dwell with me?
Clytemnestra
Fate bore a share in these things, O my child!
Orestes
Fate also doth provide this doom for thee.
Clytemnestra
Beware, O child, a parent`s dying curse.
Orestes
A parent who did cast me out to ill!
Clytemnestra
Not cast thee out, but to a friendly home.
Orestes
Born free, I was by twofold bargain sold.
Clytemnestra
Where then the price that I received for thee?
Orestes
The price of shame; I taunt thee not more plainly.
Clytemnestra
Nay, but recount thy father`s lewdness too.
Orestes
keeping, chide not him who toils without.
Clytemnestra
`Tis hard for wives to live as widows, child.
Orestes
The absent husband toils for them at home.
Clytemnestra
Thou growest fain to slay thy mother, child.
Orestes
Nay, `tis thyself wilt slay thyself, not I.
Clytemnestra
Beware thy mother`s vengeful hounds from hell.
Orestes
How shall I `scape my father`s, sparing thee?
Clytemnestra
Living, I cry as to a tomb, unheard.
Orestes
My father`s fate ordains this doom for thee.
Clytemnestra
Ah, me! this snake it was I bore and nursed.
Orestes
Ay, right prophetic was thy visioned fear.
Shameful thy deed was - die the death of shame!
[Exit, driving Clytemnestra before him
Chorus
Lo, even for these I mourn, a double death:
Yet since Orestes, driven on by doom,
Thus crowns the height of murders manifold,
I say, `tis well that not in night and death
Should sink the eye and light of this our home.
There came on Priam`s race and name
A vengeance; though it tarried long,
With heavy doom it came.
Came, too, on Agamemnon`s hall
A lion - pair, twin swordsmen strong.
And last, the heritage doth fall
To him to whom from Pythian cave
The god his deepest counsel gave.
Cry out, rejoice! our kingly hall
Hath `scaped from ruin - ne`er again
Its ancient wealth be wasted all
By two usurpers, is in - defiled -
An evil path of woe and bane!
On him who dealt the dastard blow
Comes Craft, Revenge`s scheming child.
And hand in hand with him doth go,
Eager for fight,
The child of Zeus, whom men below
Call Justice, naming her aright.
And on her foes her breath
Is as the blast of death;
For her the god who dwells in deep recess
Beneath Parnassus` brow,
Summons with loud acclaim
To rise, though late and lame,
And come with craft that worketh righteousness.
For even o`er powers divine this law is strong -
Thou shalt not serve the wrong.
To that which ruleth heaven beseems it that we bow.
Lo, freedom`s light hath come!
Lo, now is rent away
The grim and curbing bit that held us dumb.
Up to the light, ye halls! this many a day
Too low on earth ye lay.
And Time, the great Accomplisher,
Shall cross the threshold, whensoe`er
He choose with purging hand to cleanse
The palace, driving all pollution thence.
And fair the cast of Fortune`s die
Before our state`s new lords shall lie,
Not as of old, but bringing fairer doom.
Lo, freedom`s light hath come!
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