Part 6 (2/2)

_El_. Then Clytemnestra did not come in time To stay thine arm?

_Or._ And who had been enough For that? To stay my arm? I hurled myself Upon him; not more swift the thunderbolt.

The coward wept, and those vile tears the more Filled me with hate. A man that durst not die Slew thee, my father!

_El._ Now is our sire avenged!

Calm thyself now, and tell me, did thine eyes Behold not Pylades?

_Or._ I saw Aegisthus; None other. Where is dear Pylades? And why Did he not second me in this glorious deed?

_El._ I had confided to his care our mad And desperate mother.

_Or._ I knew nothing of them.

_Enter_ PYLADES.

_El._ See, Pylades returns--O heavens, what do I see?

Returns alone?

_Or._ And sad? Oh wherefore sad, Part of myself, art thou? Know'st not I've slain Yon villain? Look, how with his life-blood yet My sword is dripping! Ah, thou did'st not share His death-blow with me! Feed then on this sight Thine eyes, my Pylades!

_Pyl._ O sight! Orestes, Give me that sword.

_Or._ And wherefore?

_Pyl._ Give it me.

_Or._ Take it.

_Pyl._ Oh listen! We may not tarry longer Within these borders; come--

_Or._ But what--

_El_. Oh speak!

Where's Clytemnestra?

_Or._ Leave her; she is perchance Kindling the pyre unto her traitor husband.

_Pyl._ Oh, thou hast far more than fulfilled thy vengeance.

Come, now, and ask no more.

_Or._ What dost thou say?

_El._ Our mother! I beseech thee yet again!

Pylades--Oh what chill is this that creeps Through all my veins?

_Pyl._ The heavens--

_El._ Ah, she is dead!

_Or._ Hath turned her dagger, maddened, on herself?

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