ELECTRA
Aegisthus
O horror!
Orestes
Why dost start? is the face strange?
Aegisthus
Who spread the net wherein, O woe is me,
I lie enmeshed?
Orestes
Hast thou not learnt ere this
The dead of whom thou spakest are alive?
Aegisthus
Alas! I read thy riddle; ’tis none else
Than thou, Orestes, whom I now address.
Orestes
A seer so wise, and yet befooled so long!
Aegisthus
O I am spoiled, undone! yet suffer me,
One little word.
Electra
Brother, in heaven’s name
Let him not speak a word or plead his cause.
When a poor wretch is in the toils of fate
What can a brief reprieve avail him? No,
Slay him outright and having slain him give
His corse to such grave-makers as is meet,
Far from our sight; for me no otherwise
Can he wipe out the memory of past wrongs.
Orestes (to Aegisthus)
Quick, get thee in; the issue lies not now
In words; the case is tried and thou must die.
