And you, dear youths, the comforters of age,
Come cling about my neck. Those rags of woe,
My brother, lay aside, and spare mine eyes;
And clothe thyself more fittingly in these, 525
The equal of my own. And, last of all,
Accept thine equal share of this our realm.
'Twill bring a greater meed of praise to me,
To restore thee safely to thy father's throne.
For chance may put the scepter in our hands;
But only virtue seeks to give it up.
Thyestes: May heaven, my brother, worthily repay 530
These deeds of thine. But this my wretched head
Will not consent to wear a diadem,
Nor my ill-omened hand to hold the staff
Of power. Nay, rather, let me hide myself
Among the throng.
Atreus: There's room upon the throne.
Thyestes: But I shall know that all of thine is mine. 535
Atreus: But who would throw away good fortune's gifts?
Thyestes: Whoe'er has found how easily they fail.
Atreus: And wouldst thou thwart thy brother's great renown?
Thyestes: Thy glory is attained; mine bides its time.
My mind is resolute to shun the crown. 540
Atreus: Then I refuse my share of power as well.
Thyestes: Nay then, I yield. The name of king I'll wear,
But laws and arms—and I, are thine to sway.
Atreus [placing the crown on his brother's head]: I'll place this crown
upon thy reverend head,
And pay the destined victims to the gods. 545
Chorus: The sight is past belief. Behold,
This Atreus, fierce and bold of soul,
By every cruel passion swayed,
When first he saw his brother's face
Was held in dumb amaze.
No force is greater than the power
Of Nature's ties of love. 'Tis true
That wars with foreign foes endure; 550
But they whom true love once has bound
