Elec. Give him no leave to speak,
By all the Gods, my brother, nor to spin
His long discourse. When men are plunged in ills,
What gain can one who stands condemned to die
Reap from delay? No, slay him out of hand,
And, having slain him, cast him forth, to find
Fit burial at their hands from whom 'tis meet
That he should have it, far away from view.
Thus only shall I gain a remedy
For all the evils of the years gone by.1490
Ores. [To Ægisthos.] Go thou within, and quickly.
Now our strife
Is not of words, but for thy life itself.
Ægis. Why dost thou force me in? If this be right,
What need of darkness? Why not slay at once?
Ores. Give thou no orders, but where thou did'st slay
My father, go, that thou too there may'st die.
Ægis. Is it then doomed this house should see the ills
Of Pelops' line, both present and to come?
Ores. Yes, thine: of that, at least, I 'm prophet true.
Ægis. The skill thou boastest came not from thy sire.1500
Ores. Still thou dost bandy many idle words,
And length'nest out the way. Move on.
Ægis. Lead thou.
Ores. Not so. Thou must go first.
Ægis. Dost think I'll flee?
Ores. Thou must not die the death thou would'st desire;
I needs must make it bitter. Doom like this
Should fall on all who dare transgress the laws.
The doom of death. Then wickedness no more
Would multiply its strength.
Chor. Ο seed of Atreus, after many woes,
Thou hast come forth, thy freedom hardly won,
By this emprise made perfect!1510
