And praise God, bruisèd though we be beneath the Daemon's heavy heel.
This is the word a woman speaks, to hear if any man will deign.
Aigisthos.
And who are these to burst in flower of folly thus of tongue and brain,
And utter words of empty sound and perilous, tempting Fortune's frown,
And leave wise counsel all forgot, and gird at him who wears the crown?
Leader.
To cringe before a caitiff's crown, it squareth not with Argive ways.
Aigisthos.
(sheathing his sword and turning from them).
Bah, I will be a hand of wrath to fall on thee in after days.
Leader.
Not so, if God in after days shall guide Orestes home again!
Aigisthos.
I know how men in exile feed on dreams . . . and know such food is vain.
Leader.
Go forward and wax fat! Defile the right for this thy little hour!
