THY. Will Atreus ever love Thyestes again? I think it is more likely that the Polar stars will swoop down from the heavens and hide themselves in the broad ocean-depths, or that the impetuous waters of the Sicilian straits should calm down suddenly, or the growing corn to ripen, submerged in the Ionian seas. One would rather expect to see sombre Nox, lighting up the Earth, instead of Phœbus, or to see water mixing kindly with fire. Life itself fraternizing, amicably, cheek by jowl, with bitter Mors, or for the winds to enter into some anomalous arrangement, and treaty of peace, with the ocean waves!
PLIS. What fraud, then, dost thou fear?
THY. Every fear, in fact; what bounds can I set on my fear? As great as is his power, so is his hatred of me!
PLIS. What can he do to thee?
THY. For myself I entertain no fears; thou art the object of my fears as regards Atreus!
PLIS. Dost thou fear being taken prisoner? It is somewhat slow work, to begin to fear mischief only when danger is far advanced.
THY. Let things take their course, let us go! At least, my son, I pledge my confidence in this idea, by saying, I follow thee, but I am not leading thee to this business!
PLIS. May the Gods bless thee for having decided so considerately. Come on, father mine, and advance with the step of confidence.
ATREUS—THYESTES—PLISTHENES.
| TANTALUS, SON, and the THIRD BROTHER. |
Mute personages. |
ATREUS.
Like some wild beast, Thyestes is at last in my power, entangled by the toils that have been laid for his capture; and as I behold him, side by side, with, his hateful offspring, I detect the look of the parent clearly reproduced in the physiognomies of the sons. Now my revenge must be planned in a safe manner; at last, Thyestes has fallen into my hands, and not only does he
