Aegisthus: Can I, then, see the corpse with mine own eyes?
Electra: Thou canst, indeed; and 'tis no enviable sight.
Aegisthus: Indeed, thou hast given me a joyful greeting, beyond thy
wont.
Electra: Joy be thine, if in these things thou findest joy.
Aegisthus: Silence, I say, and throw wide the gates, for all Mycenaeans
and Argives to behold; that, if any of them were once buoyed on empty
hopes from this man, now, seeing him dead, they may receive my curb,
instead of waiting till my chastisement make them wise perforce!
Electra: No loyalty is lacking on my part; time hath taught me the
prudence of concord with the stronger. (The central doors of the
palace are thrown open and a shrouded corpse is disclosed. Orestes
and Pylades stand near it.)
Aegisthus: O Zeus, I behold that which hath not fallen save by the
doom of jealous Heaven; but, if Nemesis attend that word, be it unsaid!
Take all the covering from the face, that kinship, at least, may receive
the tribute of lament from me also.
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