Lines 1668-1708
AEGISTHUS:
The treachery was me woman's work, clearly.
I was a marked man, his enemy for ages.
But I will use his riches, stop at nothing 1670
to civilize his people. All but the rebel:
him I'll yoke and break -
no cornfed colt, running free in the traces.
Hunger, ruthless mate of the dark torture-chamber,
trains her eyes upon him till he drops! 1675
Leader: Coward, why not k** the man yourself? Why did the woman, the corruption of
Greece and the gods of Greece, have to bring him down? Orestes -
If he still sees the light of day, bring him home, good Fates, home to k** 1680
this pair at last. Our champion in slaughter!
Aegisthus: Bent on insolence? Well, you'll learn, quickly. At them, men - you have your work
at hand!
His men draw swords; the old men take up their sticks. Leader: At them, fist at the hilt, to the
last man -
Aegisthus: Fist at the hilt, I'm not afraid to die. 1685
Leader:
It's d**h you want and d**h you'll have -
we'll make that word your last.
clytaemnestra moves between them, restraining Aegisthus.
clytaemnestra:
No more, my dearest, no more grief. We have too much to reap right here, our mighty
harvest of despair. Our lives are based on pain. No bloodshed now. 1690
Fathers of Argos, turn for home before you act
and suffer for it. What we did was destiny.
If we could end the suffering, how we would rejoice.
The spirit's brutal hoof has struck our heart
And that is what a woman has to say. 1695
Can you accept the truth?THE LIBATION BEARERS
CLYTAEMNESTRA turns to leave. AEGISTHUS:
But these... mouths that bloom in filth - spitting insults in my teeth. You tempt your fates,
you insubordinate dogs -to hurl abuse at me, your master!
Leader:
No Greek worth his salt would grovel at your feet. 1700
Aegisthus: I - I'll stalk you all your days!
Leader: Not if the spirit brings Orestes home.
Aegisthus: Exiles feed on hope - well I know.
Leader:
More, gorge yourself to bursting - soil justice, while you can.
Aegisthus: I promise you, you'll pay, old fools - in good time, too! 1705
Leader: Strut on your own dunghill, you co*k beside your mate.
CLYTAEMNESTRA:
Let them howl - they're impotent. You and I have power now. We will set the house in order
once for all.
They enter the palace; the great doors close behind them; the old men disband and wander
off.