death of Virginia, are still more out of place, when we consider that Appius is almost as important a personage as she, and that his danger and destruction, by which Virginia is avenged, and her death is justified, complete the essential action of the poem. Born in shame, the offspring Hour Amongst the tragedies of Alfieri, of the second period, we shall select the Agamemnon, in order to give some idea of a Greek drama of four characters, the interest of which does not arise from political events. The scene, which is laid in the palace of Argos, opens with a very beautiful soliloquy of Ægisthus, who imagines himself pursued by the shade of Thyestes, demanding vengeance. This he promises. of infamy and incest, he believes himself called upon by destiny to commit the crime. after hour, he awaits the return of the conqueror of Troy, and he promises the shade of his father to immolate him and his family. Clytemnestra seeks him, wishing to divert those painful thoughts which are so plainly depicted on his countenance. Ægisthus only speaks to her of his approaching departure, and of the necessity of avoiding the sight of the son of Atreus, the enemy of his race. He can bear neither his anger nor his contempt, and to the one or the other he is sensible that he must be exposed. He thus wounds the pride which Clytemnestra feels in the object of her love, and excites and directs against Agamem non, the irritation of his delirious spouse. Clytemnestra at last beholds in Agamemnon only the murderer of Iphigenia. She calls to mind with bitterness that horrible sacrifice, and trembles at the name of such a father. All her affections are concentrated in Ægisthus and her children, and she loves to think that Ægisthus will be a more tender father than Agamemnon to Electra and to Orestes. Electra approaches, and Clytemnestra, in order to speak with her, prevails upon Ægisthus to leave them. Electra relates the various reports which have spread through Argos, respecting the Grecian Aleet. Some assert that contrary winds have driven it back to the mouth of the Bosphorus ; others, that it has been shipwrecked on the rocks; while others again believe that they see the sails near the shores. Clytemnestra demands with sarcastic bitterness, whether the gods wish that another of her children should be sacrificed for the return of Agamemnon, even as one perished on his departure. The character of Electra is admirable throughout. All her speeches are full of tenderness, respect, and devotion to her father, and of affection and deep pity for her mother's aberration. She hints to her cautiously and sorrowfully, that she is aware of her fresh dislike to Agamemnon, and that the Court and the public, as well as herself, are acquainted with the cause of it. Beloved mother, What art thou doing? I do not believe And here, perchance, there is no ground for it; O amata madre, Che fai? Non credo io, no, che ardente fiamma How can I more persuasively adjure thee? Clytemnestra is moved; she weeps, she accuses herself, and she likewise accuses the blood of Leda which runs through her veins; and the momentary flash of truth which passes across her mind, whilst it fails to convince her, fills her with terror. At the beginning of the second act Ægisthus and Clytemnestra dispute upon the steps most expedient to be taken. The ships of Agamemnon now enter the port. He lands and advances towards the palace, upon which Ægisthus proposes to make his escape; but Clytemnestra, mad with love, will listen to no advice, nor see any danger. If prudence bids her hasten the Oggi indegna non son; che più? Ten priego Arretra il piè dal precipizio orrendo. flight of her lover, it is her part, she says, to fly with him, like Helen. Ægisthus, who beseeches her to suffer him to depart, endeavours, by the apprehension of his absence, to add fuel to her love and jealousy. He, in fact, wishes to be prevented from going, and Clytemnestra begs him to remain a single day, exacting an oath from him that he will not quit the walls of Argos before the ensuing dawn. He consents, and Electra appearing, begs her mother to fly to the king. Clytemnestra, instead of answering her daughter, solemnly requests Ægisthus to repeat his oath; and this appeal, which she again makes at the end of the scene, after Electra has manifested her aversion for Ægisthus, and the dread with which his stay inspires her, fully displays all Clytemnestra's passion, and makes the spectators shudder. Ægisthus, being left alone, rejoices that his victims have at length fallen into his snares, and again promises the shade of Thyestes to avenge upon Agamemnon and his children the execrable repast of Atreus. He at length retires on beholding the approach of Agamemnon, accompanied by Electra and Clytemnestra, and surrounded by the soldiers and the people. Alfieri has skilfully delineated in Agamemnon the tender feelings of a good king returning to his people, of a patriot restored to his country, and of a kind father again embracing his family: |