AEGISTHUS

¶(Oh partners of my perils all, begotten of Leda thou) Direct thy doings a ter mine, and unto thee I vow, This drosell, fluggysh ryngleader, this stout strong har ed ire, Shall pay the so much blo worser again as shed he hath in fire. How haps it that his tre ̄ bling cheeks to be so pale and uvhyght, Lying aghast, as in a trance, with fainting face upright? ¶Why whither wilt thou gad (oh rash and unadvised dame?) What dost thou earnestly believe, and fyrmly trust the same, That Agamemnon's spousal bed will loyal be to thee, That nought does underprop thy mind which might thy terror be? His proud success pufte up to high with h lucky blast of wind, Might make so crank, and set aloft his haughty swelling mind: Among his pears he stately was, er Trojan turrets torn, How hynk you then his stomach stout by nature given to scorn, In haughtynes agmented is more in him self to joy, Through this triumphant victory and conquest God of Troy? Before his voyage miceane King most myl lie did he reign, But now a Tyrant truculent returned he is again. Good luck and proud prosperytie do make his heart so rise. With what great preparation prepared solemn wise, A rabblement of strumpets come that clonge about him all? But yet the prophetess of Phaebe, (whom God of truth we call) Appears above the rest: she keeps the King, she does him guide: Will thou in wedlock have a mate and not for it provide? So would not she, the great st grief this is unto a wit, Her husbands minion in her house to lead and open life. A queen's estate can not abide her pear with her to reign, And Jealous wedlock will not her companion sustain. ¶Even so? on this condition thou mayest with him compound, To pardon him, if he again to pardon thee be bound. The subtle science of the law, The statutes of our land, (That long ago decreed were) thou dost not understand. The Judges be malicious men, they spy hte and envy us, But he shall have them partial his causes to dyscns. This is the chiefest pryuiledge that does to kings belong, What laws forbiddeth other men they do, and do no wrong. ¶No Ladies Lust hath rauyshte yet Atrides in his life, Nor privily purloined his heart, betr worser to his wife. To pick a quarrel he begins, and matter thee to blame, Suppose thou nothing hast continued ̄ myt that worthy is of shame? What oteth him whom princes hate and honest life to frame? He never does complain his wrong, but ever bears the blame. Wilt thou repair to Spart, and to thy country trudge aright? Wilt thou become a ronagate, from such a worthy wight? Divorcement made from kings, will not so let the matter escape, Thou easest fear, by fickle hope, that falsely thou dost shape: ¶At princes gates fydelytye yet never enter might. ¶The trust that hired is and bought by bribes and moneys fee, Thy counsel to bewray a gain with bribes entyste will be, ¶Why should you think in that Thyest was father unto me, And Agamemnon Atreus son he should my better be? ¶I am of Phaebus lineage born, whereof I do not shame. Why makste thou Phaebus author of thy wicked pedagrew, Whom out of heaven you forste to fly when bridle back he drew? When lady night with mantel black did spread her sudden shade, Why makest thou the gods till such reproach fullness to wade? Whose father hath thee Cunning made by flight and subtle guile To make thy Kinsman Cuckold, while his wife thou do defile. What man is he whom we do know to be thy father's mate, Abusing Lust of lechery in such unlawful rate? Avant, go pack the hence in would e, dispatch, out of my sight This infamy, whose blemish stains this blood of worthy wight. ¶This is no new exile to me that wickedness do haunt, But if that thou (oh worthy queen) cammaund me to a aunt I will not only Straight avoid the house, the town, and field, My life on sword at thy request I ready am to yield. ¶Thou malipert and with less wench thine elvish pra ing stay, Refrain those words vnfytt thy more the glowing ears to vex.