Collected Works (Vol. III)

LIBER TERTIUS VEL LABORIS 195 TISIPHONE, Dost thou think we fear Who are all fear? or feel, who are but pain? MEG-ERA. Creep round his heart, and cluster in his brain, Ye serpents of my hair ! ALECTO. His blood shall drip For sweet warm juice on my decaying lip. ‘TISIPHONE. My fearful wings enfold him ! ALECTO. My foul eyes Hold his in terror ! MEGAERA, All my agonies Crawl in his vitals! TISIPHONE, He is mine, mine, mine! Pour forth of Thebes’ abominable wine ! Mine, O thou god, detested and adored ! MEGA:RA. Mine! he is mine! my lover and my lord ! ALECTO. Mine! Iam in his shape! MEG-ERA. Despair! Dispute Never my passion ! TISIPHONE. Sisters ! I am the livid agony that starts Damp on his brow ; the horror in his heart’s Envenomed arteries! and I the fear, The torment, and the hate! Be ye mute ! MEGARA, Be of good cheer! Rend him apart! Hunger and lust we sate, Equal in terror on that heart of hate. ALECTO. Hell’s throne be kingless ! TISIPHONE. Mortal ! is it well, Our vengeance on the impious lord of Hell! ORPHEUS. Well ! it is well! And yet my eyes are wet To see such anguish. MEGAERA. Tear the fatal net ! ALECTO. Bite with strong acid his congealing blood ! TISIPHONE. Rend out the bowels ! MEGAERA., Pour the monstrous flood Of unclean wisdom in his soul ! PERSEPHONE. Desist ! ALECTO. O face of woman wretched and unkissed, What hast thou here to do with us? TISIPHONE. -Be quiet ! MEGAERa. Quench not the fire of murder! ALECTO. Loose the riot Of worms beneath the skull !