SUBJECT OF THE DRAMA,

TRANSLATED FROM THE GREEK SCHOLIAST.

AGAMEMNON, on his departure for Troy, promised Clytemnestra, that, if he took the city, he would signify the event to her by a fire-signal. Clytemnestra, therefore, stationed a sentinel, hired for the purpose, who should be on the watch for the signal. On beholding it, he proclaims the intelligence. She sends for a number of the elders of the city, who compose the chorus, and informs them of the appearance of the signal. They immediately sing a triumphal hymn. Not long after Talthybius (the herald) arrives, and relates what had befallen the Greeks during the voyage. Soon after Agamemnon appears in a chariot: another chariot follows him, bearing the spoils and (the captive) Cassandra. He enters his mansion with

Clytemnestra. Cassandra, before she enters the palace, breaks forth into prophetic strains, predictive of her own death, of that of Agamemnon, and of the murder of his mother by Orestes. She then rushes forward, like one about to die, casting away her prophetic fillets. This portion of the drama. is greatly admired, as highly calculated to awaken terror and pity. Eschylus is peculiar in this respect that he has represented Agamemnon as slain on the scene.* He does not particularise the murder of Cassandra, but alludes to her as dead. He introduces Ægysthus and Clytemnestra summarily defending themselves concerning the murder; the one, on account of the sacrifice of Iphigenia, the other, on account of the miseries brought upon his father, Thyestes, by Atreus.

*Stanley conjectures the original reading was, under or behind the scene.

PERSONS OF THE DRAMA.

WATCHMAN.

AGAMEMNON.

CLYTEMNESTRA, his Wife.

CASSANDRA, Daughter of Priam.

HERALD.

EGYSTHUS, first Cousin of Agamemnon, and Paramour

of Clytemnestra.

CHORUS of Old Men.