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Their difference of sentiment leads to an altercation between the two sisters, during which Chrysothemis informs Electra that Aegisthus, now absent in the country, has determined to adopt the most severe measures with her, whom, however, she sets at defiance.
Thou seest before thee a man who has risen early, bathed, feasted, possessed Chrysothemis, written satires, and even at times interwoven prose with verses, but who has been as wearied as Cæsar, and often unable to unfetter himself from gloomy thoughts. And dost thou know why that was so? It was because I sought at a distance that which was near.
When Sophocles repeats himself the Electra is but a feeble study for the Antigone, or possibly a feeble copy of it we get near the man; the limitations of his outlook are characteristic: when he deforms his Ajax with a tag of political partisanship, his servitude to surroundings defines his conscience as an artist; and when painting by contrasts he poses the weak Ismene and Chrysothemis as foils to their heroic sisters, we see that his dramatic power in the essential was rudimentary.
Should she begin to flirt with thee, and write letters on the table with her fingers steeped in wine, know that I shall not be jealous." And he gave command to bear them both to Chrysothemis. But in the entrance Petronius put his hand on Vinicius's shoulder, and said, "Wait; it seems to me that I have discovered a plan." "May all the gods reward thee!" "I have it!
In the course of a few days he saw Seneca, Domitius Afer, Crispinilla, and Diodorus, through whom he wished to reach Poppæa; he saw Terpnos, and the beautiful Pythagoras, and finally Aliturus and Paris, to whom Cæsar usually refused nothing. With the help of Chrysothemis, then mistress of Vatinius, he tried to gain even his aid, not sparing in this case and in others promises and money.
But in the midst of their lamentations came Chrysothemis in great joy, saying, "O my sister, I bring thee good tidings that will give thee ease from thy sorrows!" "What ease, when they are past all remedy?" "Orestes is here. Know this as surely as thou now seest me before thee." "Surely thou art mad, and laughest at thy woes and mine." "Not so. By the hearth of my fathers I swear it.
He slept all the day following his visit to Chrysothemis, it is true; but in the evening he gave command to bear him to the Palatine, where he had a confidential conversation with Nero; in consequence of this, on the third day a centurion, at the head of some tens of pretorian soldiers, appeared before the house of Plautius. The period was uncertain and terrible.
But still Rome envied him that Chrysothemis. Then he recalled Poppæa; and that most famous Poppæa also seemed to him soulless, a waxen mask. In that maiden with Tanagrian outlines there was not only spring, but a radiant soul, which shone through her rosy body as a flame through a lamp. "Vinicius is right," thought he, "and my Chrysothemis is old, old! as Troy!"
And do thou pray to our father that he will help us even where he dwelleth below the earth, and also that Orestes may come speedily, and set his foot upon the necks of them that hate us." This Chrysothemis promised that she would do, and so departed.
Disquieted and conscience-stricken, she now sends Chrysothemis with libations to appease the manes of the dead. Electra adjures Chrysothemis not to render such expiations to scatter them to the winds or on the dust to let them not approach the resting-place of the murdered king. Chrysothemis promises to obey the injunction, and departs.
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