The tragedy of Orestes, vvritten by Thomas Goffe Master of Arts, and student of Christs Church in Oxford: and acted by the students of the same house

SCEN. II.

Enter Elect. and Stroph.

Elect.

THus neuer lesse alone, then when alone, Where to ourselues we sweetly tell our woes, Thou Vncle, cheife companion to our griefes, And sole partaker of our miseries, Why doe we liue, when now 'tis come to passe, It is scarce knowne that Agamemnon was, He dies far easier, who at first doth drowne, Then he which long doth swim, and then sinks down.

Stroph.

Nay Neece, me thinks I now doe see the Hauen. Where my ag'de soule, must leaue this tossed barke, Made weak with yeeres and woes, yet I commend Vnto my Son the heart of a true friend, That's all the will I leaue, and let him know Friendship should euer be, but most in woe.

And so I leaue thee Neece, I first must die, To haste a periode to this Tragedy.

He dies.

Elect.

O enuious Fates could you not vse me thus? Haue not I griefe inough to burst my heart? Was my life's thred twisted and knit so strong? That the keen edge of all these miseries Can neuer cut it off; Must I beare more? 'Tis all my safety now not to be safe, Are there so many wayes to rid ones life? And can I hit on none? they say that death Is euery where, and yet I finde him not: Tush, but I seeke him not, why my owne hand Might graspe him to me, if I did but striue. Now hand helpe ease my heart, and make a way

Stabs her selfe

To let out griefe, that hath so long dwelt here, Now knife tha'st don good seruice, there lie by, Heauen well decreed it, nothing life can giue, But euery thing can make vs not liue.