As quickly as we may, let us pass in.

[Exeunt ORESTES, PYLADES and Guardian.

ELECTRA.

O King Apollo, hear them graciously,

And me as well; me, who have come to thee

Right often, with persistent hand, that gave

Of all I had; so now with all I have,

Apollo, King Lycean, I implore,

I supplicate, I pray thee —go before,

And help us to our ends; and make mankind confess

How the Gods quit them, for their wickedness!

[Retires.

CHORUS.

1.

Behold where Ares, breathing forth the breath

Of strife and carnage, paces —paces on.

The inevitable hounds of death,

Hunters upon the track of guilt, are gone.

They stand the roof beneath;

And now not long the vision of my prayer

Shall tarry, floating in the fields of air.

2.

For now within these walls, with stealthy pace,

The aider of the kingdoms of the dead

To his ancestral dwelling-place,

Bearing keen slaughter in his hands, is led.

Hermes, of Maia’s race,

Hiding his toils in darkness, leads the way

Straight to the goal, and makes no more delay.

ELECTRA (advancing).

O dearest women, ’tis the moment, now,

For them to do the deed; but hush, keep still.

I LADY.

HOW then? What are they doing?

ELECTRA.

She is dressing

The urn for burial; and the Pair stand by.

I LADY.

And what did you rush out for?

ELECTRA.

To take care

Ægisthus come not in without our knowing.

CLTÆEMNESTRA (within).

Woe’s me! Alack, the house —

Empty of friends, and filled with murderers!

ELECTRA.

A cry within! O friends, do not you hear it?

I LADY.

I heard, unhappy, sounds I might not hear;

And I am chill with horror.

CLYTÆMMNESTRA (within). Woe is me!

Ægisthus, O where are you?

I LADY.

Hark again,

Some one is shrieking loud.

CLYTÆMNESTRA (within). O child, my child,

Have mercy on your mother!

ELECTRA.

Thou hadst none

On him, or on his father who begat him.

CHORUS.

O city, O race ill-starred!

The curse is ever on thee, day by day,

To fade, and fade!

CLYTÆMNESTRA (within). O, I am smitten!

ELECTRA.

If thou beest a man,

Strike twice!

CLYTÆMNESTRA (within). Again!

ELECTRA.

O for Ægisthus too!

CHORUS.

The curse is fulfilled.

They live, who lie in the grave.

Slain long since, they drink, at last,

The blood of their slayers, in turn.

I LADY.

See, they come forth! Their fingers drip with gore

Poured out on Ares’ altar. I am dumb.

Enter ORESTES and PYLADES.

ELECTRA.

How is it with you, Orestes?

ORESTES.

In the house

Well; if Apollo’s oracle be well.

ELECTRA.

Is the wretch dead?

ORESTES.

NO longer be afraid

Thy mother’s pride shall trample on thee more.

I LADY.

Cease, for I see Ægisthus full in view!

ELECTRA.

Back, boys!

ORESTES.

Where do you see the man?

ELECTRA.

He comes

Towards us from the precincts, gay at heart.

CHORUS.

Make for the entrance, quick!

Now, as ye have well achieved the former task,

Finish this too!

ORESTES.