ELECTRA
Sostandsthycase；yet，ifthouwilthearkentome，thouwiltlightentheloadofourpresenttrouble。
CHRYSOTHEMIS
CanIeverraisethedeadtolife？
ELECTRA
Imeantnotthat；Iamnotsofoolish。
CHRYSOTHEMIS
Whatbiddestthou，then，forwhichmystrengthavails？
ELECTRA
ThatthoubebraveindoingwhatIenjoin。
CHRYSOTHEMIS
Nay，ifanygoodcanbedone，Iwillnotrefuse，ELECTRA
Remember，nothingsucceedswithouttoil。
CHRYSOTHEMIS
Iknowit，andwillsharethyburdenwithallmypower。
ELECTRA
Hear，then，howIamresolvedtoact。Asforthesupportoffriends，thouthyselfmustknowthatwehavenone；Hadeshathtakenourfriendsaway。andwetwoareleftalone。I，solongasIheardthatmybrotherstilllivedandprospered，hadhopesthathewouldyetcometoavengethemurderofoursire。Butnowthatheisnomore，I
looknexttothee，nottoflinchfromaidingmethysistertoslayourfather’smurderer，Aegisthus:—Imusthavenosecretfromtheemore。
Howlongartthoutowaitinactive？Whathopeisleftstanding，towhichthineeyescanturn？Thouhasttocomplainthatthouartrobbedofthyfather’sheritage；thouhasttomournthatthusfarthylifeisfadingwithoutnuptialsongorweddedlove。Nay，anddonothopethatsuchjoyswilleverbethine；Aegisthusisnotsoill—advisedasevertopermitthatchildrenshouldspringfromtheeormeforhisownsuredestruction。Butifthouwiltfollowmycounsels，firstthouwiltwinpraiseofpietyfromourdeadsirebelow，andfromourbrothertoo；next，thoushaltbecalledfreehenceforth，asthouwertborn，andshaltfindworthybridals；fornoblenaturesdrawthegazeofall。
Thenseestthounotwhatfairfamethouwiltwinforthyselfandforme，byhearkeningtomyword？Whatcitizenorstranger，whenheseesus，willnotgreetuswithpraisessuchasthese？—’Beholdthesetwosisters，myfriends，whosavedtheirfather’shouse；who，whentheirfoeswerefirmlyplantedofyore，tooktheirlivesintheirhandsandstoodforthasavengersofblood！Worthyoflovearethesetwain，worthyofreverencefromall；atfestivals，andwhereverthefolkareassembled，letthesebehonouredofallmenfortheirprowess。’Thuswilleveryonespeakofus，sothatinlifeandindeathourgloryshallnotfail。
Come，dearsister，hearken！Workwiththysire，sharetheburdenofthybrother，winrestfromwoesformeandforthyself，—mindfulofthis，thatanignoblelifebringsshameuponthenoble。
LEADEROFTHECHORUS
Insuchcaseasthis，forethoughtishelpfulforthosewhospeakandthosewhohear。
CHRYSOTHEMIS
Yea，andbeforeshespake，myfriends，weresheblestwithasoundmind，shewouldhaverememberedcaution，asshedothnotrememberit。
Nowwhithercanstthouhaveturnedthineeyes，thatthouartarmingthyselfwithsuchrashness，andcallingmetoaidthee？Seestthounot，thouartawoman，notaman，andnomatchforthineadversariesinstrength？Andtheirfortuneprospersdaybyday，whileoursisebbingandcomingtonought。Who，then，plottingtovanquishafoesostrong，shallescapewithoutsufferingdeadlyscathe？Seethatwechangenotourevilplighttoworse，ifanyonehearsthesewords。Itbringsusnorelieforbenefit，if，afterwinningfairfame，wedieanignominiousdeath；formeredeathisnotthebitterest，butratherwhenonewhowantstodiecannotobtaineventhatboon。
Nay，Ibeseechthee，beforeweareutterlydestroyed，andleaveourhousedesolate，restrainthyrage！Iwilltakecarethatthywordsremainsecretandharmless；andlearnthoutheprudence，atlastthoughlate，ofyielding，whensohelpless，tothyrulers。
LEADER
Hearken；thereisnobettergainformortalstowinthanforesightandaprudentmind。
ELECTRA
Thouhastsaidnothingunlooked—for；IwellknewthatthouwouldstrejectwhatIproffered。Well！Imustdothisdeedwithmineownhand，andalone；forassuredlyIwillnotleaveitvoid。
CHRYSOTHEMIS
Alas！Wouldthouhadstbeensopurposedonthedayofourfather’sdeath！Whatmightstthounothavewrought？
ELECTRA
Mynaturewasthesamethen，butmymindlessripe。
CHRYSOTHEMIS
Strivetokeepsuchamindthroughallthylife。
ELECTRA
Thesecounselsmeanthatthouwiltnotsharemydeed。
CHRYSOTHEMIS
No；fortheventureislikelytobringdisaster。
ELECTRA
Iadmirethyprudence；thycowardiceIhate。
CHRYSOTHEMIS
Iwilllistennotlesscalmlywhenthoupraiseme。
ELECTRA
Neverfeartosufferthatfromme。
CHRYSOTHEMIS
Timeenoughinthefuturetodecidethat。
ELECTRA
Begone；thereisnopowertohelpinthee。
CHRYSOTHEMIS
Notso；butinthee，nomindtolearn。
ELECTRA
Go，declareallthistothymother！
CHRYSOTHEMIS
But，again，Idonothatetheewithsuchahate。
ELECTRA
Yetknowatleasttowhatdishonourthoubringestme。
CHRYSOTHEMIS
Dishonour，no！Iamonlythinkingofthygood。
ELECTRA
AmIbound，then，tofollowthyruleofright？
CHRYSOTHEMIS
Whenthouartwise，thenthoushaltbeourguide。
ELECTRA
Sad，thatonewhospeakssowellshouldspeakamiss！
CHRYSOTHEMIS
Thouhastwelldescribedthefaulttowhichthoucleavest。
ELECTRA
How？DostthounotthinkthatIspeakwithjustice？
CHRYSOTHEMIS
Butsometimesjusticeitselfisfraughtwithharm。
ELECTRA
Icarenottolivebysuchalaw。
CHRYSOTHEMIS
Well，ifthoumustdothis，thouwiltpraisemeyet。
ELECTRA
AnddoitIwill，nowhitdismayedbythee。
CHRYSOTHEMIS
Isthissoindeed？Wiltthounotchangethycounsels？
ELECTRA
No，fornothingismorehatefulthanbadcounsel。
CHRYSOTHEMIS
ThouseemesttoagreewithnothingthatIurge。
ELECTRA
Myresolveisnotnew，butlongsincefixed。
CHRYSOTHEMIS
ThenIwillgo；thoucanstnotbebroughttoapprovemywords，nortocommendthyconduct。
ELECTRA
Nay，gowithin；neverwillIfollowthee，howevermuchthoumaystdesireit；itweregreatfollyeventoattemptanidlequest。
CHRYSOTHEMIS
Nay，ifthouartwiseinthineowneyes，besuchwisdomthine；
byandby，whenthoustandestinevilplight，thouwiltpraisemywords。
（CHRYSOTHEMISgoesintothepalace。）
CHORUS（singing）
strophe1
Whenweseethebirdsoftheair，withsureinstinct，carefultonourishthosewhogivethemlifeandnurture，whydonotwepaythesedebtsinlikemeasure？Nay，bythelightning—flashofZeus，byThemisthronedinheaven，itisnotlongtillsinbringssorrow。
Voicethatcomesttothedeadbeneaththeearth，sendapiteouscry，Ipraythee，tothesonofAtreusinthatworld，ajoylessmessageofdishonour；
antistrophe1
tellhimthatthefortunesofhishousearenowdistempered；
while，amonghischildren，strifeofsisterwithsisterhathbrokentheharmonyoflovingdays。Electra，forsaken，bravesthestormalone；
shebewailsalway，haplessone，herfather’sfate，likethenightingaleunweariedinlament；sherecksnotofdeath，butisreadytoleavethesunlight，couldshebutquellthetwoFuriesofherhouse。Whoshallmatchsuchnoblechildofnoblesire？
strophe2
Nogeneroussouldeigns，byabaselife，tocloudafairrepute，andleaveanameinglorious；asthou，too，Omydaughter，hastchosentomournallthydayswiththosethatmourn，andhastspurneddishonour，thatthoumightestwinatonceatwofoldpraise，aswise，andasthebestofdaughters。
antistrophe2
MayIyetseethyliferaisedinmightandwealthabovethyfoes，evenasnowitishumbledbeneaththeirhand！ForIhavefoundtheeinnoprosperousestate；andyet，forobservanceofnature’shighestlaws，winningthenoblestrenown，bythypietytowardsZeus。
（ORESTESenters，withPYLADES
andtwoattendants，oneofthemcarryingafuneralurn。）
ORESTES
Ladies，havewebeendirectedaright，andareweontherightpathtoourgoal？
LEADEROFTHECHORUS
Andwhatseekestthou？Withwhatdesirehastthoucome？
ORESTES
IhavebeensearchingforthehomeofAegisthus。
LEADER
Well，thouhastfoundit；andthyguideisblameless。
ORESTES
Whichofyou，then，willtellthosewithinthatourcompany，longdesired，hatharrived？
LEADER
Thismaiden，—ifthenearestshouldannounceit。
ORESTES
Ipraythee，mistress，makeitknowninthehousethatcertainmenofPhocisseekAegisthus。
ELECTRA
Ah，woeisme！Surelyyearenotbringingthevisibleproofsofthatrumourwhichweheard？
ORESTES
Iknownothingofthy’rumour’；buttheagedStrophiuschargedmewithtidingsofOrestes。
ELECTRA
Whatarethey，sir？Ah，howIthrillwithfear！
ORESTES
Heisdead；andinasmallurn，asthouseest，webringthescantyrelicshome。
ELECTRA
Ahmeunhappy！There，atlast，beforemineeyes，IseethatwofulburdeninyourhandsORESTES
IfthytearsareforaughtwhichOresteshathsuffered，knowthatyondervesselholdshisdust。
ELECTRA
Ah，sir，allowme，then，Iimplorethee，ifthisurnindeedcontainshim，totakeitinmyhands，—thatImayweepandwail，notfortheseashesalone，butformyselfandforallourhousetherewith！
ORESTES（totheattendants）
Bringitandgiveither，whoe’ershebe；forshewhobegsthisboonmustbeonewhowishedhimnoevil，butafriend，orhaplyakinswomaninblood。
（TheurnisplacedinELECTRA’Shands。）
ELECTRA
Ah，memorialofhimwhomIlovedbestonearth！Ah，Orestes，whoselifehathnorelicleftsavethis，—howfarfromthehopeswithwhichIsenttheeforthisthemannerinwhichIreceivetheeback！
NowIcarrythypoordustinmyhands；butthouwertradiant，mychild，whenIspedtheforthfromhome！WouldthatIhadyieldedupmybreath，ere，withthesehands，Istoletheeaway，andsenttheetoastrangeland，andrescuedthefromdeath；thatsothoumightesthavebeenstrickendownonthatself—sameday，andhadthyportioninthetombofthysire！
Butnow，anexilefromhomeandfatherland，thouhastperishedmiserably，farfromthysister；woeisme，theselovinghandshavenotwashedordeckedthycorpse，nortakenup，aswasmeet，theirsadburdenfromtheflamingpyre。No！atthehandsofstrangers，haplessone，thouhasthadthoserites，andsoartcometous，alittledustinanarrowurn。
Ah，woeismeformynursinglongago，sovain，thatIoftbestowedontheewithlovingtoilIForthouwastneverthymother’sdarlingsomuchasmine；norwasanyinthehousethynursebutI；andbytheeIwasevercalled’sister。’Butnowallthishathvanishedinaday，withthydeath；likeawhirlwind，thouhastsweptallawaywiththee。Ourfatherisgone；Iamdeadinregardtothee；thouthyselfhastperished:ourfoesexult；thatmother，whoisnone，ismadwithjoy，—sheofwhomthoudidstoftsendmesecretmessages，thyheralds，sayingthatthouthyselfwouldstappearasanavenger。Butourevilfortune。thineandmine，hathreftallthataway，andhathsenttheeforthuntomethus，—nomoretheformthatIlovedsowell，butashesandanidleshade。
Ahme，ahme！Opiteousdust！Alas，thoudearone，sentonadirejourney，howhastundoneme，—undonemeindeed，Obrothermine！
Thereforetakemetothisthyhome，mewhoamasnothing，tothynothingness，thatImaydwellwiththeehenceforthbelow；forwhenthouwertonearth，wesharedalike；andnowIfainwoulddie，thatImaynotbepartedfromtheeinthegrave。ForIseethatthedeadhaverestfrompain。
LEADER
Bethinkthee，Electra，thouartthechildofmortalsire，andmortalwasOrestes；thereforegrievenottoomuch。Thisisadebtwhichallofusmustpay。
ORESTES
Alas，whatshallIsay？Whatwordscanservemeatthispass？I
canrestrainmylipsnolonger！
ELECTRA
Whathathtroubledthee？Whydidstthousaythat？
ORESTES
IsthistheformoftheillustriousElectrathatIbehold？
ELECTRA
Itis；andverygrievousisherplight。
ORESTES
Alas，then，forthismiserablefortune！
ELECTRA
Surely，sir，thylamentisnotforme？
ORESTES
Oformcruelly，godlesslymisused！
ELECTRA
Thoseill—omenedwords，sir，fitnoonebetterthanme。
ORESTES
Alasforthylife，unweddedandallunblest！
ELECTRA
Whythissteadfastgaze，stranger，andtheselaments？
ORESTES
HowignorantwasI，then，ofmineownsorrows！
ELECTRA
Bywhatthathathbeensaidhastthouperceivedthis？
ORESTES
Byseeingthysufferings，somanyandsogreat。
ELECTRA
Andyetthouseestbutafewofmywoes。
ORESTES
Couldanybemorepainfultobehold？
ELECTRA
This，thatIsharethedwellingofthemurderers。
ORESTES
Whosemurderers？Whereliestheguiltatwhichthouhintest？
ELECTRA
Myfather’s；—andthenIamtheirslaveperforce。
ORESTES
Whoisitthatsubjectstheetothisconstraint？
ELECTRA
Amother—inname，butnomotherinherdeeds。
ORESTES
Howdothsheoppressthee？Withviolenceorwithhardship？
ELECTRA
Withviolence，andhardships，andallmannerofill。
ORESTES
Andistherenonetosuccour，ortohinder？
ELECTRA
None。Ihadone；andthouhastshownmehisashes。
ORESTES
Haplessgirl，howthissighthathstirredmypity！
ELECTRA
Know，then，thatthouartthefirstwhoeverpitiedme。
ORESTES
Noothervisitorhatheversharedthypain。
ELECTRA
Surelythouartnotsomeunknownkinsman？
ORESTES
Iwouldanswer，ifthesewerefriendswhohearus。
ELECTRA
Oh，theyarefriends；thoucanstspeakwithoutmistrust。
ORESTES
Giveupthisurn，then，andthoushaltbetoldall。
ELECTRA
Nay，Ibeseechtheebenotsocrueltome，sir！
ORESTES
DoasIsay，andneverfeartodoamiss。
ELECTRA
Iconjurethee，robmenotofmychieftreasure！
ORESTES
Thoumustnotkeepit。
ELECTRA
Ahwoeismeforthee，Orestes，ifIamnottogivetheeburialORESTES
Hush！—nosuchword！—Thouhastnorighttolament。
ELECTRA
Norighttolamentformydeadbrother？
ORESTES
Itisnotmeetfortheetospeakofhimthus。
ELECTRA
AmIsodishonouredofthedead？
ORESTES
Dishonouredofnone:—butthisisnotthypart。
ELECTRA
Yes，ifthesearetheashesofOrestesthatIhold。
ORESTES
Theyarenot；afictiondothedthemwithhisname。
（Hegentlytakestheurnfromher。）
ELECTRA
Andwhereisthatunhappyone’stomb？
ORESTES
Thereisnone；thelivinghavenotomb。
ELECTRA
Whatsayestthou，boy？
ORESTES
Nothingthatisnottrue。
ELECTRA
Themanisalive？
ORESTES
Iftherebelifeinme。
ELECTRA
What？Artthouhe？
ORESTES
Lookatthissignet，onceourfather’s，andjudgeifIspeaktruth。
ELECTRA
Oblissfulday！
ORESTES
Blissful，inverydeed！
ELECTRA
Isthisthyvoice？
ORESTES
Letnoothervoicereply。
ELECTRA
DoIholdtheeinmyarms？
ORESTES
Asmayestthouholdmealways！
ELECTRA
Ah，dearfriendsandfellow—citizens，beholdOresteshere，whowasfeigneddead，andnow，bythatfeigninghathcomesafelyhome！
LEADER
Weseehim，daughter；andforthishappyfortuneatearofjoytricklesfromoureyes。
（ThefollowinglinesbetweenORESTES
andELECTRAarechantedresponsively。）
ELECTRA
stropheOffspringofhimwhomIlovedbest，thouhastcomeevennow，thouhastcome，andfoundandseenherwhomthyheartdesired！
ORESTES
Iamwiththee；—butkeepsilenceforawhile。
ELECTRA
Whatmeanestthou？
ORESTES
’Tisbettertobesilent，lestsomeonewithinshouldhear。
ELECTRA
Nay，byever—virginArtemis，Iwillneverstooptofearwomen，stay—at—homes，vainburdensoftheground！
ORESTES
Yetrememberthatinwomen，too，dwellsthespiritofbattle；thouhasthadgoodproofofthat，Iween。
ELECTRA
Alas！ahme！Thouhastremindedmeofmysorrow，onewhich，fromitsnature，cannotbeveiled，cannotbedoneawaywith，cannotforget！
ORESTES
Iknowthisalso；butwhenoccasionprompts，thenwillbethemomenttorecallthosedeeds。
ELECTRA
antistropheEachmomentofalltime，asitcomes，wouldbemeetoccasionforthesemyjustcomplaints；scarcelynowhaveIhadmylipssetfree。
ORESTES
Igrantit；thereforeguardthyfreedom。
ELECTRA
WhatmustIdo？
ORESTES
Whentheseasonservesnot，donotwishtospeaktoomuch。
ELECTRA
Nay，whocouldfitlyexchangespeechforsuchsilence，whenthouhastappeared？FornowIhaveseenthyface，beyondallthoughtandhope！
ORESTES
Thousawestit，whenthegodsmovedmetocome……
ELECTRA
Thouhasttoldmeofagraceabovethefirst，ifagodhathindeedbroughttheetoourhouse；Iacknowledgethereintheworkofheaven。
ORESTES
Iamloth，indeed，tocurbthygladness，butyetthisexcessofjoymovesmyfear。
ELECTRA
epodeOthouwho，aftermanyayear，hastdeignedthustogladdenmineeyesbythyreturn，donot，nowthatthouhastseenmeinallmywoe—
ORESTES
Whatisthyprayer？
ELECTRA
—donotrobmeofthecomfortofthyface；donotforcemetoforegoit！
ORESTES
Ishouldbewroth，indeed，ifIsawanotherattemptit。
ELECTRA
Myprayerisgranted？
ORESTES
Canstthoudoubt？
ELECTRA
Ah，friends，IheardavoicethatIcouldneverhavehopedtohear；norcouldIhaverestrainedmyemotioninsilence，andwithoutcry，whenIheardit。
Ahme！ButnowIhavethee；thouartcometomewiththelightofthatdearcountenance，whichnever，eveninsorrow，couldIforget。
（Thechantisconcluded。）
ORESTES
Spareallsuperfluouswords；tellmenotofourmother’swickedness，orhowAegisthusdrainsthewealthofourfather’shousebylavishluxuryoraimlesswaste；forthestorywouldnotsuffertheetokeepduelimit。Tellmeratherthatwhichwillserveourpresentneed，—wherewemustshowourselves，orwaitinambush，thatthisourcomingmayconfoundthetriumphofourfoes。
Andlookthatourmotherreadnotthysecretinthyradiantface，whenwetwainhaveadvancedintothehouse，butmakelament，asforthefeigneddisaster；forwhenwehaveprospered，thentherewillbeleisuretorejoiceandexultinfreedom。
ELECTRA
Nay，brother，asitpleasesthee，soshallbemyconductalso；forallmyjoyisagiftfromthee，andnotmineown。NorwouldI
consenttowingreatgoodformyselfatthecostoftheleastpaintothee；forsoshouldIillservethedivinepowerthatbefriendsusnow。
Butthouknowesthowmattersstandhere，Idoubtnot:thoumusthavebeardthatAegisthusisfromhome，butourmotherwithin；—andfearnotthatshewilleverseemyfacelitupwithsmiles；formineoldhatredofherhathsunkintomyheart；and，sinceIhavebeheldthee，forveryjoyIshallneverceasetoweep。HowindeedshouldI
cease，whohaveseentheecomehomethisday，firstasdead，andtheninlife？Strangelyhastthouwroughtonme；sothat，ifmyfathershouldreturnalive，Ishouldnolongerdoubtmysenses，butshouldbelievethatIsawhim。Now，therefore，thatthouhastcometomesowondrously，commandmeasthouwilt；for，hadIbeenalone，Ishouldhaveachievedoneoftwothings，—anobledeliverance，oranobledeath。
ORESTES
Thouhadstbestbesilent；forIhearsomeonewithinpreparingtogoforth。
ELECTRA（toORESTESandPYLADES）
Enter，sirs；especiallyasyebringthatwhichnoonecouldrepulsefromthesedoors，thoughhereceiveitwithoutjoy。
（ThePAEDAGOGUSentersfromthepalace。）
PAEDAGOGUS
Foolishandsenselesschildren！Areyewearyofyourlives，orwastherenowitborninyou，thatyeseenothowyestand，notonthebrink，butintheverymidstofdeadlyperils？Nay，hadInotkeptwatchthislongwhileatthesedoors，yourplanswouldhavebeeninthehousebeforeyourselves；but，asitis，mycareshieldedyoufromthat。Nowhavedonewiththislongdiscourse，theseinsatiatecriesofjoy，andpasswithin；forinsuchdeedsdelayisevil，and’tiswelltomakeanend。
ORESTES
What，then，willbemyprospectswhenIenter？
PAEDAGOGUS
Good；forthouartsecuredfromrecognition。
ORESTES
Thouhastreportedme，Ipresume，asdead？
PAEDAGOGUS
Knowthatherethouartnumberedwiththeshades。
ORESTES
Dotheyrejoice，then，atthesetidings？Orwhatsaythey？
PAEDAGOGUS
Iwilltelltheeattheend；meanwhile，alliswellforusontheirparty—eventhatwhichisnotwell。
ELECTRA
Whoisthis，brother？Ipraythee，tellme。
ORESTES
Dostthounotperceive？
ELECTRA
Icannotguess。
ORESTES
Knowestthounotthemantowhosehandsthougavestmeonce？
ELECTRA
Whatman？Howsayestthou？
ORESTES
Bywhosehands，throughthyforethought，IwassecretlyconveyedforthtoPhociansoil。
ELECTRA
Isthisheinwhom，aloneofmany，Ifoundatrueallyofold，whenoursirewasslain？
ORESTES
’Tishe；questionmenofurther。
ELECTRA
Ojoyousday！OsolepreserverofAgamemnon’shouse，howhastthoucome？Artthouheindeed，whodidstsavemybrotherandmyselffrommanysorrows？Odearesthands；Omessengerwhosefeetwerekindlyservants！Howcouldstthoubewithmesolong，andremainunknown，norgivearayoflight，butafflictmebyfables，whilepossessedoftruthsmostsweet？Hail，father，—for’tisafatherthatIseemtobehold！Allhail，—andknowthatIhavehatedthee，andlovedthee，inoneday，asnevermanbefore！
PAEDAGOGUS
Enough，methinks；asforthestoryofthepast，manyarethecirclingnights，anddaysasmany，whichshallshowitthee，Electra，initsfulness。（ToORESTESandPYLADES）Butthisismycounseltoyoutwain，whostandthere—nowisthetimetoact；nowClytemnestraisalone，—nomanisnowwithin:but，ifyepause，considerthatyewillhavetofight，notwiththeinmatesalone，butwithotherfoesmorenumerousandbetterskilled。
ORESTES
Pylades，thisourtaskseemsnolongertocravemanywords，butratherthatweshouldenterthehouseforthwith，—firstadoringtheshrinesofmyfather’sgods，whokeepthesegates。
（ORESTESandPYLADESenterthePalace，followedbythePAEDAGOGUS。—ELECTRAremainsoutside。）
ELECTRA
OKingApollo！graciouslyhearthem，andhearmebesides，whosoofthavecomebeforethinealtarwithsuchgiftsasmydevouthandcouldbring！Andnow，OLyceanApollo，withsuchvowsasIcanmake，I
praythee，Isupplicate，Iimplore，grantusthybenignantaidinthesedesigns，andshowmenhowimpietyisrewardedbythegods！
（ELECTRAentersthepalace。）
CHORUS（singing）
BeholdhowAresmovesonward，breathingdeadlyvengeance，againstwhichnonemaystrive！
Evennowthepursuersofdarkguilthavepassedbeneathyonroof，thehoundswhichnonemayflee。Thereforethevisionofmysoulshallnotlongtarryinsuspense。
Thechampionofthespiritsinfernalisusheredwithstealthyfeetintothehouse，theancestralpalaceofhissire，bearingkeen—edgeddeathinhishands；andHermes，sonofMaia，whohathshroudedtheguileindarkness，leadshimforward，eventotheend，anddelaysnomore。
（ELECTRAentersfromthepalace。）
ELECTRA
stropheAh，dearestfriends，inamomentthemenwilldothedeed；—butwaitinsilence。
CHORUS
Howisit？—whatdotheynow？
ELECTRA
Sheisdeckingtheurnforburial，andthosetwostandclosetoherCHORUS
Andwhyhastthouspedforth？
ELECTRA
ToguardagainstAegisthusenteringbeforeweareaware。
CLYTEMNESTRA（within）
Alas！Woeforthehouseforsakenoffriendsandfilledwithmurderers！
ELECTRA
Acrygoesupwithin:—hearyenot，friends？
CHORUS
Iheard，ahme，soundsdiretohear，andshuddered！
CLYTEMNESTRA（within）
OhaplessthatIam！—Aegisthus，where，whereartthou？
ELECTRA
Hark，oncemoreavoiceresoundsI
CLYTEMNESTRA（within）
Myson，myson，havepityonthymother！
ELECTRA
Thouhadstnoneforhim，norforthefatherthatbegathim。
CHORUS
Ill—fatedrealmandrace，nowthefatethathathpursuedtheedaybydayisdying，—isdying！
CLYTEMNESTRA（within）
Oh，Iamsmitten！
ELECTRA
Smite，ifthoucanst，oncemore！
CLYTEMNESTRA（within）
Ah，woeismeagain！
ELECTRA
WouldthatthewoewereforAegisthustoo！
CHORUS
Thecursesareatwork；theburiedlive；bloodflowsforblood，drainedfromtheslayersbythosewhodiedofyore。
（ORESTESandPYLADESenterfromthepalace。）
antistropheBehold，theycome！ThatredhandreekswithsacrificetoAres；norcanIblamethedeed。
ELECTRA
Orestes，howfareye？
ORESTES
Alliswellwithinthehouse，ifApollo’soraclespakewell。
ELECTRA
Theguiltyoneisdead？
ORESTES
Fearnomorethatthyproudmotherwilleverputtheetodishonour。
CHORUS
Cease；forIseeAegisthusfullinview。
ELECTRA
Rashboys，back，back！
ORESTES
Whereseeyetheman？
ELECTRA
Yonder，atourmercy，beadvancesfromthesuburb，fullofjoy。
CHORUS
Makewithallspeedforthevestibule；that，asyourfirsttaskprospered。sothisagainmayprospernow。
ORESTES
Fearnot，—wewillperformit。
ELECTRA
Haste，then，whitherthouwouldst。
ORESTES
See，Iamgone。
ELECTRA
Iwilllooktomattershere。
（ORESTESandPYLADESgobackintothepalace。）
CHORUS
’Twerewelltosoothehisearwithsomefewwordsofseeminggentleness，thathemayrushblindlyuponthestrugglewithhisdoom。
（AEGISTHUSenters。）
AEGISTHUS
Whichofyoucantellme，wherearethosePhocianstrangers，who，’tissaid，havebroughtustidingsofOrestesslaininthewreckofhischariot？Thee，theeIask，yes，thee，informerdayssobold，—formethinksittouchestheemostnearly；thoubestmustknow，andbestcansttell。
ELECTRA
Iknowassuredly；elsewereIastrangertothefortuneofmynearestkinsfolk。
AEGISTHUS
Wherethenmaybethestrangers？Tellme。
ELECTRA
Within；theyhavefoundawaytotheheartoftheirhostess。
AEGISTHUS
Havetheyintruthreportedhimdead？
ELECTRA
Nay，notreportedonly；theyhaveshownhim。
AEGISTHUS
CanI，then，seethecorpsewithmineowneyes？
ELECTRA
Thoucanst，indeed；and’tisnoenviablesight。
AEGISTHUS
Indeed，thouhastgivenmeajoyfulgreeting，beyondthywont。
ELECTRA
Joybethine，ifinthesethingsthoufindestjoy。
AEGISTHUS
Silence，Isay，andthrowwidethegates，forallMycenaeansandArgivestobehold；that，ifanyofthemwereoncebuoyedonemptyhopesfromthisman，now，seeinghimdead，theymayreceivemycurb，insteadofwaitingtillmychastisementmakethemwiseperforce！
ELECTRA
Noloyaltyislackingonmypart；timehathtaughtmetheprudenceofconcordwiththestronger。
（Thecentraldoorsofthepalacearethrownopenandashroudedcorpseisdisclosed。ORESTESandPYLADESstandnearit。）
AEGISTHUS
OZeus，IbeholdthatwhichhathnotfallensavebythedoomofjealousHeaven；but，ifNemesisattendthatword，beitunsaid！
Takeallthecoveringfromtheface，thatkinship，atleast，mayreceivethetributeoflamentfrommealso。
ORESTES
Lifttheveilthyself；notmypartthis，butthine，tolookupontheserelics，andtogreetthemkindly。
AEGISTHUS
’Tisgoodcounsel，andIwillfollowit。—（ToELECTRA）Butthou—callmeClytemnestra，ifsheiswithin。
ORESTES
Lo，sheisnearthee:turnnotthineeyeselsewhere。
（AEGISTHUSremovestheface—clothfromthecorpse。）
AEGISTHUS
O，whatsightisthis！
ORESTES
Whysoscared？Isthefacesostrange？
AEGISTHUS
WhoarethemenintowhosemidtoilsIhavefallen，haplessthatI
am？
ORESTES
Nay，hastthounotdiscoverederenowthatthedead，asthoumiscallestthem，areliving？
AEGISTHUS
Alas，Ireadtheriddle:thiscanbenonebutOresteswhospeakstome！
ORESTES
And，thoughsogoodaprophet，thouwastdeceivedsolong？
AEGISTHUS
Ohlost，undone！Yetsuffermetosayoneword……
ELECTRA
Inheaven’sname，mybrother，sufferhimnottospeakfurther，ortopleadatlength！Whenmortalsareinthemeshesoffate，howcansuchrespiteavailonewhoistodie？No，—slayhimforthwith，andcasthiscorpsetothecreaturesfromwhomsuchasheshouldhaveburial，farfromoursight！Tome，nothingbutthiscanmakeamendsforthewoesofthepast。
ORESTES（toAEGISTHUS）
Goin，andquickly；theissuehereisnotofwords，butofthylife。
AEGISTHUS
Whytakemeintothehouse？Ifthisdeedbefair，whatneedofdarkness？Whyisthyhandnotprompttostrike？
ORESTES
Dictatenot，butgowherethoudidstslaymyfather，thatinthesameplacethoumayestdie。
AEGISTHUS
IsthisdwellingdoomedtoseeallwoesofPelops’line，now，andintimetocome？
ORESTES
Thine，atleast；trustmypropheticskillsofar。
AEGISTHUS
Theskillthouvauntestbelongednottothysire。
ORESTES
Thoubandiestwords，andourgoingisdelayed。Moveforward！
AEGISTHUS
Leadthou。
ORESTES
Thoumustgofirst。
AEGISTHUS
LestIescapethee？
ORESTES
No，butthatthoumayestnotchoosehowtodie；Imustnotsparetheeanybitternessofdeath。Andwellitwereifthisjudgmentcamestraight—wayuponallwhodealtinlawlessdeeds，eventhejudgmentofthesword:soshouldnotwickednessabound。
（ORESTESandPYLADESdriveAEGISTHUSintothepalace。）
CHORUS（singing）
OhouseofAtreus，throughhowmanysufferingshastthoucomeforthatlastinfreedom，crownedwithgoodbythisday’senterprise！