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CHR.
You take the sense of nothing that I say.

EL.
Long since, not newly, my resolve is firm.

CHR.
Then I will go. Thy heart will ne’er be brought
To praise my words, nor I thine action here.

EL.
Then go within! I will not follow thee,
Though thou desire it vehemently. None
Would be so fond to hunt on a cold trail.

CHR.
If this seem wisdom to thee, then be wise
Thy way: but in the hour of misery,
When it hath caught thee, thou wilt praise my words.

[Exit CHRYSOTHEMIS]

CHORUS.
Wise are the birds of air
That with true filial care
For those provide convenient food
Who gave them birth, who wrought their good.
Why will not men the like perfection prove?
Else, by the fires above,
And heavenly Rectitude,
Fierce recompense they shall not long elude.
O darkling rumour, world-o’er-wandering voice
That piercest to the shades beneath the ground,
To dead Atrides waft a sound
Of sad reproach, not bidding him rejoice.

Stained is the ancestral hall,
Broken the battle-call,
That heretofore his children twain
In loving concord did sustain.
Alone, deserted, vexed, Electra sails,
Storm-tossed with rugged gales,
Lamenting evermore
Like piteous Philomel, and pining sore
For her lost father;–might she but bring down
That two-fold Fury, caring not for death,
But ready to resign her breath,
What maid so worthy of a sire’s renown?

None who inherit from a noble race,
Complying with things base
Will let their ancient glory be defiled.
So ’twas thy choice, dear child,
Through homeless misery[9] to win a two-fold prize,
Purging the sin and shame[10]
That cloud the Argive name,
So to be called most noble and most wise.

May’st thou surpass thy foes in wealth and power
As o’er thee now they tower!
Since I have found thee, not in bright estate,
Nor blessed by wayward fate,
But through thy loyalty to Heaven’s eternal cause
Wearing the stainless crown
Of perfectest renown,
And richly dowered by the mightiest laws.

[Enter ORESTES and PYLADES, with the urn.]

OR.
Say, dames and damsels, have we heard aright,
And speed we to the goal of our desire?

CH.
And what desire or quest hath brought thee hither?

OR.
I seek Aegisthus’ dwelling all this while.

CH.
Welcome. The tongue that told thee hath no blame.

OR.
Which of you all will signify within
Our joint arrival,–not unwelcome here.

CH.
This maiden, if the nearest should report.

OR.
Mistress, wilt thou go yonder and make known,
That certain Phocians on Aegisthus wait?

EL.
Oh! can it be that you are come to bring
Clear proofs of the sad rumour we have heard?

OR.
I know not what ye have heard. Old Strophius
Charged me with tidings of Orestes’ fate.

EL.
What, stranger? How this terror steals on me!

OR.
Bearing scant remnants of his body dead
In this small vase thou seest, we bring them home.

EL.
O sorrow! thou art here: I see full well
That burden of my heart in present view.

OR.
If thou hast tears for aught Orestes suffered,
Know that he lies within this vessel’s room.

EL.
Ah, sir! by all in Heaven, if yonder urn
Hide him, ah! give it once into my hand,
That o’er that dust I may lament and mourn
Myself and mine own house and all our woe!