Page:Choëphoroe (Murray 1923).djvu/44

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THE CHOËPHOROE
498–515

Electra.

Yet one last cry: O Father, hear and save!
Pity thy children cast upon thy grave:
The woman pity, and the weeping man.


Orestes.

And blot not out the old race that began
With Pelops: and though slain thou art not dead!


Electra.

Children are living voices for a head
Long silent, floats which hold the net and keep
The twisted line unfoundered in the deep.


Orestes.

Listen: 'tis thou we weep for, none but thou:
Thyself art savèd if thou save us now.


Leader.

Behold, ye have made a long and yearning praise,
This sepulchre for unlamented days
Requiting to the full. And for the rest,
Seeing now thine heart is lifted on the crest
Of courage, get thee to the deed, and see
What power the Daemon hath which guardeth thee.


Orestes.

So be it. Yet methinks to know one thing
Were well. Why sent she this drink-offering?
Hoped she by late atonement to undo

That wrong eternal? A vain comfort, too,

40