Page:Electra of Euripides (Murray 1913).djvu/79

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ELECTRA
63

Electra.

Who shall do judgment, if thy father lies
Forgotten?


Orestes (turning suddenly to Electra).

Stay! How if some fiend of Hell,
Hid in God's likeness, spake that oracle?


Electra.

In God's own house? I trow not.


Orestes.

And I trow
It was an evil charge! [He moves away from her.


Electra (almost despairing).

To fail me now!
To fail me now! A coward!—O brother, no!


Orestes.

What shall it be, then? The same stealthy blow . . .


Electra.

That slew our father! Courage! thou hast slain
Aegisthus.


Orestes.

Aye. So be it.—I have ta'en
A path of many terrors: and shall do
Deeds horrible. 'Tis God will have it so. . . .
Is this the joy of battle, or wild woe?

[He goes into the house.