Page:Electra of Euripides (Murray 1913).djvu/96

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80
EURIPIDES

Shall bear to burial in a high green grave
Of Argos. For thy mother, she shall have
Her tomb from Menelaus, who hath come
This day, at last, to Argos, bearing home
Helen. From Egypt comes she, and the hall
Of Proteus, and in Troy hath ne'er at all
Set foot. 'Twas but a wraith of Helen, sent
By Zeus, to make much wrath and ravishment.
So forth for home, bearing the virgin bride,
Let Pylades make speed, and lead beside
Thy once-named brother, and with golden store
Stablish his house far off on Phocis' shore.
Up, gird thee now to the steep Isthmian way,
Seeking Athena's blessèd rock; one day,
Thy doom of blood fulfilled and this long stress
Of penance past, thou shalt have happiness.


Leader (looking up).

Is it for us, O Seed of Zeus,
To speak and hear your words again?
Castor.Speak: of this blood ye bear no stain.
Electra.I also, sons of Tyndareus,

My kinsmen; may my word be said?
Castor.Speak: on Apollo's head we lay
The bloody doings of this day.
Leader.Ye Gods, ye brethren of the dead,

Why held ye not the deathly herd
Of Kêres back from off this home?
Castor.There came but that which needs must come
By ancient Fate and that dark word