Chorus.
Say plainly, who shall death with death requite.
Electra.
May I the gods thus pray nor impious be?
Chorus.
How not requite an enemy with ill?
Electra.
Of powers above the earth and powers below
Herald supreme, escorter of the shades,
Hermes, now summon to attend my prayer
The guardians of my father's house, dread powers,
Throned in the nether world, and mother Earth, 120
Who all things bringeth forth, who fosters all,
And doth of all receive again the germ.
And I, libations pouring to the dead,
Thus pray, my Sire invoking;—"Pity me,
And dear Orestes pity;—how shall we
Rule in our palace-home? for sold, alas!
By her who bare us, we as outcasts stray;
While, for Ægisthos, 'complice in thy death,
Her lord she bartered;—slavish is my lot,
Orestes exiled from his wealth, the while
Revel the twain, exulting in thy toils. 130
That home Orestes may at length return,
By glad success escorted, I implore.
Give ear, and grant me, Father, to become
Sounder of mind by far than is my mother,
With hands more pure. For us these orisons;
