And her, Electra, offspring sire-bereft,
Thus doomed to common exile from our home.
Electra.
And if of sire who greatly honoured thee
With many a sacrifice, thou slay the brood,
Whence, from like hand, wilt festive gifts obtain?
As none, if thou the eaglets slay, henceforth 250
To mortals will thy trusty omens bear;
Nor, if all withered, shall this royal stock,
On sacrificial days, support thine altars.
O foster it, and raise, from low estate,
A house which now seems fallen utterly.
Chorus.
Oh children, Saviours of your father's hearth,
Forbear, lest some one should o'erhear your words
And all, with gossip-loving tongue, rehearse
To those in power; whom dead I fain would see
Blazing 'mid spirting pine-wood's pitchy brands. 260
Orestes.
Of Loxias the mighty oracle
Will not betray me, urging me to brave
This peril, oft exhorting me, and 'gainst
My inmost reins tempestuous ills denouncing,
Failed I to chase my father's murderers.
Stript bare and goaded on by forfeiture,
He bade me slay them as my sire they slew,
Declaring I should else atonement make
With my own life and many grievous woes.
