Page:Tragedies of Euripides (Way 1896) v2.djvu/273

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ELECTRA.
217

Electra.

Grant for our father vengeance upon these!


Orestes.

Father, by foul wrong dweller 'neath the earth,
And thou, Earth, Queen, on whom I lay mine hands,
Help, help us, these thy children best-beloved.


Electra.

Now come thou, bringing all the dead to aid, 680
All them whose spears with thee laid Phrygians low,
And all which hate defilers impious!


Orestes.

Hear'st thou, O foully-entreated of my mother?


Electra.

Our sire hears all, I know:—but time bids forth.
And for this cause I warn thee, die he must,— 685
If thou, o'ermastered, fall a deadly fall,[1]
I die too; count me then no more alive:
For I with sword twin-edged will pierce mine heart.
Now pass I in, to set in order all,
That, if there come fair tidings touching thee, 690
The house may shout its joy: but, if thou die,
Far other shall betide. Thus charge I thee.


Orestes.

All know I.


Electra.

Wherefore must thou play the man.
And ye, girls, beacon-like raise signal-cry

  1. Metaphor from wrestling—"art overthrown in death."