The ever-virgin One,
I shall not deign to dread1240
Those women there within,
With worthless burden still
Cumbering the ground.
Ores. See to it, for in women too there lives
The strength of battle. Thou hast proved it well.
Εlec. [Sobbing.] Ah, ah! Ah me!
There thou hast touched upon a woe unveiled,
That knows no healing, no,
Nor ever may be hid.1250
Ores. I know it well. But, when occasion bids,
Then should we call those deeds to memory.
Elec. All time for me is fit,
Yea, all, to speak of this,
With wrath as it deserves;
Till now I had scant liberty of speech.
Ores. There we are one. Preserve, then, what thou hast.
Elec. And what, then, shall I do?
Ores. When time serves not,
Speak not o'ermuch.
Elec. And who then worthily,1260
Now thou art come, would choose
Silence instead of speech?
For lo! I see thee now unlooked, unhoped for.
Ores. Then thou did'st see me here,
When the Gods urged my coming.
Elec. Thou hast said
What mounts yet higher than thy former boon,
If God has sent thee forth
To this our home; I deem1270
The work as Heaven's own deed.
Ores. Loth am I to restrain thee in thy joy,
