Page:Electra of Euripides (Murray 1913).djvu/43

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Now know'st thou not thine own ill furniture,

To bid these strangers in, to whom for sure

Our best were hardship, men of gentle breed?

Nay, if the men be gentle, as indeed

I deem them, they will take good cheer or ill

With even kindness.

'Twas ill done; but still—

Go, since so poor thou art, to that old friend

Who reared my father. At the realm's last end

He dwells, where Tanaos river foams between

Argos and Sparta. Long time hath he been

An exile 'mid his flocks. Tell him what thing

Hath chanced on me, and bid him haste and bring

Meat for the strangers' tending.—Glad, I trow,

That old man's heart will be, and many a vow

Will lift to God, to learn the child he stole

From death, yet breathes.—I will not ask a dole

From home; how should my mother help me? Nay,

I pity him that seeks that door, to say

Orestes liveth!

Wilt thou have it so?

I will take word to the old man. But go

Quickly within, and whatso there thou find

Set out for them. A woman, if her mind

So turn, can light on many a pleasant thing

To fill her board. And surely plenishing

We have for this one day.—'Tis in such shifts