Page:Electra of Euripides (Murray 1913).djvu/69

Rh Here to the Nymphs. Set forth at break of day

To-morrow, and 'twill cost you no delay.

But come"—and so he gave his hand, and led

The two men in—"I must not be gainsaid;

Come to the house. Ho, there; set close at hand

Vats of pure water, that the guests may stand

At the altar's verge, where falls the holy spray."

Then quickly spake Orestes: "By the way

We cleansed us in a torrent stream. We need

No purifying here. But if indeed

Strangers may share thy worship, here are we

Ready, O King, and swift to follow thee."

So spoke they in the midst. And every thrall

Laid down the spears they served the King withal,

And hied him to the work. Some bore amain

The death-vat, some the corbs of hallowed grain;

Or kindled fire, and round the fire and in

Set cauldrons foaming; and a festal din

Filled all the place. Then took thy mother's lord

The ritual grains, and o'er the altar poured

Its due, and prayed: "O Nymphs of Rock and Mere,

With many a sacrifice for many a year,

May I and she who waits at home for me,

My Tyndarid Queen, adore you. May it be

Peace with us always, even as now; and all

Ill to mine enemies"—meaning withal

Thee and Orestes. Then my master prayed

Against that prayer, but silently, and said

No word, to win once more his fatherland.

Then in the corb Aegisthus set his hand,

Took the straight blade, cut from the proud bull's head

A lock, and laid it where the fire was red;