Page:Electra of Euripides (Murray 1913).djvu/71

Rh Up with a leap thy brother flashed the sword,

Then down upon his neck, and cleft the cord

Of brain and spine. Shuddering the body stood

One instant in an agony of blood,

And gasped and fell. The henchmen saw, and straight

Flew to their spears, a host of them to set

Against those twain. But there the twain did stand

Unfaltering, each his iron in his hand,

Edge fronting edge. Till "Hold," Orestes calls:

"I come not as in wrath against these walls

And mine own people. One man righteously

I have slain, who slew my father. It is I,

The wronged Orestes! Hold, and smite me not,

Old housefolk of my father!" When they caught

That name, their lances fell. And one old man,

An ancient in the house, drew nigh to scan

His face, and knew him. Then with one accord

They crowned thy brother's temples, and outpoured

Joy and loud songs. And hither now he fares

To show the head, no Gorgon, that he bears,

But that Aegisthus whom thou hatest! Yea,

Blood against blood, his debt is paid this day.

[He goes off" to meet the others— stands as though stupefied.

Now, now thou shalt dance in our dances,

Beloved, as a fawn in the night!

The wind is astir for the glances

Of thy feet; thou art robed with delight.