Page:Electra of Euripides (Murray 1913).djvu/96

80 Shall bear to burial in a high green grave

Of Argos. For thy mother, she shall have

Her tomb from Menelaus, who hath come

This day, at last, to Argos, bearing home

Helen. From Egypt comes she, and the hall

Of Proteus, and in Troy hath ne'er at all

Set foot. 'Twas but a wraith of Helen, sent

By Zeus, to make much wrath and ravishment.

So forth for home, bearing the virgin bride,

Let Pylades make speed, and lead beside

Thy once-named brother, and with golden store

Stablish his house far off on Phocis' shore.

Up, gird thee now to the steep Isthmian way,

Seeking Athena's blessèd rock; one day,

Thy doom of blood fulfilled and this long stress

Of penance past, thou shalt have happiness.

Is it for us, O Seed of Zeus,

To speak and hear your words again?

Castor. Speak: of this blood ye bear no stain.

Electra. I also, sons of Tyndareus,

My kinsmen; may my word be said?

Castor. Speak: on Apollo's head we lay

The bloody doings of this day.

Leader. Ye Gods, ye brethren of the dead,

Why held ye not the deathly herd

Of Kêres back from off this home?

Castor. There came but that which needs must come

By ancient Fate and that dark word