Page:House of Atreus 2nd ed (1889).djvu/148

112 But Justice hath planted the anvil, and Destiny forgeth the sword

That shall smite in her chosen time; by her is the child restored;

And darkly devising, the Fiend of the house, world-cursed, will repay

The price of the blood of the slain, that was shed in the bygone day.

[''Enter Orestes and Pylades, in guise of travellers''.

What ho! slave, ho! I smite the palace gate

In vain, it seems; what ho, attend within,—

Once more, attend; come forth and ope the halls,

If yet Ægisthus holds them hospitable.

Anon, anon!

Speak, from what land art thou, and sent from whom?

Go, tell to them who rule the palace-halls,

Since 'tis to them I come with tidings new—

(Delay not—Night's dark car is speeding on,

And time is now for wayfarers to cast

Anchor in haven, wheresoe'er a house

Doth welcome strangers)—that there now come forth

Some one who holds authority within—

The queen, or, if some man, more seemly were it;

For when man standeth face to face with man,

No stammering modesty confounds their speech,

But each to each doth tell his meaning clear.

[Enter Clytemnestra.