Page:Sophocles (Storr 1919) v2.djvu/169



If needs be, in a father’s cause I’ll fall.

I trust our father pardons us for this.

Traitors take refuge in like sentiments.

Thou wilt not heed then or be ruled by me?

I am not in my dotage, save the mark!

Then I will do my errand.

Whither away?

For whom art carrying these burnt offerings?

My mother bids me crown our father’s grave.

Her mortal enemy’s! How sayest thou?

The husband whom she slew, so thou wouldst say.

Which of her friends advised her? whence this whim?

A nightly vision warned her, so I think.

Gods of my fathers, aid me in this pass!

Dost thou take heart of courage from her dread?

Before I answer let me hear the dream. 157