Page:Sophocles - Seven Plays, 1900.djvu/183

657–689]

More is there, which, though I be silent here,

A God should understand. No secret thing

Is hidden from the all-seeing sons of Heaven.

. Kind dames and damsels, may I clearly know

If these be King Aegisthus’ palace-halls?

. They are, sir; you yourself have guessed aright.

. May I guess further that in yonder dame

I see his queen? She looks right royally.

. ’Tis she,—no other,—whom your eyes behold.

. Princess, all hail! To thee and to thy spouse

I come with words of gladness from a friend.

. That auspice I accept. But I would first

Learn from thee who of men hath sent thee forth?

. Phanoteus the Phocian, with a charge of weight.

. Declare it, stranger. Coming from a friend,

Thou bring’st us friendly tidings, I feel sure.

. Orestes’ death. Ye have the sum in brief.

. Ah me! undone! This day hath ruined me.

. What? Let me hear again. Regard her not.

. Again I say it, Orestes is no more.

. Undone! undone! Farewell to life and hope!

. (to ). See thou to thine own case!

(To Old Man) Now, stranger, tell me

In true discourse the manner of his death.

. For that I am here, and I will tell the whole.

He, entering on the great arena famed

As Hellas’ pride, to win a Delphian prize,

On hearing the loud summons of the man

Calling the foot-race, which hath trial first,

Came forward, a bright form, admired by all.

And when his prowess in the course fulfilled

The promise of his form, he issued forth

Dowered with the splendid meed of victory.—

To tell a few out of the many feats

Of such a hero were beyond my power.