Page:Sophocles - Seven Plays, 1900.djvu/195

1090–1123]

May’st thou surpass thy foes in wealth and power

As o’er thee now they tower!

Since I have found thee, not in bright estate,

Nor blessed by wayward fate,

But through thy loyalty to Heaven’s eternal cause

Wearing the stainless crown

Of perfectest renown,

And richly dowered by the mightiest laws.

. Say, dames and damsels, have we heard aright,

And speed we to the goal of our desire?

. And what desire or quest hath brought thee hither?

. I seek Aegisthus’ dwelling all this while.

. Welcome. The tongue that told thee hath no blame.

. Which of you all will signify within

Our joint arrival,—not unwelcome here.

. This maiden, if the nearest should report.

. Mistress, wilt thou go yonder and make known,

That certain Phocians on Aegisthus wait?

. Oh! can it be that you are come to bring

Clear proofs of the sad rumour we have heard?

. I know not what ye have heard. Old Strophius

Charged me with tidings of Orestes’ fate.

. What, stranger? How this terror steals on me!

. Bearing scant remnants of his body dead

In this small vase thou seest, we bring them home.

. O sorrow! thou art here: I see full well

That burden of my heart in present view.

. If thou hast tears for aught Orestes suffered, Know that he lies within this vessel’s room.

. Ah, sir! by all in Heaven, if yonder urn

Hide him, ah! give it once into my hand,

That o’er that dust I may lament and mourn

Myself and mine own house and all our woe!

. Bring it and give her, whosoe’er she be.