Page:Tragedies of Euripides (Way 1896) v2.djvu/257

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Now, more than heretofore, Electra, glows

Mine heart with joy. Thy fortune now, though late

Advancing, haply shall be stablished fair.

Poor man, thou know'st thine house's poverty.

Wherefore receive these guests too great for thee?

How?—an they be of high birth, as they seem,

Will they content them not with little or much?

Since then thou so hast erred, and thou so poor,

Go to the ancient fosterer of my sire,

Who on the banks of Tanaüs, which parts

The Argive marches from the Spartan land,

An outcast from our city, tends his flocks.

Bid him to wend home straightway, and to come

And furnish somewhat for the strangers' meat.

He shall rejoice, yea, render thanks to heaven,

To hear how lives the child whom once he saved.

For of my mother from my father's halls

Nought should we gain: our tidings should we rue

If that wretch heard that yet Orestes lives.

If thus thou wilt, thy message will I bear

To yon grey sire: but pass thou in with speed,