Page:Tragedies of Euripides (Way 1898) v3.djvu/189

Rh Albeit in body woman manifest,

How worthier far art thou to live than die!

Such woman, Pylades, shalt thou, alas!

Forfeit, or living win in wedlock blest.

God grant it so, that to the Phocians' burg

She come, for honour meet of spousals proud!

But to the house when comes Hermionê?

For all that thou hast said is passing well,

So we may take this impious father's whelp.

In sooth, I ween, she is nigh the palace now,

For the time's lapse runs consonant thereto.

'Tis well. Sister Electra, tarry thou

Before the halls to meet the maiden's steps.

Keep watch lest any,—brother of our sire,

Or ally—ere this deed be wrought, draw near

The house, forestalling us. Give token thou—

Smite on the door, or send a cry within.

Now pass we in, and for this latest strife

Arm we our hands with falchions, Pylades:

For thou art fellow-toiler in my toil.

Father, who dwellest in dark halls of night,

Thy son Orestes bids thee come to help