Page:Tragedies of Euripides (Way 1898) v3.djvu/225

Rh To heaven I tell—if aught of cure be there.

In sleep methought I had escaped this land,

And dwelt in Argos. Midst my maiden train

I slept: then with an earthquake shook the ground.

I fled, I stood without, the cornice saw

Of the roof falling,—then, all crashing down,

Turret and basement, hurled was the house to earth.

One only column, as meseemed, was left

Of my sires' halls; this from its capital

Streamed golden hair, and spake with human voice.

Then I, my wonted stranger-slaughtering rite

Observing, sprinkled it, as doomed to death,

Weeping. Now thus I read this dream of mine:

Dead is Orestes—him I sacrificed;

Seeing the pillars of a house be sons,

And they die upon whom my sprinklings fall.

None other friend can I match with my dream;

For on my death-day Strophius had no son.

Now then will I, here, pour drink-offerings

Unto my brother there,—'tis all I can,—

I with mine handmaids, given me of the king,

Greek damsels. But for some cause are they here

Not yet: within the portals will I pass

Of this, the Goddess' shrine, wherein I dwell.

[Re-enters temple.

Enter Orestes and Pylades.

Look thou—take heed that none be in the path.