Page:Tragedies of Sophocles (Jebb 1917).djvu/272

260 . Which of you, then, will tell those within that our company, long desired, hath arrived?

. This maiden,—if the nearest should announce it.

. I pray thee, mistress, make it known in the house that certain men of Phocis seek Aegisthus.

. Ah, woe is me! Surely ye are not bringing the visible proofs of that rumour which we heard?

. I know nothing of thy 'rumour'; but the aged Strophius charged me with tidings of Orestes.

. What are they, sir? Ah, how I thrill with fear!

. He is dead; and in a small urn, as thou seest, we bring the scanty relics home.

. Ah me unhappy! There, at last, before mine eyes, I see that woful burden in your hands!

. If thy tears are for aught which Orestes hath suffered, know that yonder vessel holds his dust.

. Ah, sir, allow me, then, I implore thee, if this urn indeed contains him, to take it in my hands,—that I may weep and wail, not for these ashes alone, but for myself and for all our house therewith!

. (to the attendants). Bring it and give it her, whoe'er she be; for she who begs this boon must be one who wished him no evil, but a friend, or haply a kinswoman in blood.

[The urn is placed in hands.

. Ah, memorial of him whom I loved best on earth! Ah, Orestes, whose life hath no relic left save this,—how far from the hopes with which I sent thee forth is the manner in which I receive thee back! Now I carry thy poor dust in my hands; but thou wert