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198 Hereafter may with gifts more bounteous come

To deck his grave than those we offer now.

I think, for one, I surely think that he

Has sent these dark, unsightly dreams to her;

But be this as it may, my sister, come

And do this service, for thyself and me,

Nor less for him, of all men most beloved,

Our father, now in Hades slumbering.

Chor. The maiden speaks with filial reverence;

And thou, dear friend, if thou art wise, wilt do

What so she counsels.

Chrys. I will do it then.

It is not meet with two to wrangle still,

Debating of the right, but haste and act.

But if I thus essay this enterprise,

By all the Gods, my friends, be hushed and still;

For if my mother hears it, well I trow

That what I dare will end full bitterly.

Chor. If wisdom fail me not,

As seer misled by doubtful auguries,

And wanting counsel wise,

She comes, true augur with foreshadowing tread,

Vengeance, with hands that bear

The might of righteousness:

She comes, my child, full soon, in hot pursuit:

And through my veins there springs a courage new,

Hearing but now these dreams

That come with favouring gale;

For he, thy father, King of all Hellenes,

Will not forget for aye,

Nor will that hatchet with its double edge,

Wrought out in bronze of old,