Page:Tragedies of Sophocles (Plumptre 1878).djvu/303

Rh To hurl me from the wealth I now enjoy,

Suffer them not, but ever let me live

With life unharmed, and sway the Atreidæ's house,

And these their sceptres, dwelling with the friends

Whom now I dwell with, passing prosperous days

With all my children, who nor hatred bring

Nor bitter sorrow. This, Lykeian king,

Apollo, hear all pitiful, and grant

To all of us, as we implore thee now;

All else, though I be silent, I will deem

Thou, being a God, dost know. One well may think

The sons of Zeus see all things.

Attend. Might I know,

Ye ladies, if these dwellings that I see

Are those of King Ægisthos?

Chor. Even so!

Thou guessest well, Ο stranger.

Attend. Am I right

In once more guessing that his wife stands here?

For sure her mien bespeaks her sovereignty.

Chor. Right, more than ever. Lo, she standeth there.

Attend. All hail, Ο queen; I bring thee tidings good,

Thee and Ægisthos also, from a friend.

Clytem. I hail the omen; but I fain would know

This first, what man has sent thee here to us.

Attend. The Phokian Phanoteus, discharging thus

A weighty task.

Clytem. And what its nature, pray?

Tell me, Ο stranger; for right well I know

Thou from a friend wilt bring us friendly words.

Attend. Orestes. He is dead. That word tells all.

Elec. Ο wretched me! This day I perish too.