The Electra of Euripides - LightNovelsOnl.com
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ORESTES (_between_ ELECTRA _and the hut_).
Stay, Unhappy woman! Never fear my steel.
ELECTRA (_in utter panic_).
O bright Apollo! Mercy! See, I kneel; Slay me not.
ORESTES.
Others I have yet to slay Less dear than thou.
ELECTRA.
Go from me! Wouldst thou lay Hand on a body that is not for thee?
ORESTES.
None is there I would touch more righteously.
ELECTRA.
Why lurk'st thou by my house? And why a sword?
ORESTES.
Stay. Listen! Thou wilt not gainsay my word.
ELECTRA.
There--I am still. Do what thou wilt with me.
Thou art too strong.
ORESTES.
A word I bear to thee...
Word of thy brother.
ELECTRA.
Oh, friend! More than friend!
Living or dead?
ORESTES.
He lives; so let me send My comfort foremost, ere the rest be heard.
ELECTRA.
G.o.d love thee for the sweetness of thy word!
ORESTES.
G.o.d love the twain of us, both thee and me.
ELECTRA.
He lives! Poor brother! In what land weareth he His exile?
ORESTES.
Not one region nor one lot His wasted life hath trod.
ELECTRA.
He lacketh not For bread?
ORESTES.
Bread hath he; but a man is weak In exile.
ELECTRA.
What charge laid he on thee? Speak.
ORESTES.
To learn if thou still live, and how the storm, Living, hath struck thee.
ELECTRA.
That thou seest; this form Wasted...
ORESTES.
Yea, riven with the fire of woe.
I sigh to look on thee.
ELECTRA.
My face; and, lo, My temples of their ancient glory shorn.
ORESTES.
Methinks thy brother haunts thee, being forlorn; Aye, and perchance thy father, whom they slew...
ELECTRA.
What should be nearer to me than those two?
