The Electra of Euripides - LightNovelsOnl.com
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OLD MAN.
Thralls, thralls; who ne'er have seen thy face.
ORESTES.
Once I prevail, the thralls will welcome me!
OLD MAN.
The slaves' way, that; and no ill thing for thee!
ORESTES.
How can I once come near him?
OLD MAN.
Walk thy ways Hard by, where he may see thee, ere he slays His sacrifice.
ORESTES.
How? Is the road so nigh?
OLD MAN.
He cannot choose but see thee, pa.s.sing by, And bid thee stay to share the beast they kill.
ORESTES.
A bitter fellow-feaster, if G.o.d will!
OLD MAN.
And then ... then swift be heart and brain, to see G.o.d's chances!
ORESTES.
Aye. Well hast thou counselled me.
But ... where is she?
OLD MAN.
In Argos now, I guess; But goes to join her husband, ere the press Of the feast.
ORESTES.
Why goeth not my mother straight Forth at her husband's side?
OLD MAN.
She fain will wait Until the gathered country-folk be gone.
ORESTES.
Enough! She knows what eyes are turned upon Her pa.s.sings in the land!
OLD MAN.
Aye, all men hate The unholy woman.
ORESTES.
How then can I set My snare for wife and husband in one breath?
ELECTRA (_coming forward_).
Hold! It is I must work our mother's death.
ORESTES.
If that be done, I think the other deed Fortune will guide.
ELECTRA.
This man must help our need, One friend alone for both.
OLD MAN.
He will, he will!
Speak on. What cunning hast thou found to fill Thy purpose?
ELECTRA.
Get thee forth, Old Man, and quick Tell Clytemnestra ... tell her I lie sick, New-mothered of a man-child.
OLD MAN.
Thou hast borne A son! But when?
ELECTRA.
Let this be the tenth morn.
Till then a mother stays in sanct.i.ty, Unseen.
OLD MAN.
And if I tell her, where shall be The death in this?
