Third Episode

LEADER.Ha, friends, was that a voice? Or some dream soundOf voices shaketh me, as undergroundGod's thunder shuddering? Hark, again, and clear!It swells upon the wind.--Come forth and hear!Mistress, Electra!

(ELECTRA, a bare sword in her hand, comes from the house.)

ELECTRA.Friends! Some news is brought?How hath the battle ended?

LEADER.I know naught.There seemed a cry as of men massacred!

ELECTRA.I heard it too. Far off, but still I heard.

LEADER.A distant floating voice ... Ah, plainer now!

ELECTRA.Of Argive anguish!--Brother, is it thou?

LEADER.I know not. Many confused voices cry...

ELECTRA.Death, then for me! That answer bids me die.

LEADER.Nay, wait! We know not yet thy fortune. Wait!

ELECTRA.No messenger from him!--Too late, too late!

LEADER.The message yet will come. 'Tis not a thingSo light of compass, to strike down a king.

(Enter a MESSENGER, running.)

MESSENGER.Victory, Maids of Argos, Victory!Orestes ... all that love him, list to me!...Hath conquered! Agamemnon's murderer liesDead! O give thanks to God with happy cries!

ELECTRA.Who art thou? I mistrust thee.... 'Tis a plot!

MESSENGER.Thy brother's man. Look well. Dost know me not?

ELECTRA.Friend, friend; my terror made me not to seeThy visage. Now I know and welcome thee.How sayst thou? He is dead, verily dead,My father's murderer...?

MESSENGER.Shall it be saidOnce more? I know again and yet againThy heart would hear. Aegisthus lieth slain!

ELECTRA.Ye Gods! And thou, O Right, that seest all,Art come at last?... But speak; how did he fall?How swooped the wing of death?... I crave to hear.

MESSENGER.Forth of this hut we set our faces clearTo the world, and struck the open chariot road;Then on toward the pasture lands, where stoodThe great Lord of Mycenae. In a setGarden beside a channelled rivulet,Culling a myrtle garland for his brow,He walked: but hailed us as we passed: "How now,Strangers! Who are ye? Of what city sprung,And whither bound?" "Thessalians," answered youngOrestes: "to Alpheüs journeying,With gifts to Olympian Zeus." Whereat the king:"This while, beseech you, tarry, and make fullThe feast upon my hearth. We slay a bullHere to the Nymphs. Set forth at break of dayTo-morrow, and 'twill cost you no delay.But come"--and so he gave his hand, and ledThe two men in--"I must not be gainsaid;Come to the house. Ho, there; set close at handVats of pure water, that the guests may standAt the altar's verge, where falls the holy spray."Then quickly spake Orestes: "By the wayWe cleansed us in a torrent stream. We needNo purifying here. But if indeedStrangers may share thy worship, here are weReady, O King, and swift to follow thee."

So spoke they in the midst. And every thrallLaid down the spears they served the King withal,And hied him to the work. Some bore amainThe death-vat, some the corbs of hallowed grain;Or kindled fire, and round the fire and inSet cauldrons foaming; and a festal dinFilled all the place. Then took thy mother's lordThe ritual grains, and o'er the altar pouredIts due, and prayed: "O Nymphs of Rock and Mere,With many a sacrifice for many a year,May I and she who waits at home for me,My Tyndarid Queen, adore you. May it bePeace with us always, even as now; and allIll to mine enemies"--meaning withalThee and Orestes. Then my master prayedAgainst that prayer, but silently, and saidNo word, to win once more his fatherland.Then in the corb Aegisthus set his hand,Took the straight blade, cut from the proud bull's headA lock, and laid it where the fire was red;Then, while the young men held the bull on high,Slew it with one clean gash; and suddenlyTurned on thy brother: "Stranger, every trueThessalian, so the story goes, can hewA bull's limbs clean, and tame a mountain steed.Take up the steel, and show us if indeedRumour speak true," Right swift Orestes tookThe Dorian blade, back from his shoulders shookHis broochèd mantle, called on PyladesTo aid him, and waved back the thralls. With easeHeelwise he held the bull, and with one glideBared the white limb; then stripped the mighty hideFrom off him, swifter than a runner runsHis furlongs, and laid clean the flank. At onceAegisthus stooped, and lifted up with careThe ominous parts, and gazed. No lobe was there;But lo, strange caves of gall, and, darkly raised,The portal vein boded to him that gazedFell visitations. Dark as night his browClouded. Then spake Orestes: "Why art thouCast down so sudden?" "Guest," he cried, "there beTreasons from whence I know not, seeking me.Of all my foes, 'tis Agamemnon's son;His hate is on my house, like war." "Have done!"Orestes cried: "thou fear'st an exile's plot,Lord of a city? Make thy cold heart hotWith meat.--Ho, fling me a Thessalian steel!This Dorian is too light. I will unsealThe breast of him." He took the heavier blade,And clave the bone. And there Aegisthus stayed,The omens in his hand, dividing slowThis sign from that; till, while his head bent low,Up with a leap thy brother flashed the sword,Then down upon his neck, and cleft the cordOf brain and spine. Shuddering the body stoodOne instant in an agony of blood,And gasped and fell. The henchmen saw, and straightFlew to their spears, a host of them to setAgainst those twain. But there the twain did standUnfaltering, each his iron in his hand,Edge fronting edge. Till "Hold," Orestes calls:"I come not as in wrath against these wallsAnd mine own people. One man righteouslyI have slain, who slew my father. It is I,The wronged Orestes! Hold, and smite me not,Old housefolk of my father!" When they caughtThat name, their lances fell. And one old man,An ancient in the house, drew nigh to scanHis face, and knew him. Then with one accordThey crowned thy brother's temples, and outpouredjoy and loud songs. And hither now he faresTo show the head, no Gorgon, that he bears,But that Aegisthus whom thou hatest! Yea,Blood against blood, his debt is paid this day.

(He goes off to meet the others--ELECTRA stands as though stupefied.)