Part 15 (1/2)
Right well in this too hast thou schooled my thought.
CHORUS
Mindfully, next, on those who shed the blood--
ELECTRA
Pray on them what? expound, instruct my doubt.
CHORUS
This; _Upon them some G.o.d or mortal come_----
ELECTRA
As judge or as avenger? speak thy thought.
CHORUS
Pray in set terms, _Who shall the slayer slay_.
ELECTRA
Beseemeth it to ask such boon of heaven?
CHORUS
How not, to wreak a wrong upon a foe?
ELECTRA
O mighty Hermes, warder of the shades, Herald of upper and of under world, Proclaim and usher down my prayer's appeal Unto the G.o.ds below, that they with eyes Watchful behold these halls, my sire's of old-- And unto Earth, the mother of all things, And foster-nurse, and womb that takes their seed.
Lo, I that pour these draughts for men now dead, Call on my father, who yet holds in ruth Me and mine own Orestes, _Father, speak-- How shall thy children rule thine halls again?
Homeless we are and sold; and she who sold Is she who bore us; and the price she took Is he who joined with her to work thy death_, _Aegisthus, her new lord. Behold me here Brought down to slave's estate, and far away Wanders Orestes, banished from the wealth That once was thine, the profit of thy care, Whereon these revel in a shameful joy.
Father, my prayer is said; 'tis thine to hear-- Grant that some fair fate bring Orestes home, And unto me grant these--a purer soul Than is my mother's, a more stainless hand._
These be my prayers for us; for thee, O sire, I cry that one may come to smite thy foes, And that the slayers may in turn be slain.
Cursed is their prayer, and thus I bar its path, Praying mine own, a counter-curse on them.
And thou, send up to us the righteous boon For which we pray: thine aids be heaven and earth, And justice guide the right to victory,
[_To the Chorus_
Thus have I prayed, and thus I shed these streams, And follow ye the wont, and as with flowers Crown ye with many a tear and cry the dirge, Your lips ring out above the dead man's grave.
[_She pours the libations_.
CHORUS
Woe, woe, woe!