Part 16 (1/2)

ELECTRA

Like unto those my father's children wear.

CHORUS

Then is this lock Orestes' secret gift?

ELECTRA

Most like it is unto the curls he wore,

CHORUS

Yet how dared he to come unto his home?

ELECTRA

He hath but sent it, clipt to mourn his sire.

CHORUS

It is a sorrow grievous as his death, That he should live yet never dare return.

ELECTRA

Yea, and my heart o'erflows with gall of grief, And I am pierced as with a cleaving dart; Like to the first drops after drought, my tears Fall down at will, a bitter bursting tide, As on this lock I gaze; I cannot deem That any Argive save Orestes' self Was ever lord thereof; nor, well I wot, Hath she, the murd'ress, shorn and laid this lock To mourn him whom she slew--my mother she, Bearing no mother's heart, but to her race A loathing spirit, loathed itself of heaven!

Yet to affirm, as utterly made sure, That this adornment cometh of the hand Of mine Orestes, brother of my soul, I may not venture, yet hope flatters fair!

Ah well-a-day, that this dumb hair had voice To glad mine ears, as might a messenger, Bidding me sway no more 'twixt fear and hope, Clearly commanding, _Cast me hence away, Clipped was I from some head thou lovest not; Or, I am kin to thee, and here, as thou, I come to weep and deck our father's grave._ Aid me, ye G.o.ds! for well indeed ye know How in the gale and counter-gale of doubt, Like to the seaman's bark, we whirl and stray.

But, if G.o.d will our life, how strong shall spring, From seed how small, the new tree of our home!-- Lo ye, a second sign--these footsteps, look,-- Like to my own, a corresponsive print; And look, another footmark,--this his own, And that the foot of one who walked with him.

Mark, how the heel and tendons' print combine, Measured exact, with mine coincident!

Alas! for doubt and anguish rack my mind.

ORESTES (_approaching suddenly_)

Pray thou, in grat.i.tude for prayers fulfilled, _Fair fall the rest of what I ask of heaven_.

ELECTRA

Wherefore? what win I from the G.o.ds by prayer?

ORESTES

This, that thine eyes behold thy heart's desire.

ELECTRA

On whom of mortals know'st thou that I call?

ORESTES