Enquiring of Chorus he finds he is arrived before the people he is seeking, and announces to Clytaemnestra that Orestes is dead. _Electra_ utters a wail of agony, while _Clyt._ asks for particulars. Then follows the regular 'Messenger's Speech,' a detailed and graphic account of a chariot race, in which he was thrown and killed.--_Clyt._ trembles between joy at deliverance from her suspense, and a touch of motherly feeling; still she triumphs over the now hopeless Electra: for him, what is is well. _Elec._ Hear this, thou Power avenging him who died! _Clyt._ Right well she heard, and what she heard hath wrought. The Messenger is taken into the Palace, _Electra_ left to wail without, with attempt of Chorus to condole (_lyric concerto_). {870} _Enter from Tomb of Agamemnon Chrysothemis jubilant and bearing a lock of hair of Orestes._ She eagerly insists that Orestes is come; shows the lock and describes the libations that no other would pour on that tomb. Bit by bit _Electra_ checks her joy, and informs her of the news. They mourn together, till Electra breaks out with proposal, that since their friends are snatched from them, and they two are left alone, they shall themselves work their revenge; that will be the safest and will bring glory: 'the sisters twain who saved their father's house.'--_Chor._ This requires consideration.--_Chry_. Will you never learn that you are a woman and not a man? _Elec._ then declares she will do it herself, and after a stichomuthic contest _exit Chrysothemis_. {1057} CHORAL INTERLUDE II _In two Strophes and Antistrophes._ The storks show a pattern of filial piety: why do not men follow it? By Zeus and Themis there is a punishment for the unfilial; may the voice crying for vengeance reach the sons of Atreus below! Their house is full of woe; Electra, alone faithful, is ready to face death if only she may destroy the twin furies. The great and good will purchase glory with life; so may'st thou prevail and gain the name of the best of daughters. {1096} EPISODE III _Enter from Distance-door Orestes, Pylades and Attendants._ Orestes informs the Chorus, and Electra as one of the household, that they bear the urn containing the ashes of Orestes, whose death they had sent forward a messenger to announce. Electra begs to clasp the urn and pours over it a flood of grief; here is nothingness to represent the dear boy she sent out in bloom of youth; and all her forethought has perished! And he died amid strangers without her to take part in the funeral rites! All her sweet toil in nursing him with more than mother's love is gone! All is gone--father, mother, brother! She would go too; they ever shared an equal lot; now let her go to him, ashes to ashes! {1170}