Some stranger, touch'd with pity, sheared his locks, Or native, by the tyrant's spies unmark'd. _Tut._ Where are these strangers? I would see them: much Touching thy brother wish I to inquire. _Elec._ See, from the house with hast'ning step they come. {599} _Re-enter Orestes and Pylades_: Conversation in which the aged Tutor eyes him curiously all over, and declares he is Orestes--general recognition and burst of joy.--Then they turn to vengeance, and in stichomuthic dialogue lay their plans. Aegisthus, the Tutor says, is to come to a neighboring field to celebrate a sacrifice; they lay a plan for Orestes and Pylades to gain admission as travellers and kill him in the moment of sacrifice. As to Clytaemnestra: a report is prevalent in the palace that Electra has given birth to a child; they conspire to give currency to the report and invite Clytaemnestra to perform the ten days' rite: once in the house, Orestes will do the dreadful deed; they tremble at their horrid tasks, but their father must be avenged.--_Exeunt Orestes and, his Attendants to the fields; and Electra to the Cottage_ begging the Chorus, who are privy to all this as confidential friends, to keep watch and summon her if news comes. {763} CHORAL INTERLUDE II _Strophe_ 1. The Argive mountains round, 'Mongst tales of ancient days From age to age recorded this remains: Tuned to mellifluous lays, Pan taught his pipe to sound, And as he breath'd the sprightly-swelling strains, The beauteous ram, with fleece of gold, God of shepherds, on he drove. The herald from the rock above Proclaims, "Your monarch's wonders to behold, "Wonders to sight, from which no terrors flow, "Go, Mycenaeans, to th' assembly go." With reverence they obey the call, And fill th' Atridae's spacious hall. _Antis._ Its gates with gold o'erlaid, Wide oped each Argive shrine, And from the altar hallow'd flames arise; Amidst the rites divine, Joying the Muse to aid, Breath'd the brisk pipe its sweet notes to the skies; Accordant to the tuneful strain Swell'd the loud acclaiming voice, Now with Thyestes to rejoice: He, all on fire the glorious prize to gain, With secret love the wife of Atreus won, And thus the shining wonder made his own; Then to the assembly vaunting cried, "Mine is the rich Ram's golden pride."