PYLADES. Perform what they command, and wait the event. Do thou Apollo's sister bear from hence, That they at Delphi may united dwell, Rever'd and honour'd by a noble race: Thee, for this deed, the heav'nly pair will view With gracious eye, and from the hateful grasp Of the infernal Powers will rescue thee. E'en now none dares intrude within this grove. ORESTES. So shall I die at least a peaceful death. PYLADES. Far other are my thoughts, and not unskill'd Have I the future and the past combin'd In quiet meditation. Long, perchance, Hath ripen'd in the counsel of the gods The great event. Diana wish'd to leave This savage region foul with human blood. We were selected for the high emprize; To us it is assign'd, and strangely thus We are conducted to the threshold here. ORESTES. My friend, with wondrous skill thou link'st thy wish With the predestin'd purpose of the gods. PYLADES. Of what avail is prudence, if it fail Heedful to mark the purposes of Heaven? A noble man, who much hath sinn'd, some god Doth summon to a dangerous enterprize, Which to achieve appears impossible. The hero conquers, and atoning serves Mortals and gods, who thenceforth honour him. ORESTES. Am I foredoom'd to action and to life, Would that a god from my distemper'd brain Might chase this dizzy fever, which impels My restless steps along a slipp'ry path, Stain'd with a mother's blood, to direful death; And pitying, dry the fountain, whence the blood, For ever spouting from a mother's wounds, Eternally defiles me! PYLADES. Wait in peace! Thou dost increase the evil, and dost take The office of the Furies on thyself. Let me contrive,--be still! And when at length The time for action claims our powers combin'd, Then will I summon thee, and on we'll stride, With cautious boldness to achieve the event. ORESTES. I hear Ulysses speak! PYLADES. Nay, mock me not. Each must select the hero after whom To climb the steep and difficult ascent Of high Olympus. And to me it seems That him nor stratagem nor art defile Who consecrates himself to noble deeds. ORESTES. I most esteem the brave and upright man.